While many point to Steven Soderbergh’sOcean’strilogy as George Clooney’s finest work with the director, their most compelling partnership unfolded three years earlier in the stylish crime caper,Out of Sight. The 1998 thriller stars Clooney and Jennifer Lopez, and is something of an underrated gem inSoderbergh’s collection of films.Out of Sightis anadaptation of a novel by Elmore Leonard, and centers on the bank robber, Jack Foley (Clooney.) Foley is being pursued by the U.S. Marshal, Karen Sisco (Lopez) after his escape from prison, and the heart of the film is the relationship betweenOut of Sight’s main characters.
As a leading figure in Hollywood with numerous iconic roles to his name,Out of Sighthas since become one of thedefining movies of George Clooney’s career.His depiction as Jack Foley cemented his status as a respected and influential Hollywood icon, althoughOut of Sightwas not as celebrated as it should have been at the time. Soderbergh has since addressed his frustration with box office trends, indicating that mid-budget films often struggle to find an audience. This is mostly evident in films such asOut of Sight, or Soderbergh’s more recent 2025 film,Black Bag.
George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez Are The Standouts In Out of Sight
Out of Sightis a visceral crime genre moviethat is far more memorable for its central performances than any of its heavy violence or action sequences. Clocking in at 123 minutes, the film is anchored by the lead performances from George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez.Out of Sight’s Foley and Sisco are considered among the most captivating characters in both Steven Soderbergh’s filmography and the broader genre. In fact,the pair’s performances are a constant focal point in reviews forOut of Sight, emphasizing their electric chemistry, as well as the depth of their characters.
Foley and Sisco share palpable chemistry which drives the entire narrative, immediately captivating audiences from the moment the film begins.The interplay betweenOut of Sight’s lead characters elevates the film’s intrigue,making it a standout in Clooney’s filmography. These lead performances are even more remarkable given that both Clooney and Lopez, although well-regarded, were still in the process of establishing themselves in the industry at the time. Particularly Clooney, who was mostly still transitioning from TV to film at the time of production, and working to cement his status as a leading man.
Out of Sight Is Still Massively Underrated 27 Years After Its Release
Out of Sight Is Available On Streaming And Is More Than Worth A Viewing
In many respects,Out of Sightis very similar to Quentin Tarantino’sJackie Brown.Releasing in a post-Pulp Fictionlandscape where quirky crime films were more common, it’s rather surprising that Soderbergh’s feature didn’t perform so well. That said,Out of Sightwas a far cry from anything Soderbergh had done previously, which is perhaps why it didn’t become a significant box office hit during its theatrical run. Critics did give the film high praise, however. Since then, the significant success ofSoderbergh’sOceanstrilogy, along with acclaimed films likeTrafficandErin Brockovich, has unfortunately overshadowed this particular feature.
2022
100%
62%
2019
97%
75%
Sex, Lies, and Videotape
1989
96%
79%
2025
70%
2014
87%
2023
94%
–
1998
74%
2013
71%
2001
93%
85%
As expected,Out of Sightis available to stream across numerous services. Although this has not always been the case, as the movie did previously lack consistent, readily available streaming options. Whether or not you’re a Soderbergh fan, the feature offers broad appealand has cemented its place as a top Hollywood crime film, makingOut of Sightmore than worth watching. Regardless of not breaking records or topping streaming charts, itsreputation has managed to grow significantly over time, andOut of Sightis now frequently cited as a classic, as well as a turning point in the careers of Steven Soderbergh and its lead actors.
