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The Serpent and the Rainbow

1988·Movie
1h 38min·R
62
DecentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

The Serpent and the Rainbow fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Terrifying and tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Scare9
  • Tension8
  • Violence7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Wonder5
  • Pathos4
  • Melancholy3

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Absurdist Humor3

World

Mystery, fantasy, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Rewatchability7
  • Novelty7

Craft

Standout direction

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue9
  • Direction8
  • Complexity8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchSolo WatchTeensPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want to half-watch while scrollingYou scare easily

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Don't Bury Me...I'm Not Dead!

A Harvard anthropologist is sent to Haiti to retrieve a strange powder that is said to have the power to bring human beings back from the dead. In his quest to find the miracle drug, the cynical scientist enters the rarely seen netherworld of walking zombies, blood rites and ancient curses. Based on the true life experiences of Wade Davis and filmed on location in Haiti, it's a frightening excursion into black magic and the supernatural.
Voodoo HorrorZombie MythologySupernatural ThrillerHaitiBlack MagicWalking DeadAnthropological HorrorIntense AtmosphereNightmare

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Serpent and the Rainbow

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Serpent and the Rainbow legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Serpent and the Rainbow worth watching?

62
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 63/100 (IMDb 6.4, Rotten Tomatoes 64%, and Metacritic 64). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Serpent and the Rainbow rated?

RViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Serpent and the Rainbow?

1 h 38 min

The Serpent and the Rainbow runs 1 h 38 min.

Is The Serpent and the Rainbow based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Serpent and the Rainbow?

Critics64
Audiences61

Yes. Critics average 64 and audiences 61 out of 100, so both groups see The Serpent and the Rainbow much the same way.

Was The Serpent and the Rainbow a box office hit?

Budget$11 million
Box office$20 million

Roughly broke even. It cost about $11 million to make and earned $20 million worldwide, 1.8 times its budget.

What language is The Serpent and the Rainbow in?

EnglishFrenchSpanish

It was made in English, with some French, Spanish. Produced in United States, Haiti, Dominican Republic.

In how many countries can I watch The Serpent and the Rainbow?

35ARAUBEBOBRBZCACLCOCRDKECFRGB+21

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Serpent and the Rainbow in 35 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Serpent and the Rainbow use?

Frame-UpCard-Carrying VillainMind over MatterBuried AliveHonest Corporate ExecutiveKnowledge BrokerRebel LeaderRugged ScarChekhov's GunmanBunny-Ears LawyerThe Noun and the NounVillain Has a Pointand 53 more

TV Tropes lists 65 storytelling tropes for The Serpent and the Rainbow, including Frame-Up, Card-Carrying Villain, Mind over Matter.