Auto Focus
Performance & Direction: Auto Focus Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Auto Focus (2002) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Crime.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Crime is often anchored by its ensemble, and Auto Focus features a noteworthy lineup led by Greg Kinnear . Supported by the likes of Willem Dafoe and Rita Wilson , 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: Auto Focus
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2002, Auto Focus is a Crime, Drama film directed by Paul Schrader. The narrative dives into the criminal underworld with a grounded sense of realism and complex morality. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Greg Kinnear.
Ending Explained: Auto Focus
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Paul Schrader, Auto Focus concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to crime resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Greg Kinnear, 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 Auto Focus reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Auto Focus Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Auto Focus incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a crime, drama film directed by Paul Schrader, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Greg Kinnear's character.
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: Auto Focus adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Auto Focus?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Crime films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Greg Kinnear or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Auto Focus
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $7.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.1M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Auto Focus Budget
The estimated production budget for Auto Focus is $7.0M. 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: Auto Focus
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Auto Focus Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreAuto Focus Parents Guide & Age Rating
2002 AdvisoryWondering about Auto Focus age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Auto Focus is 104 minutes (1h 44m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.4/10, and global performance metrics, Auto Focus is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2002 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Auto Focus worth watching?
Auto Focus is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Crime movies. It has a verified rating of 6.4/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Auto Focus parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Auto Focus identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Auto Focus?
The total duration of Auto Focus is 104 minutes, which is approximately 1h 44m long.
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How Auto Focus Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Auto Focus
**_Bob Crane's growing sexual addiction and murder_** Crane (Greg Kinnear) befriends a video expert named John Carpenter (Willem Dafoe) around the time he gets the gig for Hogan's Heroes. He is soon seduced by the temptations of being a big star; "free sex" is the sin du jour of the era and Crane can't resist the scores of beautiful women who want him. Unlike Crane, Carpenter isn't a star and isn't handsome, but he's able to continually pick up women simply due to his friendship with Bob. During and, especially, after his popular TV show, Crane experiences a downward spiral as he becomes entangled in the web of loose sex. By June, 1978, he was dead at 49. "Auto Focus" (2002) was based on Robert Graysmith's book "The Murder of Bob Crane: Who Killed the Star of Hogan's Heroes?," which – believe it or not – depicts Crane's plunge into sexual immorality even worse than seen in the movie. Director Paul Schrader is a writer or director of quite a few critically acclaimed films, like "Taxi Driver" (writer), "The Mosquito Coast" (writer) and "Hardcore" (writer & director). Speaking of "Hardcore," that film also addresses the subject of sexual hedonism with focus on a fascinating father/daughter relationship that develops between a staunch Calvinist conservative (George C. Scott) and a young lost prostitute (Season Hubley). "Auto Focus" may not be quite as good but, if you can handle the sleazy aspects, it maintains your attention and the actors do a quality job. Rita Wilson and Maria Bello are on hand as Crane's wife and mistress/new-wife respectively. Meanwhile Michael E. Rodgers plays Bob's somewhat nemesis, Richard Dawson. The DVD features a documentary on Crane's death and the most obvious culprit, John Carpenter. It's an interesting case, to say the least. I shouldn't fail to add that I know someone who worked as a waitress at an A&W in my area during the mid-70s when Crane was forced to do traveling theater work to earn a living, as shown in the movie. She waited on him & another guy and Bob was his typically amiable self, just with a decidedly smart-alecky edge. I guess my friend didn't act starstruck enough because he didn't leave her a tip! It runs 1 hour, 45 minutes, and was shot in California and Arizona. GRADE: B
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.
