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Zero Effect

1998·Movie
1h 56min·R

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

Zero Effect fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace6
  • Adrenaline4

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Hopefulness5
  • Wonder5
  • Wholesome4

Humor

Plenty of sharp wit and dark humor

  • Wit & Wordplay8
  • Dark Humor5
  • Situational Comedy4

World

Mystery, everyday modern life, and crime

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7
  • World Immersion6

Craft

Standout dialogue

  • Intrigue9
  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibePartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking

Find more like it

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

About

The world's most private detective.

Daryl Zero is a private investigator and—along with his assistant, Steve Arlo—he solves impossible crimes and puzzles. Although Daryl's a master investigator, he doesn't know what to do with himself when he's not working; he has no social skills, writes bad music and drives Steve crazy.
Eccentric InvestigatorImpossible CrimesSocially IneptSharp DialogueQuirky HumorMystery and IntrigueCharacter-DrivenCrime SolvingOffbeat Comedy

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Zero Effect

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Zero Effect legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy. You can also 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 Zero Effect worth watching?

67
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68/100 (IMDb 6.8 and Rotten Tomatoes 66%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Zero Effect rated?

RStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: strong language.

How long is Zero Effect?

1 h 56 min

Zero Effect runs 1 h 56 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Zero Effect?

Critics66
Audiences72

Yes. Critics average 66 and audiences 72 out of 100, so both groups see Zero Effect much the same way.

Was Zero Effect a box office hit?

Budget$5 million
Box office$2 million

No. It cost about $5 million to make and earned $2 million worldwide, 40% of its budget.

What language is Zero Effect in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Zero Effect?

33ARATAUBOCACHCLCOCRCZDEDKECES+19

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Zero Effect in 33 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Zero Effect use?

Love Makes You DumbCloudcuckoolander's MinderThe WatsonAsshole VictimDefective DetectiveHacker CaveMouth of SauronMy Hero, ZeroArc WordsBlackmail BackfireGood Is Not NiceDid Not Get the Girland 9 more

TV Tropes lists 21 storytelling tropes for Zero Effect, including Love Makes You Dumb, Cloudcuckoolander's Minder, The Watson.