Movie · 1996 · Action, Mystery, Thriller · 1h 55m · R · English
Curator score: 1.6/10 (166.5K ratings)
He will erase your past to protect your future.
Overview
A Witness Protection specialist becomes suspicious of his co-workers when dealing with a case involving high-tech weapons.
Ratings
Curator score: 1.6/10
IMDb: 6.2/10
Letterboxd: 2.90/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 44%
Metacritic: 56
TMDB: 6.1/10
Director
Chuck Russell
Production
Kopelson Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures
Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Vanessa Williams, James Caan, James Coburn, Robert Pastorelli, James Cromwell, Danny Nucci, Andy Romano, Nick Chinlund, Michael Papajohn, Joe Viterelli, Mark Rolston, John Slattery, Robert Miranda, Roma Maffia, Tony Longo, Gerry Becker, John Snyder, Melora Walters, Olek Krupa
Curator Review
Verdict
A slick, very 90s Arnold action-thriller with enough big set pieces, goofy tech, and star charisma to keep genre fans entertained, even if the plotting is routine and the CGI has aged badly. It works best as loud, fast junk food rather than a standout thriller.
Best for
fans of 90s studio action
Arnold Schwarzenegger completists
viewers who enjoy elaborate set pieces and ridiculous action logic
people in the mood for a fast, undemanding thriller
Skip if
you want airtight plotting or suspense
you’re allergic to dated CGI and corny dialogue
you prefer grounded action over cartoonish spectacle
you expect one of Schwarzenegger’s top-tier classics
Overview
Eraser is a late-period Arnold vehicle that knows exactly what it is: a glossy, high-concept action movie built around a hero who can outmuscle bullets, bureaucracy, and bad digital animals. The witness-protection premise gives it a nice procedural hook, but the real appeal is the parade of escalating stunts, betrayals, and one-liners that keep it moving at a brisk clip.
Worth noting
It’s not especially subtle, and the mystery elements are mostly there to connect the explosions. Still, the movie has a sturdy, old-school confidence, and Schwarzenegger’s easy charisma helps sell even the silliest beats. The action is often the point, not the payoff, and on that level it delivers.
Bottom line
What holds it back is the familiar mid-90s studio-thriller problem: thin characterization, predictable twists, and effects that now look more amusing than thrilling. But if you’re in the mood for a big, dumb, well-made action ride from the era when star power could carry almost anything, this is an easy watch.
Top Letterboxd reviews
Grooveman (4★) · 430 likes
The fact that Schwarzenegger kicks an Alligator in the mouth makes this a must see.
David Sims (3★) · 353 likes
arnie faces down a jumbo jet in mid-air and SHOOTS THE MFING FRONT WINDOWS OUT
Ian West (3.5★) · 304 likes
My boy chuck russell comes through again. Watched this with my fiancé, her first time, and the entire length of this movie she kept saying “he’s gotta say You’ve just been Erased or something, right?”.
When it happen she jumped up with her hands in the air like Jordan just won the nba finals with .03 seconds to go.
This feels a million years old but I don’t really give it shit, feed it to my Neanderthal veins.
Pretty good day.
SilentDawn (4★) · 181 likes
73
Reheated T2 and True Lies leftovers, but even still, that's certainly not the worst thing to aspire to. Nonstop ridiculous action (the crocodiles! 🐊) and Arnold charm.
matt lynch (2.5★) · 179 likes
"I can't believe you nailed me with this cheap piece of mail-order shit!"
that's James Caan after getting hit with a tiny knife Arnold had concealed in his belt buckle, but it might as well be me after thoroughly enjoying this undeniably lame and profoundly stupid junk food garbage.
1997 · Action, Crime, Science Fiction · 2h 19m · R · Curator 6.2/10 (728.5K ratings) · Where to watch: fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, MGM Plus
Operatic, absurd, and committed to its own ridiculousness in a way fans of big 90s action often love.