🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Roger Spottiswoode
- Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Mystery
- Release year: 2000
- Runtime (length): 2h 3min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (134K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 19%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Arnold Schwarzenegger gets cloned, fights himself (and others), and questions the meaning of life, all while dodging laser bullets and questionable ethical practices.
🍿 The 6th Day: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to a Cloned Future
The film introduces a near-future world where cloning is commonplace for animals and organs, but illegal for humans. Adam Gibson (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a family man and helicopter pilot who values traditional life, even as technology advances around him. This setting establishes the core conflict: the ethical boundaries of cloning and the implications for humanity.

A Shocking Discovery
Adam’s life takes a dramatic turn when he returns home on his birthday to find himself already there, celebrating with his family. This doppelganger is not a twin but a clone, leading Adam into a dangerous conspiracy involving Replacement Technologies, a powerful corporation led by Michael Drucker (Tony Goldwyn). He is suddenly thrust into a fight for his identity and survival.

Unraveling the Conspiracy
As Adam investigates, he uncovers a network of illegal human cloning orchestrated by Drucker and his team, including Dr. Griffin Weir (Robert Duvall). He learns that Drucker clones himself and his associates to cheat death, inserting genetic flaws to control the clone’s lifespan. Adam finds himself hunted by relentless assassins who are also repeatedly cloned after each failed attempt, creating a cycle of violence and pursuit.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Adam Gibson (Arnold Schwarzenegger): A helicopter pilot who finds his life turned upside down when he discovers he has been illegally cloned.
- Michael Drucker (Tony Goldwyn): The wealthy CEO of Replacement Technologies who is secretly involved in illegal human cloning.
- Hank Morgan (Michael Rapaport): Adam’s friend and business partner who gets entangled in the cloning conspiracy.
- Dr. Griffin Weir (Robert Duvall): The brilliant scientist and inventor of cloning technology who struggles with the ethical implications of his work.
- Talia Elsworth (Sarah Wynter): A skilled and ruthless assassin working for Drucker to eliminate threats to his cloning operation.
- Natalie Gibson (Wendy Crewson): Adam’s wife who is unknowingly caught in the middle of the cloning conspiracy.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Adam Gibson: “I might be back.” – A classic Schwarzenegger line, delivered with a wink as he prepares for a dangerous confrontation.
- Adam Gibson: “I know who I am!” – Adam exclaims this during a moment of identity crisis after discovering he might be a clone.
- Adam Gibson: “So you can go fuck yourself!” – Adam responds sarcastically to Drucker’s question about cloning himself to understand Adam’s perspective.
- Drucker: “Death is a disease, Mr. Gibson. And I’m in the process of finding a cure.” – Drucker explains his motivation for cloning and his belief that he’s fighting against mortality itself.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $82,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $34,604,280
- Worldwide Gross: $96,085,477
💥 The 6th Day Reviews
Personal Review
I remember seeing this movie as a teenager and being blown away by the concept of cloning and the moral questions it raised. Arnold playing opposite himself was fun, and the action sequences were decent enough to keep me entertained. While it’s not a perfect movie, ‘The 6th Day’ definitely left an impression on me and sparked my interest in sci-fi thrillers. Certain scenes, like the RePet shop and the SimDoll, were particularly memorable and added to the futuristic feel. The ethical dilemmas in the film also gave me pause to consider the possible implications of cloning. It was a very thought provoking film.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger action films”
- “Viewers interested in science fiction thrillers with cloning themes”
- “Those who enjoy movies with futuristic settings and technology”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Intense action violence”
- “Sci-fi themes that may be disturbing to some viewers”
- “Brief language and suggestive content”
Professional Reviews
- The New York Times: “While ‘The 6th Day’ offers fleeting moments of futuristic intrigue, it ultimately succumbs to predictable action tropes and a shallow exploration of its ethical themes. Schwarzenegger delivers his signature performance, but the film lacks the depth to resonate beyond its superficial thrills.
- Variety: “Roger Spottiswoode directs a Schwarzenegger return to sci-fi action, but lacks the punch to elevate the material beyond a B-grade movie. Though the cloning premise sparks some interesting ideas, the execution lacks creativity. The pacing can be sluggish between the action sequences
- RogerEbert.com: “The 6th Day’ is a mostly engaging and well-done action film, even though it delves into ethical debates of human cloning. What really held it back were the subpar sci-fi special effects, not really selling the futuristic elements. Despite some flaws, it’s a decent watch for fans of the genre.
Audience Reactions
The futuristic gadgets and cloning technology felt innovative and ahead of their time.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s exploration of complex ethical questions surrounding cloning and its potential consequences.
Arnold’s performance, including the interactions between his character and his clone, provided some comedic relief.: Action sequences were well-executed and kept the movie thrilling from start to finish for many action-movie enthusiasts.
Overall Consensus: ‘The 6th Day’ presents an intriguing sci-fi concept but is weighed down by its reliance on generic action tropes, resulting in a mixed reception from both critics and audiences. It raises interesting questions about cloning and identity, but falls short of delivering a truly impactful experience.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film’s intro features a history of cloning breakthroughs, including the cloning of Dolly the sheep. The scientists are credited as Drs. Lerrad Yarg and Phillip Slanigan, anagrams of the real scientists Keith Campbell and Ian Wilmut.”
- “Several futuristic technologies were designed to be plausible near-future advancements, including self-driving cars, refrigerators that automatically order groceries, and realistic dolls.”
- “The filmmakers aimed to balance the futuristic elements to avoid making the movie too far-fetched, carefully considering what technologies could realistically exist in the near future.”
🖥️ How to Watch The 6th Day?
The 6th Day is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The 6th Day, you might like these similar films:
- Total Recall (1990): Features Arnold Schwarzenegger in a mind-bending sci-fi thriller where identity and reality are questioned, with plenty of action.
- Blade Runner (1982): Explores themes of artificial life, what it means to be human, and the ethical implications of advanced technology, similar to the cloning debate in The 6th Day.
- Gattaca (1997): A sci-fi drama that delves into the ethics of genetic engineering and discrimination based on genetic makeup, echoing the ethical concerns surrounding cloning in The 6th Day.
- Moon (2009): Features a solitary astronaut working on the moon who discovers he is one of many clones, raising questions about identity, purpose, and morality.
🛒 The 6th Day Related Products
- The 6th Day (Blu-ray): Own ‘The 6th Day’ in stunning high-definition. Features include behind-the-scenes featurettes and interviews with the cast and crew.
- The Art of Cloning: Ethical and Social Implications Hardcover: A book discussing the ethical and social implications of cloning, inspired by the themes explored in the movie.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger Autographed 8×10 Photo: A rare collectible featuring an autographed photo of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Adam Gibson from ‘The 6th Day’.
- Futuristic Police Car Model: A model of the self-driving car, inspired by vehicles in the film ‘The 6th Day’.
🎧 Soundtrack
The 6th Day features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, human cloning is explicitly illegal in the world of The 6th Day. This is a central conflict in the film, as the villainous corporation is secretly and illegally cloning humans.
Michael Drucker deliberately inserts defective gene sequences into the clones he creates, causing them to expire within five years. This allows him to maintain control over the illegal human clones and ensure a continuous revenue stream.
The film has a twist: the Adam Gibson we follow for most of the movie is revealed to be the clone. The ‘original’ Adam Gibson was the one at the birthday party at his house.
🔥 Bonus Content
Arnold’s The 6th Day Is So Good It’s The Guatemalan Nanny Of Arnold Movies – Best Movie Ever
Looking for a hilarious take on a classic Arnold Schwarzenegger movie? Look no further than this review, which dubs ‘The 6th Day’ the ‘Guatemalan Nanny’ of Arnold films. Prepare for a side-splitting analysis of its absurd elements and surprisingly enjoyable moments.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.