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Snake Eyes

Snake Eyes is a 1998 American mystery thriller film directed and produced by Brian De Palma.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Snake Eyes is a 1998 American mystery thriller film directed and produced by Brian De Palma. It stars Nicolas Cage as a detective who investigates a political assassination during a boxing match in Atlantic City. The film was released by Paramount Pictures in North America and by Buena Vista International internationally on August 7, 1998.

Plot

The film follows detective Rick Santoro as he attends a boxing match in Atlantic City and becomes involved in the investigation of a murder. The case leads to a larger conspiracy involving political figures and security lapses.

Cast and crew

The principal cast includes Nicolas Cage, Gary Sinise, Carla Gugino, John Heard, Stan Shaw, Kevin Dunn, Joel Fabiani, and Luis Guzmán. The film was directed and produced by Brian De Palma and written by David Koepp.

Release and reception

Snake Eyes was released theatrically on August 7, 1998, in North America and internationally. Reported gross figures place its worldwide box office at roughly $104 million against a reported $73 million budget.

Music and production

The score was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. The film was produced by Paramount Pictures for North America and distributed internationally by Buena Vista International through Touchstone Pictures.

Key facts

  • The film is a mystery thriller centered on a killing at a boxing event in Atlantic City.
  • Nicolas Cage plays Rick Santoro, a police detective.
  • Gary Sinise plays a U.S. Navy commander who appears in the investigation.
  • The story involves political intrigue and an assassination plot.
  • It grossed about $104 million worldwide against a reported $73 million budget.

Frequently asked questions

Is Snake Eyes a 1998 film or a 2021 film?
The canonical title here refers to the 1998 film directed by Brian De Palma.
Who stars in Snake Eyes?
The film stars Nicolas Cage, Gary Sinise, Carla Gugino, John Heard, Stan Shaw, Kevin Dunn, Joel Fabiani, and Luis Guzmán.
What is Snake Eyes about?
It is about a detective investigating a murder and political assassination conspiracy during a boxing match in Atlantic City.
Who directed Snake Eyes?
Brian De Palma directed and produced the film.
When was Snake Eyes released?
It was released on August 7, 1998.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_Eyes_(1998_film)
    Supports: Director, cast, plot overview, release date, soundtrack composer, and worldwide gross
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120832/
    Supports: United States release date
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/snake_eyes
    Supports: Genre, director, runtime, release date, and synopsis
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/16915411
    Supports: Synopsis and principal cast for the 1998 film