A Shock to the System (1990): cast, story & where to watch
1990 · Film · ★ 6.4
Released in 1990, A Shock to the System is a comedy, thriller, drama and crime film directed by Jan Egleson, running about 91 minutes. “Climbing the corporate ladder can be murder.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Madison Avenue executive Graham Marshall has paid his dues. A talented and devoted worker, he has suffered through mounting bills and a nagging wife with one thing to look forward to: a well-deserved promotion. But when the promotion is given to a loud-mouthed yuppie associate, Graham unleashes his rage on an overly aggressive panhandler, who he accidently kills by pushing him into the path of an oncoming subway train. He re-thinks his problems with an entirely new solution. First, he arranges an "accident" for his annoying wife. Then he creates another "mishap" for his boss. It seems like the world is once more Graham's oyster…but a missing cigarette lighter and a prying police detective may change all that.
Who’s in it. A Shock to the System stars Michael Caine as Graham Marshall, Elizabeth McGovern as Stella Anderson, Peter Riegert as Robert Benham and Swoosie Kurtz as Leslie Marshall, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.4/10, A Shock to the System has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Philo, YouTube TV, Fandor and Fandor Amazon Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch A Shock to the System page.
If you liked it. Fans of A Shock to the System tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch A Shock to the System (1990)?
- In US, A Shock to the System is available to stream on Philo, YouTube TV and Fandor, and rent or buy from Amazon Video. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is A Shock to the System worth watching?
- A Shock to the System holds an audience score of 6.4 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, thriller, drama and crime. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in A Shock to the System?
- A Shock to the System stars Michael Caine, Elizabeth McGovern, Peter Riegert, Swoosie Kurtz and Will Patton.
- When was A Shock to the System released?
- A Shock to the System was released in 1990, with a runtime of about 91 minutes.