The Postman
Performance & Direction: The Postman Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Postman (1997) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Science Fiction.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Science Fiction is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Postman features a noteworthy lineup led by Kevin Costner . Supported by the likes of Will Patton and Larenz Tate , 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 Postman
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1997, The Postman is a Science Fiction, Adventure, Action film directed by Kevin Costner. The narrative explores futuristic concepts and technological possibilities while examining humanity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kevin Costner.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. In 2013, there are no highways, no I-ways, no dreams of a better tomorrow, only scattered survivors across what was once the United States. Into this apocalyptic wasteland comes an enigmatic drifter with a mule, a knack for Shakespeare, and something yet undiscovered: the power to inspire hope. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Kevin Costner's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: The Postman
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Kevin Costner, The Postman concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to science fiction resolution.
The climactic sequence delivers on the escalating tension involving Kevin Costner, 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 science fiction themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Postman reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Postman?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Science Fiction films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Kevin Costner or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Postman
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $80.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $17.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Postman Budget
The estimated production budget for The Postman is $80.0M. 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 Postman
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Where to Watch The Postman Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Postman Parents Guide & Age Rating
1997 AdvisoryWondering about The Postman age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Postman is 178 minutes (2h 58m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Postman is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1997 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Postman worth watching?
The Postman is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Science Fiction movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Postman parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Postman identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Postman?
The total duration of The Postman is 178 minutes, which is approximately 2h 58m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Postman
Who will be responsible now, for these wayward children? That's a phrase that's in the book, but not the movie. I liked David Brin's tale of the communities growing up from a near-apocalypse and the conman, "Gordon Krantz." When I first saw the (overlong) movie, I was disappointed and felt Responsibility had been tossed aside. However, this tale of a traveling Shakepeare-mangler grew on me. David Brin himself defended the film, saying that the resolution of the battle between the Holnist/Survivalists and the postal carriers was good. Our drifter, accompanied by a mule, visits communities and puts on a "fractured fairy tales" version of Shakespeare for a meal and a night's lodging. Things go South suddenly, when a Survivalist army surrounds the town and drafts men/boys for the "Army of the Eight." The leader of this gang, prefers that he is the only literate person in the land, and tries to kill "Shakespeare," after turning the traveler's mule into stew. A narrow escape later, the drifter finds a U.S. Postal Service jeep, containing a uniformed skeleton and a bag of mail. Thus begins his next con job, "delivering the mail," which turns into a Crusade, led by "Ford Lincoln Mercury," his next mail carrier. Romance pops up, when he is asked to father a child for a man who "caught the bad Measles." The Holnists turn up again, and the pair flee the village. After a long Winter, the drifter and the pregnant woman return to free the village from the Holnists, who have been killing mail carriers. A final showdown with the "impotent ex-copier salesman" leads to "The Restored United States of America" and a legendary statue of The Postman. 7/10, but the book is 10/10!
This movie fits firmly in the "it's so bad it's good" category. It's so outrageous, that you just have to see how it's going to end up. The dialogue/scripts are woeful... but they are delivered with such passion that it almost leaves you breathless. At the end of the movie, I had no idea what I had just watched, but definitely felt that I had been entertained! Go figure.
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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.
