In the year 2035, convict James Cole reluctantly volunteers to be sent back in time to discover the origin of a deadly virus that wiped out nearly all of the earth's population and forced the survivors into underground communities. But when Cole is mistakenly sent to 1990 instead of 1996, he's arrested and locked up in a mental hospital. There he meets psychiatrist Dr. Kathryn Railly and the son of a famous virus expert who may hold the key to the Army of the 12 Monkeys; thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease.
Acting
Brad Pitt's unhinged motormouth—Oscar-nominated chaos personified.
Direction
Gilliam's grimy future-noir aesthetic, no clean lines allowed.
Writing
Chris Marker's La Jetée reimagined; loops tighter than time itself.
Director
Terry Gilliam
Bruce Willis
James Cole
Madeleine Stowe
Dr. Kathryn Railly
Brad Pitt
Jeffrey Goines
Christopher Plummer
Dr. Goines
David Morse
Dr. Peters
Jon Seda
Jose
Christopher Meloni
Lt. Halperin
Joey Perillo
Detective Franki
LisaGay Hamilton
Teddy
Matt Ross
Bee
Annie Golden
Woman Cabbie
Bob Adrian
Geologist
Bill Raymond
Microbiologist
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Gilliam fought studio demands for a 'happy ending'—the airport scene stayed intact because test audiences hated the ambiguity.
The Army of the 12 Monkeys became accidental prophecy: founded in 1990, the actual activist group started *after* the film's release.
US
