Mike Gallagher is a Miami liquor wholesaler whose deceased father was a local mobster. The FBI organized crime task force have no evidence that he's involved with the mob but decide to pressure him into perhaps revealing something - anything - about a murder they're sure was a mob hit. They let Megan Carter, a naive but well-meaning journalist, know he is being investigated and Gallagher's name is soon all over the newspaper. Gallagher has an iron-clad alibi for when the murd... (Full plot summary below)
FREE with your Prime (USA) subscription or when you start a 30-day free trial!
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | UK only | 1 Month Free Trial | 16 Jan 2017 | 5108 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 79% |  Report: Broken Link |   |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 26 Jan 2020 | 3717 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 86% | Report: Broken Link | |
| IRELAND only | 1 Month Free Trial | 29 Jul 2013 | 3155 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 96% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 04 Feb 2025 | 742 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 93% | Report: Broken Link | |
![Its HD [Absence of Malice]](/images/logos/icons/itshd.png){kind=icon} | WORLDWIDE | ? | 10 Jan 2024 | 3553 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 86% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 22 May 2025 | 751 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 61% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | Free Credit | 29 Jan 2014 | 134 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 51% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 05 Nov 2025 | 128 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 37% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 24 Mar 2022 | 15 | SD / TV | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 15% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 12 Aug 2022 | 198 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 26% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 04 Apr 2025 | 43 | SD / TV | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 18% | Report: Broken Link | |
Links compiled using automated software. Availability of offers subject to change / might be region specific / out of date.
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 13 Mar 2014 | 2233 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Post | 83% |  Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | N/A | 13 Mar 2014 | 104 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Post | 11% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 13 Mar 2014 | 230 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Mail | 20% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 13 Mar 2014 | 7614 | SD / DVD | DVD RentalRent by Mail | 96% | Report: Broken Link | |
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 11 Oct 2019 | 284 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Post | 88% | Report: Broken Link | |
| UK only | N/A | 11 Oct 2019 | 77 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Post | 51% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 13 Mar 2014 | 789 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Mail | 12% | Report: Broken Link | |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 11 Oct 2019 | 3215 | HD / BR | Blu Ray RentalRent by Mail | 89% | Report: Broken Link | |
Mike Gallagher is a Miami liquor wholesaler whose deceased father was a local mobster. The FBI organized crime task force have no evidence that he's involved with the mob but decide to pressure him into perhaps revealing something - anything - about a murder they're sure was a mob hit. They let Megan Carter, a naive but well-meaning journalist, know he is being investigated and Gallagher's name is soon all over the newspaper. Gallagher has an iron-clad alibi for when the murder occurred but won't reveal it to protect his fragile friend Teresa. When Carter publishes her story, tragedy ensues. Needing to make amends, Carter tells Gallagher the source of the first story about him and he sets out to teach the FBI and the Federal Attorney a lesson.
Leave your thoughts about Absence of Malice.
| EmanuelLevy.ComEmanuel LevyDespite good intentions, this uneven drama might disturb women as the journalist played by Sally Field is not only irresponsible but also not very bright; Paul Newman compensates with a strong turn. |
| NetflixJames RocchiThe ultimate conclusion of the film will leave you thoughtful and even perhaps a touch sad -- rare for any film, and even more rare for a thriller. |
| The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Jay ScottA wildly overwritten melodrama about the sins of the press. Newman's character is compelling, but Field's reporter is such a lamebrain that we know she would be fired at any major newspaper. [25 Dec 1981] |
| Cinema em CenaPablo VillaçaAlém de errar ao não condenar os absurdos cometidos pela repórter vivida por Field, o filme inclui um romance forçado e implausível. Definitivamente, não envelheceu bem. |
| The New YorkerPauline KaelThe fact is, this movie is really about a woman's spunk and a common man's sneaky revenge. And on that level it's absorbing and entertaining. |
| eFilmCritic.comScott WeinbergSally Field and Paul Newman deliver some great work in this look at journalistic warfare. |
| The New York TimesJanet MaslinEven when the action seems wrongheaded—and it frequently does—the movie is richly textured and well played. |
| Chicago ReaderDave KehrFor all of its simplemindedness and deck stacking, the film is distressingly well made—Pollack is no artist, but he has a glistening technique (there aren't many American directors left who know how to plan their shots for such smooth cutting) and a strong sense of how to hold, cajole, and gratify an audience. |
| Associated PressBob ThomasAbsence Of Malice is a well-acted, smoothly paced melodrama that suffers from an illogical premise. |
| VarietyVariety StaffA splendidly disturbing look at the power of sloppy reporting to inflict harm on the innocent. |
