Is The Contender Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Contender is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 126 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Contender Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2000, The Contender emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of The vice president is dead, and as the president makes his choice for a replacement, a secret contest of wills is being waged by a formidable rival. Unlike standard genre fare, The Contender 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 The Contender features a noteworthy lineup led by Joan Allen . Supported by the likes of Gary Oldman and Jeff Bridges , 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 The Contender (2000) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Contender Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Contender is a Drama, 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.
The Contender Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Contender concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. 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 The Contender reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Contender?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
The Contender Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $20.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $22.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Contender Budget
The estimated production budget for The Contender is $20.0M. 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 The Contender
- Joan Allen – Laine Hanson
- Gary Oldman – Shelly Runyon
- Jeff Bridges – President Jackson Evans
- Christian Slater – Reginald Webster
- Sam Elliott – Kermit Newman
Top Highlights
Joan AllenLaine Hanson
Gary OldmanShelly Runyon
Jeff BridgesPresident Jackson Evans
Christian SlaterReginald Webster
Sam ElliottKermit Newman
William PetersenJack Hathaway
Saul RubinekJerry Tolliver
Philip Baker HallOscar Billings
Robin ThomasWilliam Hanson
Kathryn MorrisPaige Willomina
Where to Watch The Contender Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Apple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
The Contender 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 6.7/10, and global collection metrics, The Contender stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2000 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Contender movie hit or flop?
The Contender has received mixed reviews with a 6.7/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Contender worth watching?
The Contender is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Contender online?
The Contender 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.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Contender
How The Contender Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Contender
Joan Allen is an American senator who is nominated to replace a recently deceased Vice-President by Jeff Bridges ("President Evans"). Once her confirmation hearing begins, she finds her rather interesting private life under the scrutiny of hostile committee chairman Gary Oldman who is determined to expose every aspect of her life - past and present - to the public. Oscar-nominated Allen is good as the feisty, intelligent, senator but the rest of this is all rather lacklustre and frequently overly contrived, with plenty of dramatic events designed to enhance the plot rather then create any sense of plausibility. Against the backdrop of the Clinton impeachment trial, the film had a certain resonance and it certainly does not show the constitutional processes, nor the male-dominated American establishment's approach to women, in a good light, but the older it gets, the less that causal impact it has and is now little better than a run-of-the-mill political drama that struggles to distinguish itself.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
