Brian De Palma's 1998 thriller Snake Eyes wasn't fully embraced on release, but it has woven its way into cult-movie fandom on the strength of its unique style and intriguing narrative. On this episode of Slept-On Cinema, we make the case for why it deserves a closer look.
What Is Snake Eyes About?
Snake Eyes stars Nicolas Cage as Rick Santoro, a flamboyant Atlantic City police detective who finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy during a high-profile boxing match. The film opens with an elaborate (roughly) 13-minute tracking shot — a signature De Palma move — that sets the stage for a night of mystery and deceit. As the layers peel back, Santoro's journey dives into corruption, betrayal, and an elusive quest for redemption.
Why Critics Were Wrong
The real-time storytelling and frequent perspective shifts create a genuine puzzle for the audience. The film's commitment to showing the same event from multiple viewpoints heightens the suspense and cleverly dramatizes the subjective nature of truth — an ambition critics undersold at the time.
Why It Works
Nicolas Cage's Santoro is both charismatic and complex, a man caught between the dazzle of corruption and a desperate grasp for morality. De Palma's continuous takes, split screens, and roving camera create a visceral experience that's both disorienting and mesmerizing — cinematography that serves the tension and elevates the whole film.
BOLO
Be on the lookout for the opening tracking shot, the split-screen reveals, and Cage operating at full voltage.
The Bumper Sticker
Snake Eyes: everyone saw it happen, nobody saw the truth.
Keep Rewatching the Cluster
FAQ
Who directed Snake Eyes?
Brian De Palma directed the 1998 thriller, with Nicolas Cage starring as Rick Santoro.
Is Snake Eyes underrated?
Yes — its real-time structure and bravura camerawork have aged far better than its mixed 1998 reviews suggest.
Tune in to our Slept-On Cinema episode on Snake Eyes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.