The “Indefensibly Violent” ’90s Action Classic That “Set a New Standard” Returns to Thrill Fans on Free Streaming

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The 1990s were known for big, exciting action movies. Films like Con Air, The Rock, Cliffhanger, and Point Break are still popular today because they were so much fun to watch. But in 1997, one movie really stood out – it was even more over-the-top and violent than the rest, making it endlessly rewatchable. Plus, it featured two of the biggest stars at the time. Now, almost 30 years later, it’s coming to free streaming so everyone can enjoy it again.

I remember when Face/Off came out on June 27, 1997! It was only John Woo’s third American film, following Hard Target and Broken Arrow. What really surprised me was how much critics loved it – it wasn’t just explosions! They praised the way it looked and the really clever idea of having two major stars essentially swap identities in this incredibly action-packed story. Even Roger Ebert, who’s a tough critic, said it worked better than expected, and a lot of people thought it changed the game for action movies going forward.

FBI agent Sean Archer (Travolta) is determined to capture terrorist Castor Troy (Cage). He finds Troy about to fly out of Los Angeles, but the plane crashes, leaving Troy critically injured, and possibly dead. Archer makes the daring decision to have surgery to wear Troy’s face as a disguise, hoping to get information about a bomb from Troy’s brother. However, Troy survives and forces the surgeon to put Archer’s face on him.

‘Face/Off’ Was Ahead of Its Time


Paramount Pictures

With a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Face/Off was remarkably forward-thinking. Beyond its thrilling action, the film explored surprisingly complex themes of identity and loss. It also foreshadowed today’s world of deepfakes, which often blur the line between what’s real and fake. In 1997, the concept of face-swapping was still novel, and director John Woo’s confident handling of the idea—and his vision of future technology—helped Face/Off become a truly memorable film.

As a longtime fan, I’m thrilled to report that John Woo’s over-the-top masterpiece, Face/Off, is heading to Tubi on November 1, 2025! If you’ve been waiting for a chance to revisit this action classic – or if you somehow missed it the first time around – you’ll be able to stream it for free. Trust me, it’s a wild ride worth revisiting (or discovering!).

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2025-10-22 20:52