Production note The script was written by Andrew Kevin Walker, who also wrote Seven.
Production note The studio reportedly removed a heavier child-porn subplot from Walker’s original script.
Production note The movie made about $96.6 million worldwide against a $40 million budget.
Production note Roger Ebert gave the film three stars and defended it as a real film rather than exploitation.
Production note Rotten Tomatoes is said to have a 21% rating on the film.
Production note Machine’s mask is available on Prop Bay, a prop-memorabilia marketplace.
Production note Eddie drives a Stutz Blackhawk in the movie.
Production note Joel Schumacher also directed DC Cab, St. Elmo’s Fire, Lost Boys, Flatliners, Falling Down, The Client, and A Time to Kill.
Seven Used as the obvious comparison for depravity, Andrew Kevin Walker’s style, and the movie’s darker sibling.
Hardcore Mentioned as the 1970s precursor about a father searching for his missing daughter in porn.
Taxi Driver Referenced as another root for the lonely man descending into an underground world.
The Game Mentioned in discussion of Andrew Kevin Walker’s writing career and ghostwriting.
Sleepy Hollow Cited as another Andrew Kevin Walker credit that suggested a bigger career than he ultimately had.
True Romance Used as the benchmark for James Gandolfini and as a similarly sleazy performance.
Gladiator Used to describe Joaquin Phoenix’s star power and later compared to Russell Crowe’s performance arc.
The Net Used as part of a cluster of late-90s tech thrillers that imagined internet capabilities unrealistically.
Enemy of the State Referenced as a tech-paranoia movie that made surveillance feel omnipotent.
Funny Games Referenced in a comparison to Max California acting as a warning guide toward inevitable horror.
National Treasure Mentioned as part of Cage’s later, more commercial career path.
The Rock Used to illustrate Cage’s action-star run after his Oscar win.
Con Air Another title in Cage’s late-90s action-star run.
Face/Off Referenced as one of Cage’s outrageous performances that set up his 8MM energy.
Batman and Robin Mentioned as the Schumacher film that changed his career trajectory.
