Is Newsmakers Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Newsmakers is likely a skip if you enjoy Action movies.
It features a runtime of 107 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Newsmakers Review
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2009, Newsmakers emerges as a significant entry in the Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of A gang of crooks robbing cash collectors, run into a police surveillance team and the inadequate police response results in a gunfight. Unlike standard genre fare, Newsmakers attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The screenplay, appearing to prioritize narrative momentum and immediate impact, sets a stage where the stakes feel personal yet universal. Under the directorial eye of Anders Banke, every scene is crafted to contribute to the atmospheric weight of the story, ensuring that the Action elements serve the larger narrative arc rather than just providing spectacle.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass in Character Study
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and Newsmakers features a noteworthy lineup led by Andrey Merzlikin. Supported by the likes of Evgeny Tsyganov and Masha Mashkova, 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. However, the sheer charisma of Andrey Merzlikin, Evgeny Tsyganov, Masha Mashkova manages to keep the audience invested through the film's more predictable sequences. In the broader context of 2009 cinema, these performances stand as a testament to the evolving standards of acting within the Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama space.
Directorial Vision & Technical Craftsmanship
From a technical perspective, Newsmakers is a marvel of 21st-century filmmaking. The cinematography, utilizing a moody and atmospheric color palette, significantly enhances the world-building aspects of the production. Each frame seems calculated to guide the viewer's emotional response, whether through wide, sweeping vistas or tight, claustrophobic close-ups that emphasize character isolation.
Technical Excellence: The production design and visual effects provide a solid foundation for the story, ensuring that the world of the film feels lived-in and authentic, even when the narrative logic falters. Furthermore, the sonic landscape—comprising both the score and sound design—adds a layer of subtextual narrative that rewards attentive viewers.
Narrative Pacing & Structural Integrity
The structure of Newsmakers follows a sophisticated brisk pace. Over its 107 minute duration, the film manages to balance exposition with action in a way that remains consistently entertaining. The second act, often the most difficult to manage, serves here as a crucible for character growth, leading toward a climax that feels both inevitable and surprising.
Critically, the editing choices by the team help maintain a narrative tension that rarely wavers. The sharp, concise editing ensures that not a single frame is wasted, making the film ideal for a modern audience that values efficiency in storytelling.
Cultural Impact & Global Resonance
Beyond its immediate entertainment value, Newsmakers resonates with contemporary social and cultural themes prevalent in the Action landscape of 2026. It addresses concepts such as the nature of heroism and personal legacy with a level of maturity that is often missing from major releases.
This cultural relevance is likely why it has garnered a 5/10 rating on our platform. Films like this bridge the gap between niche interest and global appeal, proving that stories rooted in specific human experiences can find a home with audiences worldwide, from the US and UK to India and beyond.
Plot Breakdown & Philosophical Subtext
Analyzing the plot deeper, Newsmakers is more than just its synopsis. It is an inquiry into nature of power. A gang of crooks robbing cash collectors, run into a police surveillance team and the inadequate police response results in a gunfight. A TV crew on assignment in the area happens to capture this humiliation on camera, and this example of police incompetence is soon the lead story in every news bulletin. Public confidence in law and order now suffers irreparable harm. The head of the Moscow force welcomes a public search-and-destroy operation against these thugs, the brainchild of Katya, his PR director. She proposes that the capture of this dangerous gang be transformed into a live TV show of a kind never seen before. At this point she cannot know that the gang leader's life-and-death struggle with the police is destined to lead to a media duel. Besieged in a huge apartment block, the crooks hold hostage a father and his son and daughter. A massive special forces rescue operation is mounted but fails miserably.
The philosophical underpinnings of the third act suggest a worldview that is standard for its genre yet executed with high professional polish. This is not just a commercial product; it is a piece of art that invites discussion long after the credits have finished rolling.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Newsmakers (2009) is overwhelmingly divisive. With an audience rating of 5/10 and strong performance metrics in the Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama categories, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Whether you choose to experience it for the stellar performances from Andrey Merzlikin, Evgeny Tsyganov, Masha Mashkova or the visual majesty of its technical execution, Newsmakers is a significant contribution to the cinema of 2009. It represents the kind of filmmaking that movieMx is proud to champion—original, bold, and ultimately, deeply human.
Newsmakers Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Newsmakers Budget
The estimated production budget for Newsmakers is $4M. 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.
Where to Watch Newsmakers Online?
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Bbox VODParents Guide & Age Rating
Newsmakers has not been officially rated yet. However, due to its genre classification (Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama), viewers should expect violence, action sequences, mature themes.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5/10, and global collection metrics, Newsmakers stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2009 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newsmakers movie hit or flop?
Newsmakers has received mixed reviews with a 5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Newsmakers worth watching?
Newsmakers is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Action, Thriller, Crime movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Newsmakers online?
Newsmakers is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. You can also check for it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads depending on your region.
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Synopsis
A gang of crooks robbing cash collectors, run into a police surveillance team and the inadequate police response results in a gunfight. A TV crew on assignment in the area happens to capture this humiliation on camera, and this example of police incompetence is soon the lead story in every news bulletin. Public confidence in law and order now suffers irreparable harm. The head of the Moscow force welcomes a public search-and-destroy operation against these thugs, the brainchild of Katya, his PR director. She proposes that the capture of this dangerous gang be transformed into a live TV show of a kind never seen before. At this point she cannot know that the gang leader's life-and-death struggle with the police is destined to lead to a media duel. Besieged in a huge apartment block, the crooks hold hostage a father and his son and daughter. A massive special forces rescue operation is mounted but fails miserably.