Shakedown
Shakedown Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Movie Overview: Shakedown
| Movie | Shakedown |
| Release Year | 1988 |
| Director | James Glickenhaus |
| Genre | Action / Crime / Drama / Thriller / Mystery |
| Runtime | 93 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Shakedown (1988) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Shakedown are led by Peter Weller . The supporting cast, including Sam Elliott and Patricia Charbonneau , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Shakedown does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Action films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Shakedown has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Action fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Shakedown
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1988, Shakedown is a Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller, Mystery film directed by James Glickenhaus. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Peter Weller.
Ending Explained: Shakedown
Shakedown Ending Explained: Directed by James Glickenhaus, Shakedown attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core action themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Peter Weller. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the action themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Shakedown reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Shakedown Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Shakedown Based on a True Story?
Shakedown draws from real criminal cases and investigative records. As a action, crime, drama, thriller, mystery film directed by James Glickenhaus, the production explores how real events can be adapted into a dramatic narrative.
Real Story vs Movie Version
The film takes creative liberties to strengthen its narrative. Certain scenes are likely dramatized to enhance emotional impact.
While inspired by real events, the narrative focuses more on storytelling than strict historical accuracy.
Accuracy Assessment: Shakedown uses real-life inspiration as the foundation for a dramatized narrative. The film prioritizes thematic storytelling over strict documentary accuracy.
Who Should Watch Shakedown?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Action films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Shakedown
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $6.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $10.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Shakedown Budget
The estimated production budget for Shakedown is $6.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Shakedown
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Where to Watch Shakedown Online?
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Fandango At HomeShakedown Parents Guide & Age Rating
1988 AdvisoryWondering about Shakedown age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Shakedown is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.8/10, and global performance metrics, Shakedown is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1988 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shakedown worth watching?
Shakedown is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 5.8/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Shakedown parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Shakedown identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Shakedown?
The total duration of Shakedown is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.
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Critic Reviews for Shakedown
"Shakedown" is much too unremarkable for its own good and obviously somebody somewhere must have realised this so in order to effectively remedy such an unwanted situation somebody somewhere has deemed it appropriate that the film ought to be modelled more upon the box office hit "Lethal Weapon" (1987). So this means we are frequently subjected to an assortment of deliberately eye catching action sequences and stunts. No problem there, you might think. After all, the sequences in question have been incredibly well executed and they do successfully enliven what is a generally unmemorable motion picture experience. However, they are also outrageously laughable and they unquestionably sabotage the more realistic qualities being striven for elsewhere. The film also isn't helped by the fact Peter Weller's and Sam Elliott's characters Roland Dalton and Richie Marks are so completely mismatched they actually look as though they belong in separate films and by bringing them together here leaves us with an unholy mess on our hands.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.











