Why Eddie Murphy’s 1997 action thriller Metro remains a polarizing Hollywood experiment

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Released in 1997, Metro was an ambitious attempt to pivot Eddie Murphy toward edgier, dramatic territory. While the film grossed $74.4 million, it faced harsh critical reception and internal friction. Years later, the project remains a curious case study in the tension between creative intent and the realities of blockbuster filmmaking.

In February 1995, Caravan Pictures secured the script for Metro with a $1 million bid, eventually casting Eddie Murphy as the lead. Murphy, seeking to move beyond his traditional comedic roles, aimed for a performance that balanced drama with his signature humor. Director Thomas Carter and producer Roger Birnbaum supported this vision, hoping to ground the character of Inspector Scott Roper in a more realistic, serious tone. Murphy later described the role as the most physically demanding of his career, noting the toll that action-heavy filming took on his body.

The production was marked by a distinct visual and tonal ambition. Carter and cinematographer Fred Murphy attempted to blend artistic cinematography with standard action thriller conventions. Despite these efforts, the film struggled to find critical favor. Reviewers like Stephen Holden criticized its reliance on exaggerated physics and tired tropes, such as the climactic scene featuring a heroine tied to a machine. While some, like Roger Ebert, praised Murphy’s performance and the staging of action sequences, others found the narrative clichéd and the tone inconsistent.

The film's legacy is further complicated by the conflicting perspectives of its cast and crew. Director Thomas Carter later identified the R-rating as a significant career mistake that hindered the film's reception. Meanwhile, co-star Michael Rapaport expressed disappointment, feeling the director’s attempt to emulate the tone of Seven clashed with the actors' desire for natural banter. Despite these internal critiques and a low 17% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film maintained a B+ grade from audiences and, in a 2024 interview, Murphy expressed a continued fondness for the project.

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