Is Snake Eyes Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Snake Eyes is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies.
It features a runtime of 98 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Snake Eyes Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1998, Snake Eyes emerges as a significant entry in the Crime, Mystery, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of All bets are off when shady homicide cop Rick Santoro witnesses a murder during a boxing match. Unlike standard genre fare, Snake Eyes attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Snake Eyes features a noteworthy lineup led by Nicolas Cage . Supported by the likes of Gary Sinise and Carla Gugino , 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 Snake Eyes (1998) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Snake Eyes Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Snake Eyes is a Crime, Mystery, Thriller film that delves into the criminal underworld with gritty realism and moral complexity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The film presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. All bets are off when shady homicide cop Rick Santoro witnesses a murder during a boxing match. It's up to him and lifelong friend, Naval intelligence agent Kevin Dunne, to uncover the conspiracy behind the killing. At every turn, Santoro makes increasingly shocking discoveries that even he can't turn a blind eye to. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The film establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Snake Eyes Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Snake Eyes concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime 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 crime themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Snake Eyes reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Snake Eyes Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Snake Eyes incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, mystery, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Snake Eyes adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Snake Eyes?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Snake Eyes Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $73.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $103.9M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Snake Eyes Budget
The estimated production budget for Snake Eyes is $73.0M. 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.
Advertisement
Full Cast & Crew of Snake Eyes
- Nicolas Cage – Rick Santoro
- Gary Sinise – Kevin Dunne
- Carla Gugino – Julia Costello
- John Heard – Gilbert Powell
- Stan Shaw – Lincoln Tyler
Top Highlights
Nicolas CageRick Santoro
Gary SiniseKevin Dunne
Carla GuginoJulia Costello
John HeardGilbert Powell
Stan ShawLincoln Tyler
Kevin DunnLou Logan
Michael RispoliJimmy George
Joel FabianiCharles Kirkland
Luis GuzmánCyrus
David Anthony HigginsNed Campbell
Where to Watch Snake Eyes Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MGM Plus🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Plex🏷️ Buy on
Amazon Video
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Snake Eyes is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains mature themes, violence. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.2/10, and global collection metrics, Snake Eyes stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1998 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Snake Eyes movie hit or flop?
Snake Eyes has received mixed reviews with a 6.2/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Snake Eyes worth watching?
Snake Eyes is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Crime, Mystery, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Snake Eyes online?
Snake Eyes is currently available for streaming on MGM Plus. You can also check for it on platforms like MGM Plus depending on your region.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Snake Eyes
How Snake Eyes Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Snake Eyes
It’s just typical John Travolta , Nicholas Cage , doing John Travolta and Nick Cage Until the demise of one of them. Not memorable. But you knew that!
My biggest problem with this, aside from the shockingly wooden acting from Nicolas Cage - is that I saw through the subterfuge almost immediately. Quite possibly luck, but once I'd guessed who was doing what to whom, the thing just descended into a remarkably procedural thrill-free thriller that I really struggled to remain engaged with. As it is, dodgy cop "Santoro" (Cage) finds himself embroiled in the assassination of the US Defence Secretary at a boxing match. Working with his military security chief - and close friend "Dunne" (Gary Sinise) he has to try and find out just who would gain by this, and why. There are a few red herrings, a mysterious woman in white, and as the story develops plenty of plausible enough candidates, but there is precious little jeopardy and the "Santoro" character is neither likeable nor engaging. Some of the dialogue is pretty cringeworthy, and I am afraid I just found the whole thing a fairly mediocre and forgettable effort all round.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
Useful Links
More with Nicolas Cage
The Making of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Hot Pink Horror: The Making of Color Out of Space
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse