#hard rain

50 years ago today!

Hard Rain (1998) Mikael Salomon has never made a film that really interested me. Yet I threw myself into his Big Driver (2014), which is an adaptation of Stephen King, which I haven’t read. And I liked it a lot. On the other hand, here… it’s more the kind of 90s action film that went unnoticed and not without reason! And that’s despite a sense of humour that made me laugh out loud at times and…

Mistakes hold me here,

Reminding me I’m to blame. Suffering.

I guess I got what I wanted.

The 1998 action movie Hard Rain seemed destined for success on paper. With an all-star lineup including Christian Slater, Morgan Freeman, Minnie Driver, Ed Asner, and the legendary Betty White, it had serious star power. The story takes place in a small Indiana town during a record-breaking storm, where a nephew and his uncle, both armored truck drivers, must fend off a gang of thieves trying to steal $3 million—all while battling the deadly chaos of a catastrophic flood. Drama, danger, and betrayal are all on the menu.

With its flashy special effects and stellar cast, this movie had all the makings of a box-office hit. But when Hard Rain hit theaters, it made more of a splash than a wave. From a hefty $70 million budget, it only raked in $19.9 million, failing to capture the hearts (or wallets) of critics and audiences alike. Critics weren’t exactly kind either, dismissing it as over-the-top and chaotic.

But something funny happened over time. Hard Rain didn’t sink—it swam. After its disappointing theatrical run, the movie found a second life on cable, home video, and, more recently, streaming platforms. Over two decades later, it has carved out a loyal fanbase that appreciates its unpredictable twists, high-stakes action, and the sheer audacity of setting major shootouts and standoffs in a flooded town.

Christian Slater himself described Hard Rain as a movie that aimed to be more than your average disaster film. Talking about the film at the time of its release, Slater shared that they wanted an action-packed thrill ride but also a story with depth, filled with flawed, fascinating characters.