The Terminator
In the post-apocalyptic future, reigning tyrannical supercomputers teleport a cyborg assassin known as the "Terminator" back to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead insurgents against 21st century mechanical hegemony. Meanwhile, the human-resistance movement dispatches a lone warrior to safeguard Sarah. Can he stop the virtually indestructible killing machine?
Critics Sentiment
Terminator rises as metal skeleton after truck explosion
Reese interrogated while Sarah learns of Ginger's murder
The film jumps from its slowest interrogation sequence to the iconic police station massacre that reviewers universally praise.
The Terminator maintains consistently high audience approval throughout most of its runtime, with particular peaks during the police station massacre and endoskeleton reveal. Critics consistently praise Arnold's iconic performance, the innovative time travel concept, and Cameron's tight direction, with only minor pacing concerns in quieter character moments.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 48
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Terminator
Michael Biehn
Kyle Reese
Linda Hamilton
Sarah Connor
Paul Winfield
Traxler
Lance Henriksen
Vukovich
Rick Rossovich
Matt
Bess Motta
Ginger
Earl Boen
Silberman
Dick Miller
Pawnshop Clerk
Shawn Schepps
Nancy
Bruce M. Kerner
Desk Sergeant
Franco Columbu
Future Terminator
Bill Paxton
Punk Leader
Brad Rearden
Punk
Brian Thompson
Punk
William Wisher
Policeman
Ken Fritz
Policeman
Tom Oberhaus
Policeman
Ed Dogans
Cop in Alley
Joe Farago
TV Anchorman
Crew
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