The Lawnmower Man
Performance & Direction: The Lawnmower Man Review
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Lawnmower Man (1992) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Science Fiction.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Science Fiction is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Lawnmower Man features a noteworthy lineup led by Jeff Fahey . Supported by the likes of Pierce Brosnan and Jenny Wright , 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?
Story & Plot Summary: The Lawnmower Man
Quick Plot Summary: The Lawnmower Man is a Science Fiction, Horror film that explores futuristic concepts and technological possibilities while examining humanity. 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. A simple man is turned into a genius through the application of computer science. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: The Lawnmower Man
Ending Breakdown: The Lawnmower Man attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to science fiction resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, 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 science fiction themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Lawnmower Man reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Lawnmower Man?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Science Fiction films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Lawnmower Man
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $10.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $32.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Lawnmower Man Budget
The estimated production budget for The Lawnmower Man is $10.0M. 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: The Lawnmower Man
All Cast & Crew →











Where to Watch The Lawnmower Man Online?
Streaming HubThe Lawnmower Man Parents Guide & Age Rating
1992 AdvisoryWondering about The Lawnmower Man age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Lawnmower Man is 108 minutes (1h 48m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.6/10, and global performance metrics, The Lawnmower Man is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1992 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Lawnmower Man worth watching?
The Lawnmower Man is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Science Fiction movies. It has a verified rating of 5.6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Lawnmower Man parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Lawnmower Man identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Lawnmower Man?
The total duration of The Lawnmower Man is 108 minutes, which is approximately 1h 48m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Lawnmower Man
How The Lawnmower Man Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Lawnmower Man
It Lacks Qualcast Quality. The Lawnmower Man is directed by Brett Leonard who also co-writes the screenplay with Gimel Everett. It stars Pierce Brosnan, Jeff Fahey, Jenny Wright, Geoffrey Lewis, Jeremy Slate and Dean Norris. Music is by Dan Wyman and cinematography by Russell Carpenter. Dr. Lawrence Angelo (Brosnan) is a big mover in the science of virtual reality. When he tries his new technology on mentally challenged gardener Jobe Smith (Fahey), it elevates him to a higher intelligence and it’s not long before Jobe acquires scary new powers… Originally meant to be, and titled as, Stephen King’s Lawnmower Man, the film eventually, after a King lawsuit, ended up bearing very little resemblance to the author’s short story. There’s a couple of small ligaments that link the two, but in the main (not Maine) this Lawnmower Man is its own entity and an obvious attempt to cash in on the then virtual reality zeitgeist. Lawnmower Man has a cult fan base, of that there is no doubt, where much like Tron from 10 years earlier, the effects work and the capturing of something very much being “in” with the youth of the time, has proved perpetually appealing to nostalgists. But strip away these and you have your basic Frankenstein story for the 90s, a pretty standard story lacking intelligent smarts or deep thematic points of worth. And then of course there is the bizarre fact of having a film decrying the advancement of computer technology, by using computer technology to make the film’s strongest moments! Hee. It’s only adequately performed by the cast, and Leonard’s direction matches his writing, which is mundane when not about the visual effects; effects work that dated very quickly as it happened. Other cuts and sequels would follow, the former didn’t improve the same basic problems of the theatrical cut, the latter releases proved to be laughably bad. The Lawnmower Man, an interesting movie in the context of its time, and certainly fun enough for those who were there cloaked in a visually inspired warm glow, but it has not been a must see film for anyone else since 1995. 4/10
Ahead of its time. Unfortunately, the technology it uses was not. Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole.
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.
Useful Links
More with Jeff Fahey
View full filmographyPart of the The Lawnmower Man Collection
Explore the full watch order, ratings, and collection details.
View Full Franchise








