Ticker

San Francisco detective Ray Nettles and his partner Fuzzy find themselves tangling with a dangerous terrorist cell. The case heats up when a scientist named Claire Manning is arrested, and the gang’s ruthless leader, Swan, vows to unleash bombs unless she is freed. With time running out and innocent lives at stake, Nettles teams with Frank Glass, a renowned explosive expert, to thwart the plot. As the clock ticks, the investigators must balance street smarts with technical know-how while the city fumbles through a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. The chase runs through dimly lit streets and sterile laboratories as secrets creep into the equation.

Directed by Albert Pyun, Ticker appeared in 2001 with a story by Paul B Margolis. The film stars Tom Sizemore as Nettles, Steven Seagal as Glass, and Dennis Hopper as Swan, produced on about seven million dollars and strong performances.

Audiences gave it a mixed reception, reflected in a 3.7 out of 10 average on IMDb from 128 votes. The film leans on paced action and gadgetry while exploring the pressure officials face when civilian lives hang in balance. The sound design and practical effects add grit to the action.

Within the circles that follow Albert Pyun and late 90s to early 2000s action thrillers, Ticker has a modest cult status thanks to the unlikely pairing of Sizemore and Seagal and Dennis Hopper's presence. Fans discuss its compact production and gritty city spy vibes, and debate its bold tonal shifts.

There are no major awards or nominations associated with Ticker. The film tends to be overlooked in traditional award circles, serving mainly as a footnote in the careers of its big name cast and in Albert Pyun's diverse body of work today.