Snake Eyes (1998) is a slick, suspenseful thriller directed by Brian De Palma, known for his stylistic camera work and psychological tension. The movie stars Nicolas Cage at his most unhinged and magnetic, playing a corrupt cop caught in a storm of deceit, murder, and moral reckoning — all during a single, chaotic night in Atlantic City.
Detailed Summary
Opening Sequence: The Storm, The Fight, and The Crime
The movie kicks off with a masterclass in filmmaking — a long, unbroken shot following Detective Rick Santoro (Nicolas Cage), a loud, fast-talking, morally flexible cop attending a heavyweight boxing match at an Atlantic City casino. Santoro is there to enjoy the night, betting on the fight and schmoozing with the crowd, including his best friend, Commander Kevin Dunne (Gary Sinise), who is in charge of security for the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Charles Kirkland.
Everything changes when, mid-fight, the Secretary of Defense is assassinated. Pandemonium erupts. The event takes place in an enclosed arena filled with 14,000 witnesses, yet somehow, the killer escapes. Santoro takes charge of the chaotic scene and begins piecing together what happened.
The Mystery Deepens
As Santoro investigates, he meets Julia Costello (Carla Gugino), a mysterious woman who was seated next to the Secretary and was apparently trying to warn him moments before the shooting. She claims that the assassination was part of a larger government conspiracy involving a new missile defense system. Her testimony directly contradicts what Commander Dunne is saying.
Rick starts to realize that the story doesn’t add up. Surveillance footage is missing. Witnesses are lying. The supposed assassin might just be a scapegoat. And worst of all, someone he trusts might be deeply involved.
The Revelation: Friends and Betrayal
The heart of the story lies in the relationship between Santoro and Dunne. As Rick pieces the puzzle together, it becomes horrifyingly clear that Dunne orchestrated the assassination. His motive? To cover up a failed weapons deal and ensure a military project he supports goes through.
Julia’s discovery threatened to expose everything, so Dunne arranged the entire scenario — the fight, the chaos, the assassination — to silence her and the Secretary before the truth could come out.
Movie Ending
The final act is set during the height of a raging hurricane, trapping everyone inside the casino. Rick Santoro confronts Dunne, who offers him a deal: take the money and keep quiet. For once, the normally corrupt Santoro has a moment of conscience and refuses.
In a tense, rain-drenched standoff, Dunne tries to kill Julia to silence her, but Rick intervenes. The police arrive just in time, alerted by the chaos and explosions caused by the storm. Dunne, realizing he’s cornered and that his military career is over, takes his own life with his service pistol.
Rick, however, doesn’t come out unscathed. His involvement in past corrupt activities is exposed during the investigation, and although he’s hailed as a temporary hero for saving Julia and exposing the plot, he’s soon arrested for his own crimes.
In the film’s closing moments, Julia visits a construction site where the new casino is being rebuilt. She finds a red stone from her necklace embedded in the concrete — a symbolic reminder of truth buried beneath corruption. Rick’s voiceover reflects on how he “almost made it,” underscoring the tragedy of a man who could’ve been good but waited too long to change.
It’s a bleak, bittersweet ending — classic De Palma.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Snake Eyes does not feature any post-credits scenes. The film ends conclusively with Rick’s downfall and Julia’s symbolic reflection. No hints at sequels or hidden scenes appear after the credits.
Type of Movie
Snake Eyes is a neo-noir crime thriller with strong elements of mystery, political conspiracy, and psychological tension. It blends the flashy style of late-90s cinema with De Palma’s signature voyeuristic camera work and Hitchcock-inspired suspense.
Cast
- Nicolas Cage as Detective Rick Santoro
- Gary Sinise as Commander Kevin Dunne
- Carla Gugino as Julia Costello
- John Heard as Charles Kirkland (Secretary of Defense)
- Stan Shaw as Lincoln Tyler (the boxer)
- Kevin Dunn as Lou Logan (the TV commentator)
- Luis Guzmán as Cyrus (the bookie)
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, whose atmospheric music perfectly complements the film’s tension and claustrophobic setting. The soundtrack combines eerie synth tones and orchestral elements that build unease throughout the story.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily filmed in Atlantic City, New Jersey, especially inside the Trump Taj Mahal Casino and nearby boardwalk areas. These real-world locations add authenticity and a seedy glamour to the film’s atmosphere. The hurricane scenes were filmed on elaborate sets in Los Angeles, built to simulate flooding and destruction within the casino.
Awards and Nominations
Snake Eyes didn’t collect major awards, but it received praise for its cinematography and opening tracking shot, which has become one of the most studied in film schools. It’s a cult favorite among De Palma enthusiasts for its technical brilliance, despite mixed reviews on the story itself.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The opening “one-take” shot was actually several long takes cleverly stitched together to appear seamless. It runs about 13 minutes and is one of De Palma’s most famous sequences.
- Nicolas Cage improvised much of his dialogue, injecting his character with manic, unpredictable energy.
- De Palma designed the film’s geography like a stage play — nearly everything takes place within one building over a single night.
- The hurricane subplot was a late addition to raise the tension and justify why no one could leave the casino.
Inspirations and References
The film’s concept draws from classic noir thrillers like Rear Window and The Big Clock. De Palma himself cited Rashomon as an influence — multiple perspectives revealing different pieces of the same event. The film’s themes of corruption, voyeurism, and moral decay are quintessential De Palma trademarks.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
An alternate ending was originally filmed: the hurricane completely floods the casino, and Rick drowns while trying to save Julia. Test audiences found it too depressing, so De Palma changed it to the current ending, where Rick survives but faces justice.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Snake Eyes is not based on a book, though its script (by David Koepp) feels very literary in structure. It borrows stylistic elements from noir fiction but is an original screenplay.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The 13-minute single-shot opening sequence following Rick through the casino.
- The shocking mid-fight assassination scene.
- The confrontation between Santoro and Dunne in the flooded hallway.
- The ending scene with Julia discovering the red stone.
Iconic Quotes
- Rick Santoro: “You got your bad guys and you got your good guys, and I’m the guy who’s just trying to make a buck.”
- Kevin Dunne: “You think you can play hero now, Rick? Too late for that.”
- Rick Santoro: “It’s not too late if you’re still breathing.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The title Snake Eyes refers to both the boxing match and the idea of bad luck — seeing “snake eyes” in dice means total loss.
- De Palma uses security camera perspectives as a motif for deception and voyeurism — an homage to Blow Out (1981).
- The hurricane outside mirrors the moral storm inside the casino.
Trivia
- The boxing match was choreographed by real fight consultants to ensure realism.
- Gary Sinise reportedly modeled his performance after high-ranking military officers he met while researching.
- The movie’s entire timeline takes place over about two hours of in-universe time.
- Nicolas Cage and Brian De Palma later discussed a sequel idea — but it never materialized.
Why Watch?
Watch Snake Eyes if you love stylish thrillers dripping with atmosphere, conspiracies, and morally complex characters. It’s a feast of cinematography, full of De Palma’s signature split screens, swirling cameras, and morally gray heroes. Plus, Nicolas Cage’s performance alone is worth the ticket — it’s chaotic perfection.
Director’s Other Movies
- Blow Out (1981)
- Scarface (1983)
- The Untouchables (1987)
- Carlito’s Way (1993)
- Mission: Impossible (1996)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Blow Out (1981)
- Body Double (1984)
- L.A. Confidential (1997)
- The Game (1997)
- Heat (1995)
- The Conversation (1974)
