A Shock to the System

Name: A Shock to the System
Genre: Crime, Comedy
Released: 1990-03-23
Duration: 1 h 31 min
Rating: 6.5
Cast: Michael Caine, Elizabeth McGovern, Peter Riegert, Swoosie Kurtz, Will Patton

1990·Movie·R·91 min·★ 6.5(147)

Crime Comedy More English titles

“Climbing the corporate ladder can be murder.”

When experienced advertising executive Graham Marshall loses out on a promotion to a young man, he goes down in a path of vengeance.

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Where to watch A Shock to the System in United States

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Click a service to open A Shock to the System there. Availability last verified on July 11, 2026.

Where is A Shock to the System streaming around the world?

Country	Streaming on	Rent / Buy
United States	YouTube TV, Fandor, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel	Amazon Video
United Kingdom	Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Tubi TV, Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Canada	Fandor, Tubi TV, Plex, Cineverse	—
Australia	Tubi TV	Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Spain	Acontra Plus, Acontra Plus Amazon Channel, Tivify	Acontra Plus

About A Shock to the System

A Shock to the System is a 1990 English-language crime and comedy film directed by Jan Egleson. The cast is led by Michael Caine, Elizabeth McGovern, Peter Riegert. It has a runtime of 1h 31m. Viewers rate it 6.5/10 across 100 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on YouTube TV, Fandor, Philo.

A Shock to the System was produced by Brigand Films and made in United States of America. It was released on March 23, 1990, and carries a R certification.

Director: Jan Egleson
Writers: Andrew Klavan
Release date: March 23, 1990
Original language: English
Age rating: R
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Production: Brigand Films

#new york city#based on novel or book#sailing#lighter#murder#electrocution#advertising executive#advertising agency#madison avenue#corporate ladder

A Shock to the System cast & crew

A Shock to the System was directed by Jan Egleson and written by Andrew Klavan.

The cast features Michael Caine as Graham Marshall, Elizabeth McGovern as Stella Anderson, Peter Riegert as Robert Benham, Swoosie Kurtz as Leslie Marshall, Will Patton as Lt. Laker, and Jenny Wright as Melanie O'Conner.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Gary Chang, cinematography is by Paul Goldsmith, and it was produced by Patrick McCormick and David V. Picker.

Is A Shock to the System worth watching?

A Shock to the System holds an audience score of 6.5/10 from 147 ratings, a solidly received crime films.

At 1h 31m, it's an easy, time-light watch.

If you enjoy crime and comedy, A Shock to the System is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch A Shock to the System

In United States, you can stream A Shock to the System on YouTube TV, Fandor, Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, and Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.