The Leading Man (1996): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1996, The Leading Man is a thriller, drama and romance film directed by John Duigan, running about 100 minutes. “Indecent. Immoral. Irresistible. It's the role he was born to play.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Successful playwright Felix Webb has a new play, 'The Hit Man', in rehearsal. Directed by his old friend Humphrey, it is already being hailed as a masterpiece; but Felix can't enjoy his success. He has fallen passionately in love with Hilary, a beautiful, fiesty young actress, and is preparing to desert his perfect family, his wife Elena and three lively children. His intolerable situation is further complicated when Humphrey casts Hilary as one of the leads in 'The Hit Man'. Enter Robin Grange, a charismatic young Hollywood actor making his London theatre debut. Robin is attractive, charming and dangerous, and soon inveigles his way into everyone's life. He ingratiates himself with the cast and, quickly grasping Felix's dilemma, sets about weaving his web of mischief. He suggests that if he were to seduce Elena, she would be distracted from Felix's affair, regain her self respect, and perhaps even willingly part from the unfaithful husband to whom she clings...

Who’s in it. The Leading Man stars Jon Bon Jovi as Robin Grange, Anna Galiena as Elena Webb, Lambert Wilson as Felix Webb and Thandiwe Newton as Hilary Rule, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 4.9/10, The Leading Man has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and Amazon Prime Video with Ads and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Leading Man page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Leading Man tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.