The Edge
Performance & Direction: The Edge Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Edge (1997) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Action.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Action is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Edge features a noteworthy lineup led by Anthony Hopkins . Supported by the likes of Alec Baldwin and Elle Macpherson , 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 Edge
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1997, The Edge is a Action, Adventure, Drama film directed by Lee Tamahori. The narrative delivers highly intense sequences and pulse-pounding confrontations that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Anthony Hopkins.
Story Breakdown
In this high-octane feature, Lee Tamahori establishes a narrative structure that follows a classic action blueprint: establishing the protagonist's world, introducing a formidable antagonist, and escalating the stakes. The plane carrying wealthy Charles Morse crashes down in the Alaskan wilderness. Together with the two other passengers, photographer Robert and assistant Stephen, Charles devises a plan to help them reach civilization. However, his biggest obstacle might not be the elements, or even the Kodiak bear stalking them -- it could be Robert, whom Charles suspects is having an affair with his wife and would not mind seeing him dead. The film balances spectacular set pieces with character moments for Anthony Hopkins, ensuring the action serves the story rather than overwhelming it.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title opens with an explosive sequence that immediately establishes the stakes and introduces our protagonist in action.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Anthony Hopkins's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final confrontation delivers on the buildup, with stakes at their highest and the protagonist using everything they've learned.
Ending Explained: The Edge
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Lee Tamahori, The Edge concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to action resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Anthony Hopkins, 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 action themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Edge reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Edge?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Action films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Anthony Hopkins or the director
- Want an adrenaline rush without demanding perfection
Box Office Collection: The Edge
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $30.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $43.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Edge Budget
The estimated production budget for The Edge is $30.0M. 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 Edge
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Where to Watch The Edge Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
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YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeThe Edge Parents Guide & Age Rating
1997 AdvisoryWondering about The Edge age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Edge is 117 minutes (1h 57m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, The Edge is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1997 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Edge worth watching?
The Edge is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Action movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Edge parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Edge identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Edge?
The total duration of The Edge is 117 minutes, which is approximately 1h 57m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Edge
In a nutshell: A vastly underrated thriller / adventure with great performances from Hopkins and Baldwin. After about a third of the way in, it's a two man show with excellent pacing, you will not be disappointed...
Sir Anthony Hopkins is billionaire "Charles" who finds himself stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash leaves him, his friend "Robert" (Alec Baldwin) and his assistant "Stephen" (Harold Perrineau) in the middle of nowhere - and a fairly hostile nowhere at that! Fortunately, he was a boy scout as a kid - he knows how to light a fire, to make a compass from a leaf and so armed with a somewhat optimistically stoic attitude they set off to find civilisation. Not long into their journey, they pick up an unwanted guest - a 1,200lb Kodiak bear - and it is as hungry as they are lost. It will take all of their ingenuity to outsmart this hunter and reach safety. Along the way, we also discover there is just a little bit of a personal grudge running between the two friends, adding an additional tension to their already fraught predicament. It's a good looking film this, and "Bart" the bear turns in quite a ferocious effort as he provides such of the menace in this drama. Sadly, though, neither lead actor offers much by way of a performance, the dialogue is all a bit basic and though the grand scale photography is great to look at, the action stuff struggles to look real or plausible. The ending really lets the thing down quite badly, and though I didn't mind watching this film, I can't say I could recommend it nor that I would watch it again.
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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.
