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Rollerball

Rollerball

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200298 minPG-13Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
Director
John McTiernan
Starring
Chris Klein, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn, Naveen Andrews

In this fast action-packed thriller, Jonathan, Marcus, and Aurora compete in a dangerous, fierce sport called Rollerball. Although, Johnathan and Marcus try to quit, cruel and vindictive promoter Alexi Petrovich encourages them to still participate.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Rollerball?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Rollerball streaming on Pluto TV (free).

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Rollerball?

Rollerball earns 5 badges, led by Overhyped and Universally Panned.

  • Reception
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Rollerball worth watching?

Rollerball's Midcredits score is the 1st percentile of all films, from 48K ratings across 6 sources. 9% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

1st percentile

Among the least well received films

1st percentile among Action1st percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)2nd
Approval (how many liked it)1st

34 /100

2nd percentile of all films

3rd percentile among Action1st percentile among 2000s

Critics 14 · Audience 36

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

9% liked it

1st percentile of all films

1st percentile among Action1st percentile among 2000s
9% rated it 7–1091% rated it 1–6

Critics 3% · Audience 14%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 5 wins / 2 noms overall

92nd percentile

48K ratings across platforms

85th percentile among Action87th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 30% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$70M
Opening weekend$9M
Domestic gross$19M
Worldwide gross$26M

Returned 0.4× its budget — 70th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Everyone agrees the film is a fast-paced, chaotic action movie with little plot coherence, differing on whether that chaos is entertaining or disastrous.

Fans praised

  • fun, fast-paced action spectacle
  • kickass soundtrack and cool set pieces
  • entertaining if not taken seriously

Detractors panned

  • incoherent, incomprehensible editing and action
  • wooden, charisma-free lead performance from Chris Klein
  • pointless remake stripped of the original's social commentary

What stands out

Effects and spectacleDivisive45

stunts and set pieces have energy but are poorly shot

CinematographyDivisive20

chaotic cutting and a notorious night-vision sequence

ActingDivisive15

universally panned, especially Klein's bland lead; LL Cool J and Reno wasted

DialogueDivisive15

lame, risible lines; few unintentionally funny moments

Plot and storyDivisive10

incoherent, paper-thin story that makes little sense

CharactersDivisive10

underwritten ciphers, no development or motivation

OriginalityDivisive10

derivative remake that misses the original's point

TensionDivisive10

no stakes or suspense in matches; zero drama

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • Critics vs users 1 point apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Rollerball like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Dark and unsettling: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something dark that stays with you.

It leaves you unsettled.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Dark and unsettling.

The answer rests on this: Moods
TenseThrilling
Heaviest: late
Register
Brutal · 7% of filmsMelodramatic · 9% of films: Heightened emotion, played large.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its violent sports premise straight with earnest performances and an action‐thriller attitude, even if it misfires.
The rideThe film maintains a generally tense and fast‐paced atmosphere, with the heaviest violence occurring in the final game.
StructureThe story follows a conventional structure: recruitment, rising conflict, and a final game confrontation.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Unsettled.

The answer rests on this: UnsettlingInfuriating · 4% of films: Leaves you angry at an injustice the film shows, never at the film.
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a lingering unease about the violence celebrated in sports, and the blatant injustice of the corrupt system stirs anger.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterTyrant
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% (this title) · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Tyrant: A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA sports star is trapped in a corrupt league and seeks vengeance against a tyrannical promoter.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfCorruption
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 2% · Corruption 3% (this title) · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% (this title) · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Power

Corruption · 3% of filmsViolence · 4% of films
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film critiques how violence is commodified for entertainment, and how power corrupts the sport.
StanceThe film warns against the exploitation of athletes and the moral decay of sports for profit, centered on one man's fight for survival.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
RockElectronicForeground music · hybrid
SettingA corrupt professional rollerball league in Russian cities
MusicFeatures a cameo by the band Slipknot, indicating a heavy rock soundtrack.

Content guide

Is Rollerball okay for kids?

PG-13

Rollerball is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for violence, extreme sports action, sensuality, language and some drug references” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (56/100), sexual content at moderate (54/100), language at moderate (44/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (39/100) and frightening material at moderate (52/100). Its language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 4 other countries
  • UK15
  • Germany18
  • France12
  • Ireland18
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 63%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 95%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (70 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Rollerball have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Rollerball?

Cast

Chris Klein
as Jonathan Cross
LL Cool J
as Marcus Ridley
Rebecca Romijn
as Aurora
Naveen Andrews
as Sanjay
Jean Reno
as Alexis Petrovich
Oleg Taktarov
as Denekin
David Hemblen
as Serokin
Eugene Lipinski
as Yuri Kotlev
Frank Ferrara
as Assistant Gold Coach
Janet Wright
as Coach Olga

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Rollerball?

Movies like Rollerball include Major Grom: Plague Doctor (2021), Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1995) and RoboCop 2 (1990). Of the 12 closest matches, most are sci-fi films, and most are hero-versus-nemesis stories.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

10 of these 12 share its world: dystopian. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Rollerball?

1.7K other films share the rarest tag below, up against: tycoon. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.