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Con Air

Con Air is a 1997 American action thriller film directed by Simon West in his feature directorial debut and written by Scott Rosenberg.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Con Air is a 1997 American action thriller film directed by Simon West in his feature directorial debut and written by Scott Rosenberg. It stars Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, and John Malkovich, and follows a prison transport flight that is hijacked by dangerous inmates.

Premise

The story follows Cameron Poe, a newly paroled former Army Ranger who is travelling home on a prisoner transport flight when inmates seize control of the aircraft. The hijacking turns the flight into a struggle for survival and control of the plane.

Production

Con Air was directed by Simon West and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, with a screenplay by Scott Rosenberg. It is identified as West’s first feature film as a director.

Cast

The principal cast includes Nicolas Cage as Cameron Poe, John Cusack as Vince Larkin, and John Malkovich as Cyrus Grissom. Supporting roles include Steve Buscemi, Ving Rhames, Mykelti Williamson, Rachel Ticotin, and Colm Meaney.

Release and reception

The film was released in the United States on June 6, 1997. It is commonly described as an action thriller and has been noted for its large-scale action set pieces and ensemble cast.

Key facts

  • The film centres on a prison transport aircraft operated by the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS).
  • Nicolas Cage plays Cameron Poe, a parolee caught on board during the hijacking.
  • John Malkovich plays Cyrus Grissom, the inmate who masterminds the takeover.
  • John Cusack plays U.S. Marshal Vince Larkin, who tries to stop the hijackers.
  • Con Air was Simon West’s feature directorial debut.
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Canadian context

Con Air was widely distributed in English-speaking markets, including Canada, and remains familiar to Canadian audiences as a late-1990s Hollywood action film.

Frequently asked questions

What is Con Air about?
It is about a prisoner transport flight hijacked by dangerous inmates, with a parolee on board trying to survive and stop them.
Who directed Con Air?
Con Air was directed by Simon West.
Who stars in Con Air?
The film stars Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, and John Malkovich.
When was Con Air released?
It was released in the United States on June 6, 1997.
What genre is Con Air?
It is an action thriller film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Con_Air
    Supports: Director, release year, cast, premise, and identification as a 1997 American action thriller film.
  2. Disney D23 — https://d23.com/a-to-z/con-air-film/
    Supports: Directed by Simon West, released June 6, 1997, principal cast, runtime, and plot summary.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/con_air
    Supports: Director, producer, screenwriter, genre, release date, runtime, rating, and box office listing.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118880/
    Supports: Basic premise, cast, and release date.