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Twelve Monkeys

1995 2h 9m
Science Fiction Thriller Mystery
MOVIEVIBE Rating
7.6/10
9,381 reviews
Your Rating
Twelve Monkeys

In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly and the son of a famous virus expert who may hold the key to the Army of the 12 Monkeys; thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.

"The future is history."

Top Billed Cast

Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis
James Cole
Madeleine Stowe
Madeleine Stowe
Dr. Kathryn Railly
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
Jeffrey Goines
Christopher Plummer
Christopher Plummer
Dr. Goines
David Morse
David Morse
Dr. Peters
Jon Seda
Jon Seda
Jose
Christopher Meloni
Christopher Meloni
Lt. Halperin
Joey Perillo
Joey Perillo
Detective Franki

Detailed Critic & Audience Reviews

J JPV852 Verified TMDB Critic
2021-05-24

Really good sci-fi thriller with wonderful performances by Bruce Willis, Madeline Stowe and Brad Pitt. Really well done by director Terry Gilliam that has great pacing through the two hour running time. **4.0/5**...

W Wuchak Verified TMDB Critic
2022-09-03

**_A-man-comes-back-from-the-future Sci-Fi with Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt_**

In 2035 survivors are living underground after a viral outbreak has wiped out most of the populace. A prisoner (Bruce Willis) is sent back in time to obtain the original virus so scientists can find a cure. Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Christopher Plummer and David Morse are on hand in key roles.

"12 Monkeys" (1996) has a huge reputation as a sci-fi thriller and is iconic of 90’s cinema. The man coming back from the future plot immediately brings to mind the first two Terminator flicks (from 1984 and 1991), bu...

F Filipe Manuel Neto Verified TMDB Critic
2022-11-16

**An excellent sci-fi film that deserves our attention.**

I didn't really know what to expect when this movie was on TV very recently, but I was really glued to the set until the end thanks to a truly absorbing story and a collection of great actors who do a great job. I don't know director Terry Gilliam very well, I've only seen one or two of his films so far (not counting this film), but I'm beginning to understand his aesthetic a bit. However, I recognize that surrealism, of which the director is adept, and the bizarre script can really make it difficult to understand the work.

The fi...

C CinemaSerf Verified TMDB Critic
2024-05-16

Bruce Willis is at the height of his game here as his "Cole" character is sent back in time to find out just how the world came to suffer from a virus that all but wiped out humanity. He is promised early release from his extended prison sentence if he can glean enough information and get back alive to share it! Thing is, they put him back a bit too early and his harbingering of doom stuff merely serves to find him sectioned and under the care of scientist "Railly" (Madeleine Stowe) and friends with the off-his-trolley "Goines" (Brad Pitt) who might just have an use when it comes to fulfilling...