Original Sin

"Lead us into temptation."

2001 1h 56m EN

😐

6.1

MID

★6.1TMDB · 931

ThrillerDramaMysteryRomanceHistory

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A young man is plunged into a life of subterfuge, deceit and mistaken identity in pursuit of a femme fatale whose heart is never quite within his grasp.

“Lead us into temptation.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Angelina Jolie
Julia Russell / Bonnie Castle
Antonio Banderas
Luis Antonio Vargas
Thomas Jane
Walter Downs / Billy / Mephisto
Gregory Itzin
Colonel Worth
Jack Thompson
Alan Jordan
Allison Mackie
Augusta Jordan
Joan Pringle
Sara
Cordelia Richards
Emily Russel

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Michael Cristofer
Writers: Michael Cristofer
Languages: English, Spanish, Latin, German, French, Japanese
Countries: France, Switzerland, United States of America, United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 84% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

25 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 6 languages: English, Spanish, Latin, German, French, Japanese.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 4 countries: France, Switzerland, United States of America, United Kingdom.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Michael Cristofer, shot by Rodrigo Prieto. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Terence Blanchard. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Eric A. Sears shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas and Thomas Jane carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Michael Cristofer directs. Rodrigo Prieto behind the camera. Terence Blanchard scores. Eric A. Sears cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in France, Switzerland, United States of America, United Kingdom. Dialogue in English, Spanish, Latin, German, French, Japanese.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 84% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
225 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3Dialogue crosses 6 languages: English, Spanish, Latin, German, French, Japanese.
4International production across 4 countries: France, Switzerland, United States of America, United Kingdom.
5Directed by Michael Cristofer, shot by Rodrigo Prieto. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Terence Blanchard. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Eric A. Sears shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas and Thomas Jane carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "Lead us into temptation.".
10IMDB entry: tt0218922 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto
Original score: Terence Blanchard
Editing: Eric A. Sears
Production design: David J. Bomba
Costume design: Donna Zakowska
Makeup / hair: Colleen Callaghan
VFX supervisor: Ray McIntyre Jr.
Sound: Brad Sherman
Stunt coordinator: Dino Dos Santos
Runtime: 116 min · 1h 56m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $42,000,000
Box office: $35,402,320
Return: 84% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Original Sin (2001)

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Michael Cristofer

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What people are saying

RalphRahal2025-03-07
★ 3/10
Original Sin (2001) starts off strong with an intriguing setup, stylish cinematography, and some well-framed wide shots that give it a classic, almost dreamlike feel. The direction is solid in the first act, pulling you into a world of mystery and romance, but as the film progresses, it starts to feel a bit uneven. There are moments where the storytelling builds tension effectively, but then it stumbles with some forced scenes that don't entirely fit the character arcs. The script is melodramatic, leaning into its themes of obsession and betrayal, though it sometimes feels more like it's trying to be provocative rather than meaningful. Angelina Jolie carries the film effortlessly, giving a performance that elevates even the weaker parts of the script. Antonio Banderas does well too, but his character feels more reactive than driving the story. The chemistry is there, but certain scenes, especially one in particular, feel out of place given the way the characters were set up earlier. The score complements the film's mood but isn’t particularly memorable. Overall, Original Sin is a stylish but flawed film that keeps you watching, even if it never fully delivers on its initial promise.

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