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IMDbPro

Dead Calm

  • 1989
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
42K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,724
120
Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989)
Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video
Play trailer1:26
1 Video
99+ Photos
HorrorThriller

After a tragedy, John Ingram and his wife Rae are spending some time isolated at sea, when they come across a stranger who has abandoned a sinking ship.After a tragedy, John Ingram and his wife Rae are spending some time isolated at sea, when they come across a stranger who has abandoned a sinking ship.After a tragedy, John Ingram and his wife Rae are spending some time isolated at sea, when they come across a stranger who has abandoned a sinking ship.

  • Director
    • Phillip Noyce
  • Writers
    • Terry Hayes
    • Charles Williams
  • Stars
    • Nicole Kidman
    • Sam Neill
    • Billy Zane
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    42K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,724
    120
    • Director
      • Phillip Noyce
    • Writers
      • Terry Hayes
      • Charles Williams
    • Stars
      • Nicole Kidman
      • Sam Neill
      • Billy Zane
    • 175User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
    • 70Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos1

    Dead Calm
    Trailer 1:26
    Watch Dead Calm

    Photos162

    Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989)
    Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)
    Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane in Dead Calm (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nicole Kidman
    Nicole Kidman
    • Rae Ingram
    Sam Neill
    Sam Neill
    • John Ingram
    Billy Zane
    Billy Zane
    • Hughie Warriner
    Rod Mullinar
    Rod Mullinar
    • Russell Bellows
    Joshua Tilden
    • Danny
    George Shevtsov
    • Doctor
    Michael Long
    • Specialist Doctor
    Lisa Collins
    Lisa Collins
    • 'Orpheus' Cruise Girl
    Paula Hudson-Brinkley
    • 'Orpheus' Cruise Girl
    Sharon Cook
    • 'Orpheus' Cruise Girl
    Malinda Rutter
    Malinda Rutter
    • 'Orpheus' Cruise Girl
    Benji
    • Dog
    • (as Benji U.D. A.D.)
    John Simmit
    John Simmit
    • Dog Owner
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Phillip Noyce
    • Writers
      • Terry Hayes
      • Charles Williams
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Before filming began, Nicole Kidman took lessons from the owner of the Storm Vogel on how to operate the ship. During the storm sequences near the end of the film, she is actually piloting the yacht.
    • Goofs
      At the beginning of the film in the Railway station, you can see Christmas decorations all around. If this is supposedly set in Australia as John is in the Royal Australian Navy then at Christmas time (summer in Australia) the sailors including John would be wearing their summer uniform. In the film each man is wearing RAN Winter uniform.
    • Quotes

      [assuming it's her husband that is washing her hair]

      Rae Ingram: You know what I'd love for lunch? Fresh asparagus, then, um, pasta - angel hair pasta with heaps of basil, garlic, olive oil and, um, apple pie. Yeah. Uh, John, have you got a towel?

    • Crazy credits
      The producers wish to thank the owners of 'Storm Vogel' for the use of their yacht as the 'Saracen' and Keith Williams, the staff and management of Hamilton Island.
    • Alternate versions
      Original prints of the film omitted the current ending (see Trivia).
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: The Dream Team/Sing/Troop Beverly Hills/Crusoe/Powwow Highway (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Who Stole the Isopropyl Alcohol
      Written & Performed by Tim O'Connor

      Copyright © 1988 Kennedy Miller Productions Pty. Ltd.

    User reviews175

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Slow-burning and well-acted, sure to give you both thrills and chills.
    After reading the plot for Dead Calm I was expecting an edge-of-your-seat boat massacre thriller, and in a sense that's exactly what Dead Calm is. I was always on the edge of my seat, anxious to know what would happen next and terrified for the characters in their respective situations, but there was much less violence than I was expecting. And I'm not complaining. Most of the violence is implied rather than shown, and the movie not only deals with physical abuse but emotional and mental abuse as well. The story is basically that this couple goes out to sea on a getaway to forget about a recent tragedy, and while they're out in the middle of the ocean they encounter a strange boat and a strange man who claims that his crew was killed by food poisoning. The way the pieces come together is very satisfying, especially when the truth slowly reveals itself and both the husband and wife are going through equally scary dilemmas as this stranger is roaming freely around their boat.

    The acting is really what sells this movie. A boat movie with only three characters can get boring quickly, but thanks to the cast, I was totally in it. Sam Neil is separated from the others for a good amount of the film, but when he needs to shine, he does. The anchors of this movie are Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane. Kidman is excellent as the emotionally distraught wife who is doing everything she can to keep it together while desperately trying outsmart the stranger. Billy Zane had me worried for a bit - I could tell he was acting, and at times he was a bit cartoonish, but by the end you come to realize that the character is an absolute nutcase so his erratic acting makes sense. You're not sure if he's just a guy who had a rough week, or a sympathetic victim of circumstance, or a straight up maniacal psychopath. This uncertainty helps keep the thriller afloat (yeah) and keeps you anxious to see whatever happens next.

    The only real complaint I have about Dead Calm is that it does get a little slow at times. It's very atmospheric and moody for a majority of the film and there's no problem with that, but I couldn't help but be distracted during some of the longer quiet moments. Regardless, it all builds up to the movie's exciting climax which doesn't disappoint. The music is great as well - haunting and subtle. Keep in mind Dead Calm is not a jump-scare type of horror thriller. It's slow-paced, grounded and completely plausible, which for me is the scariest kind.
    helpful•59
    5
    • lnvicta
    • Feb 24, 2016

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    FAQ6

    • What is 'Dead Calm' about?
    • Is 'Dead Calm' based on a book?
    • Was Hughie's boat actually sinking?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 7, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dead Calm: A Voyage Into Fear
    • Filming locations
      • Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Kennedy Miller Productions
      • Lynx Location Services
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,400,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,825,009
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,463,551
      • Apr 9, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,825,009
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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