Compliance
Performance & Direction: Compliance Review
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Compliance (2012) 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 Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Compliance features a noteworthy lineup led by Ann Dowd . Supported by the likes of Dreama Walker and Pat Healy , 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: Compliance
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2012, Compliance is a Drama, Thriller film directed by Craig Zobel. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Ann Dowd.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. On a particularly busy day at a suburban Ohio fast food restaurant, manager Sandra receives a phone call from a police officer saying that an employee has stolen money from a customer. The screenplay takes time to develop Ann Dowd's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Ann Dowd's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Compliance
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Craig Zobel, Compliance 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 involving Ann Dowd, 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 Compliance reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Compliance?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Ann Dowd or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Compliance
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $270.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $592.1K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Compliance Budget
The estimated production budget for Compliance is $270.0K. 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: Compliance
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Compliance Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
fuboTV
Philo
Amazon Prime Video with Ads🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
FlixFling🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeFlixFlingCompliance Parents Guide & Age Rating
2012 AdvisoryWondering about Compliance age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Compliance is 90 minutes (1h 30m). 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, Compliance is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2012 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Compliance worth watching?
Compliance is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama 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 Compliance parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Compliance identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Compliance?
The total duration of Compliance is 90 minutes, which is approximately 1h 30m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Compliance
How Compliance Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Compliance
Creepy, uncomfortable and unnerving for sure, the subject is a bit of a stretch in feature film length and probably better suited as some sort of episode on ID, analyzing the psychology of these incidents. Still, the performances by Ann Dowd and Dreama Walker were both quite good. **3.25/5**
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.
