Is Masquerade Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Masquerade is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 91 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Masquerade Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1988, Masquerade emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Romance, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A recently orphaned heiress meets a young racing yacht captain on Long Island. Unlike standard genre fare, Masquerade attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Masquerade features a noteworthy lineup led by Rob Lowe . Supported by the likes of Meg Tilly and Kim Cattrall , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Masquerade (1988) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Masquerade Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Masquerade is a Drama, Romance, Thriller film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Masquerade Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Masquerade attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Masquerade reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Masquerade?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of Masquerade
- Rob Lowe – Tim Whalen
- Meg Tilly – Olivia Lawrence
- Kim Cattrall – Brooke Morrison
- Doug Savant – Mike McGill
- John Glover – Tony Gateworth
Top Highlights
Rob LoweTim Whalen
Meg TillyOlivia Lawrence
Kim CattrallBrooke Morrison
Doug SavantMike McGill
John GloverTony Gateworth
Dana DelanyAnne Briscoe
Bruce TuthillLt. Wacker
Brian DaviesGranger Morrison
Barton HeymanTommy McGill
Bernie McInerneyHarland Fitzgerald
Where to Watch Masquerade Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVParents Guide & Age Rating
Masquerade is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence, romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.6/10, and global collection metrics, Masquerade stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1988 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masquerade movie hit or flop?
Masquerade has received mixed reviews with a 5.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Masquerade worth watching?
Masquerade is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Romance, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Masquerade online?
Masquerade may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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How Masquerade Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Masquerade
"Masquerade" is a perfect piece of entertainment which has been heavily influenced by and made in the spirit of the classic film noir from the 1940's, although with some additional modern day factors - sex and violence and some nudity - to help attract an audience. The closing moments of this film are also very arresting, especially when we discover the revelation that no matter how their relationship may have begun Tim (Rob Lowe) really did fall in love with Olivia (Meg Tilly) and not just her money and as you would expect this incredibly well paced film - like many others preceding it - benefits greatly from John Barry's haunting musical score which has been beautifully tinged with a memorably subtle and a genuinely heartfelt melancholia.
**_Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to…_** A wealthy heiress in the Hamptons (Meg Tilly) falls for a handsome yacht captain (Rob Lowe), but there are human vultures seeking her fortune. John Glover plays her jerk stepfather while Doug Savant is on hand as a friend from her youth who’s also a local police officer. "Masquerade" (1988) is a ‘hip’ drama/romance with crime thrills and sweet Long Island locations, not to mention sailing sequences. It bombed at the box office because the studio was in chaos and the president’s wife hated “all that sex,” which resulted in Lowe not starring in another studio film for years. Aside from Meg on the female front, there’s Kim Cattrall as the yacht-owner’s adulterous wife and Dana Delany as the girlfriend of the stepfather. There are a couple of R-rated sex sequences and the corresponding nudity. As a plus, there’s a good message on the power of love to redeem a person from corruption. But there’s just so much duplicity going on it’s hard to relate to most of the characters. It’s almost comical how the heiress remains blitheful while evil people are swooping all around her. More reality and less movie-isms would’ve made for a better film. Still, it’s worth checking out if the above piques your interest. It runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot on Long Island (Riverhead, Sag Harbor, Shelter Island, Southampton Village and Broadview) with some bits in Manhattan. GRADE: B-
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