Explosions, Code, and Charisma: Revisiting a Sleek, Stylized Thriller

Read Time:6 Minute, 41 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Swordfish [Limited Edition] 4K
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Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
Year Released: 2001, 2025 4K
Runtime: 1h 39m
Director(s): Dominic Sena
Writer(s): Skip Woods
Cast: John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Vinnie Jones, Sam Shepard, Drea de Matteo, Rudolf Martin, Zach Grenier, Camryn Grimes, Angelo Pagán, Chic Daniel
Where to Watch: available June 10, 2025, pre-order your copy here: www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: It’s been over two decades since SWORDFISH detonated its way into theaters, and thanks to Arrow Video’s new 4K release, there’s never been a better time to reexamine the wild, stylish thrill-ride that once asked: what if hackers looked like supermodels and blew up banks in broad daylight? Directed by Dominic Sena and starring Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Halle Berry, and Don Cheadle, SWORDFISH might not pass any cybersecurity tests, but it still delivers the glossy, high-octane fun that made it a cult favorite of the early 2000s. If you can check your realism at the door, there’s so much to enjoy here.

Let’s address the elephant in the server room—no, the hacking in SWORDFISH doesn’t even try to make sense. Even in 2001, tech-savvy viewers were raising eyebrows at the film’s depiction of coding under pressure (and under duress, in more than one way). Viruses are launched with a flourish, firewalls crumble like cardboard, and encryption is cracked faster than a six-letter password. But none of that is the point. The movie isn’t interested in realism but in looking cool, and it nails that part.

From its first minutes, SWORDFISH wears its attitude on its sleeve. It opens with a monologue from Travolta that pokes fun at Hollywood’s obsession with safe, predictable storytelling. It’s a bit on-the-nose, sure—but in retrospect, it’s the perfect mission statement for a film that gleefully breaks the rules. Travolta, in particular, has the time of his life as the slick, snake-tongued antagonist Gabriel Shear. With his designer suits, ludicrous requests, and that unforgettable haircut, he’s an over-the-top villain who somehow feels both ridiculous and threatening.

Opposite him, Hugh Jackman plays Stanley Jobson, a down-and-out former hacker trying to reconnect with his daughter. Jackman hadn’t yet become the household name he is today, and SWORDFISH captures him in that fascinating moment right after the first X-MEN but before full-blown superstardom. He brings a surprising amount of heart to a role that could’ve easily been a throwaway. Whether furiously typing or reluctantly joining forces, his scenes anchor the film with just enough humanity to keep the spectacle from spinning out of control.

Then there’s Halle Berry, whose performance is forever remembered for a certain reveal that got more media attention than anything else in the film. But beyond that scene, Berry plays Ginger with a confident, quiet intelligence that contrasts well with Travolta’s bluster and Jackman’s moral unease. Her character’s loyalties remain deliberately murky, which helps maintain tension even when the plot starts to strain under its weight.

Speaking of spectacle, this Arrow Video 4K release does SWORDFISH some serious favors. The film has always been a visual showstopper thanks to the sleek cinematography and music video-style direction. But in 4K, every shimmer of light, every explosion, and every tech-infused glow gets a serious upgrade. The slow-motion sequence of a bomb detonating in full 360-degree glory looks better than ever, still one of the most audacious and ambitious set pieces of its time. The sound design—especially the thumping, electronica-heavy score by Paul Oakenfold and Christopher Young—has room to breathe in the restored audio. The bonus features also help contextualize the film, whether through interviews, behind-the-scenes looks, or reflections on the tech-thriller boom of the early 2000s. (The alternate endings add a completely different feel to the film.)

The early-aughts cool factor doesn’t always translate, and how the film talks about terrorism, surveillance, and foreign policy now feels stuck in a very specific pre-9/11 mindset. It’s not that the film’s politics are messy (though they are), but its worldview has aged in ways that make it more of a fascinating time capsule than a timeless action thriller. It’s also hard not to laugh at the scenes where hackers frantically wave their arms or have entire walls of code projected like a science fair exhibit—it’s all for show, and that’s okay, but it’s a show for people who never wrote a line of code.

But again, that’s part of SWORDFISH’s charm. It doesn’t care if it’s accurate—it cares if you’re entertained. And on that front, it still delivers. This film is best appreciated for its confident swagger, over-the-top theatrics, and how it leans fully into its techno-thriller identity without apologizing.

If you’re new to SWORDFISH, this 4K release is the best way to experience it. And if you’ve seen it before, this new edition gives you the perfect excuse to revisit its high-style nonsense with fresh eyes. For all its quirks and flaws, SWORDFISH remains an exhilarating, ridiculous, and surprisingly well-crafted ride.

Bonus Materials:
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
Original lossless stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio options
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Audio commentary by director Dominic Sena
Soundtrack Hacker, a brand new interview with composer Paul Oakenfold
How to Design a Tech Heist, a brand new interview with production designer Jeff Mann
HBO First Look: Swordfish, a promotional behind-the-scenes featurette
Effects in Focus: The Flying Bus, a promotional featurette detailing how the film’s iconic climactic scene was created
Planet Rock Club Reel, a music video by the film’s co-composer, Paul Oakenfold
Swordfish: In Conversation, a promotional featurette with interviews from cast and crew members, including actors Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, and Sam Shepard, director Dominic Sena, and producer Joel Silver
Two alternate endings
Theatrical trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
Double-sided fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Priscilla Page and an article from American Cinematographer about the film’s opening sequence

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[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO, MVD ENTERTAINMENT]

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