Movie

Desperate Measures

“Desperate times call for. . .”

★ 6.0(320)19981h 40m

Desperate Measures is available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo, YouTube and Amazon Video in Canada. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there yet. Availability checked 13 June 2026.

Where to watch Desperate Measures

🇨🇦 Canada

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Good to know

Director: Barbet Schroeder
Release date: 1998-01-30
Runtime: 1h 40m
Language: English
Box office: $13,800,000
Budget: $50,000,000
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Studio: Mandalay Entertainment

Desperate Measures — trailer

About Desperate Measures

Desperate Measures is a 1998 movie in the Action, Drama and Thriller genres, directed by Barbet Schroeder, starring Michael Keaton, Andy Garcia and Brian Cox. It has a runtime of 1 hour 40 minutes. It holds an average rating of 6.0/10 from 320 viewers. Below you can see where to watch Desperate Measures in Canada — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

San Francisco police officer Frank Connor is in a frantic search for a compatible bone marrow donor for his gravely ill son. There's only one catch the potential donor is convicted multiple murderer Peter McCabe who sees a trip to the hospital as the perfect opportunity to get what he wants most: freedom. With McCabe's escape, the entire hospital becomes a battleground and Connor must pursue and, ironically, protect the deadly fugitive who is his son's only hope for survival.

Cast

Michael Keaton

Peter McCabe

Andy Garcia

Frank Conner

Brian Cox

Captain Jeremiah Cassidy

Marcia Gay Harden

Dr. Samantha Hawkins

Erik King

Nate Oliver

Efrain Figueroa

Vargas

Joseph Cross

Matthew Conner

Janel Moloney

Sarah Davis

Richard Riehle

Ed Fayne

Tracey Walter

Medical Inmate

Keith Diamond

Derrick Wilson

Peter Weireter

SWAT Team Commander

Themes & keywords

chasedonationparanoiaterminal illnessleukemiaprison escapehospitalpsychological thrillercriminalconvictconfrontationcaptivefreewaypropane

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Desperate Measures in Canada?+

In Canada, Desperate Measures is available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo, YouTube and Amazon Video. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there right now.

Is Desperate Measures on Netflix?+

Desperate Measures is not on Netflix in Canada right now.

How long is Desperate Measures?+

Desperate Measures has a runtime of 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).

Who stars in Desperate Measures?+

Desperate Measures stars Michael Keaton, Andy Garcia, Brian Cox, Marcia Gay Harden and Erik King.

When did Desperate Measures come out?+

Desperate Measures is a 1998 movie directed by Barbet Schroeder.

What genre is Desperate Measures?+

Desperate Measures is Action, Drama, Thriller and Crime film.

Who directed Desperate Measures?+

Desperate Measures was directed by Barbet Schroeder.