While many point to Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's trilogy as George Clooney's finest work with the director, their most compelling partnership unfolded three years earlier in the stylish crime caper, Soderbergh's collection of films. Out of Sight is an adaptation 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 between Out of Sight's main characters.

As a leading figure in Hollywood with numerous iconic roles to his name, Out of Sight has since become one of the defining movies of George Clooney's career. His depiction as Jack Foley cemented his status as a respected and influential Hollywood icon, although Out of Sight was 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 as Out of Sight, or Soderbergh's more recent 2025 film, Black Bag.

Out of Sight's Lead Characters Are More Interesting Than Ocean's 11's

George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez Are The Standouts In Out of Sight

Out of Sight is a visceral crime genre movie that 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 for Out 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 between Out 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

An image of George Clooney looking at someone off screen in Out of Sight
Image via Universal Pictures

In many respects, Out of Sight is very similar to Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown. Releasing in a post-Pulp Fiction landscape where quirky crime films were more common, it's rather surprising that Soderbergh's feature didn't perform so well. That said, Out of Sight was 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 of Soderbergh's Oceans trilogy, along with acclaimed films like Traffic and Erin Brockovich, has unfortunately overshadowed this particular feature.

Soderbergh's Highest-Rated Movies (According to Rotten Tomatoes)

Year

Critic Rating

Audience Rating

Is That Black Enough for You?!?

2022

100%

62%

Beats

2019

97%

75%

Sex, Lies, and Videotape

1989

96%

79%

Black Bag

2025

96%

70%

Citizenfour

2014

96%

87%

Once Within a Time

2023

94%

--

Out of Sight

1998

94%

74%

Behind the Candelabra

2013

94%

71%

Traffic

2001

93%

85%

As expected, Out of Sight is 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 appeal and has cemented its place as a top Hollywood crime film, making Out of Sight more than worth watching. Regardless of not breaking records or topping streaming charts, its reputation has managed to grow significantly over time, and Out of Sight is now frequently cited as a classic, as well as a turning point in the careers of Steven Soderbergh and its lead actors.

Out of Sight 1998 Movie Poster-1

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Out of Sight
Release Date
June 26, 1998
Runtime
123 minutes

WHERE TO WATCH

Cast
George Clooney, Jim Robinson, Mike Malone, Donna Frenzel, Manny Suárez, Dennis Farina
Writers
Elmore Leonard, Scott Frank
Main Genre
Comedy