The Serpent and the Rainbow Poster
MOVIEmeter
SEE RANK
Down 928 this week

The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)

R  98 min  -  Horror | Thriller   -  5 February 1988 (USA)
6.3
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 6.3/10 from 8,399 users  
Reviews: 61 user | 50 critic

An anthropologist goes to Haiti after hearing rumors about a drug used by black magic practitioners to turn people into zombies.

Director:

Wes Craven

Writers:

Wade Davis (inspired by the book), Richard Maxwell (screenplay), and 1 more credit »
Watch Trailer
 Loading Watchlist 

Watch now

Buy it from Amazon »

Related Lists

image of title
a list of 36 titles by ajmerccos created 5 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 1,971 titles by django-16 created 7 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 250 titles by madelgado68 created 10 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 183 titles by tenchagorda created 10 months ago
 
image of title
a list of 345 titles by vivsky created 5 days ago
 

Connect with IMDb


Download the free IMDb App
1 nomination See more awards »
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Pullman ...
Cathy Tyson Cathy Tyson ...
Zakes Mokae Zakes Mokae ...
Paul Winfield ...
Brent Jennings ...
Conrad Roberts ...
Badja Djola Badja Djola ...
Theresa Merritt Theresa Merritt ...
Michael Gough ...
Paul Guilfoyle ...
Dey Young ...
Aleta Mitchell Aleta Mitchell ...
William Newman William Newman ...
Jaime Pina Gautier Jaime Pina Gautier ...
Evencio Mosquera Slaco Evencio Mosquera Slaco ...
Edit

Storyline

Dennis Allan is a scientist who visits Haiti on the strength of a rumour of a drug which renders the recipient totally paralyzed but conscious. The drug's effects often fool doctors, who declare the victims dead. Could this be the origin of the "zombie" legend? Alan embarks on a surprising and often surreal investigation of the turbulent social chaos that is Haiti during the revolution which ousted hated dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier. Often a pawn in a greater game, Alan must decide what is science, what is superstition, and what is the unknown in a anarchistic society where police corruption and witch-doctory are commonplace. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Haiti | Anthropologist | Magic | Zombie | Spider  | See more »

Taglines:

Don't bury me...I'm not dead!

Genres:

Horror | Thriller

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Spanish

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The Wes Craven's Serpent and the Rainbow See more »

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$5,848,000 (USA) (7 February 1988) (1430 Screens)

Gross:

$19,595,031 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Due to political strife and civil turmoil in Haiti during the production, the local government informed the film crew that they could not guarantee their safety for the remainder of the shoot. The crew subsequently relocated to nearby Dominican Republic to complete filming. See more »

Goofs

Crew or equipment visible: Just before the spider starts crawling on Dr. Dennis Alan's face, you can see the crew member in the left background who placed it there. See more »

Quotes

Louis Mozart: You are still alive.
Dennis Alan: Yeah, I noticed.
See more »


Soundtracks

"Madame Marcell" See more »