Credit: 20th Century Studios
Update: Donald Trump has mobilized National Guard and Marines in a United States city.
Like all art forms, movies are influenced by our past and present. But occasionally, a film will be so aware of the world around it that it seems to predict the future. The 2011 film Contagion mirrored elements of the Covid 19 pandemic with an alarming level of accuracy, and some claim the 2006 comedy Idiocracy is not far off from our current political environment. However, I’d argue that the film with the greatest level of foresight is the 1998 thriller The Siege, and here’s why.
The Plot
The year is 1998, and New York City has yet to see a large-scale coordinated terrorist attack. When innocent people start dying in organized and targeted explosions, an FBI anti-terrorism team led by Agent Anthony Hubbard (Denzel Washington) and a mysterious CIA agent (Annette Bening) must rush to track down the terrorist cells responsible. But when fear grips the nation and the US military is deployed, Hubbard finds himself fighting a war on two fronts.
Some spoilers to follow
The Predictions
When The Siege was first released it earned mixed reviews and was criticized as “clumsy” by Roger Ebert. Just four years later, it would gain a frightening level of relevance as words like “terrorist cell” and “IED” became common in post-9/11 America. Its depiction of caged Middle Eastern men reflected images of Japanese American internment camps of the 1940s. It would once again be a reality in 2016 with the harsh border policies during Donald Trump’s first term as president.
Credit: 20th Century Studios
The most frightening prediction that The Siege makes is one that has not happened yet. In President Donald Trump, The United States has a Commander in Chief who has openly suggested unleashing the US military on American streets, and against its own citizens. While The Siege only gives a brief glimpse of this, it successfully shows just how terrifying such a thing would be.
The Review
The Siege is a true roller coaster from beginning to end. It displays the nuance of the Muslim American population and the complexity of the conflict. The story flows and evolves, constantly keeping you on your toes. The initial response from critics was lukewarm, but I think the film’s sometimes erratic nature feels right for the story they are telling.
Credit: 20th Century Studios
The cast is incredible. Of course, Denzel Washington is the master of intensity, and Annette Bening thrives as the shape-shifting “spook”. On the opposite End of the spectrum, Bruce Willis provides a cold and calculating military man, with an intimidating iron will. His performance was underappreciated when the film debuted, even earning him a Golden Raspberry award for worst performance. Despite this, I think it has an underlying intensity that feels right for the character. Willis also delivers a line that feels especially chilling at this moment in history
“The Army is a broadsword, not a scalpel. Trust me, senator, you do not want the Army in an American city.”
Credit: 20th Century Studios
Tony Shalhoub plays possibly the most important character in The Siege. Frank Haddad is a Lebanese American FBI agent and Frank Hubbard’s right-hand man. This was a brilliant move because having an Arab American protagonist adds to the complexity and raises the stakes later in the film. Add to that Shalhoub’s effortless charm and intensity, and you get a character that is extremely compelling to watch.
The Bottom Line
In its day, The Siege never truly found its audience. However, it remains a well-executed and unconventional thriller that is all too relevant in today’s chaotic world. If you are interested in a powerful story, well-developed characters, and a harsh look at American military might, The Siege is well worth your time.
Update: As of June 12th, 2025, Trump has mobilized 4,000 national guard troops and 700 Marines to the streets of Los Angeles, California. This was in response to protests in a small section of Los Angeles, which had led to some isolated acts of violence. While not yet invoking the Insurection Act, which would empower these troops to engage in active policing actions, this is one step closer to the martial law depicted in The Siege.
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