The Dark Half

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The Dark Half

R

1993

2h 2m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

55%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

42%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) has had success writing novels under both his real name and his pseudonym, George Stark, which he uses to publish base thrillers. When word gets out that they are one and the same, the author holds a mock funeral for Stark. But after a rash of murders eerily similar to those in the Stark books, Thad and his wife, Liz (Amy Madigan), realize that Stark is real and responsible, and must work with local Sheriff Pangborn (Michael Rooker) to stop him.

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Critics Consensus

The Dark Half is a highly serious psychological study that can be faulted for being more curious than actually scary.

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Bruce Westbrook

Houston Chronicle

Jun 9

The film rarely rises above gruesome catharses.

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Susie Eisenhuth

Sydney Morning Herald

02/28/2024

Strong performances add the required heft to keep you onside when the plot gets dodgy. Hutton's nice-guy image is perfect for the dual role.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Tribune

10/04/2019

2/4

As if to make up for the slack pacing, the violence seems unnecessarily garish and sadistic.

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Feb 26

2.5/5

The Dark Half presents a fascinating concept about an author's dark side coming to life, but sadly the idea is handled in a rather sloppy & clumsy manner with its repetitive structure and a laughably nonsensical explanation of the events.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 11

2/4

Romero's direction is atypically listless, and the supernatural aspects are never explained in a satisfactory manner.

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Patrick Cavanaugh

The Wolfman Cometh

Sep 9

2/5

Just one of many '90s Stephen King adaptations that really only gets points for its source material, as the movie itself is dull and far too campy.

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Alexandro R

@Lexton Feb 22

Simplesmente, imperdível.

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Joy B.

@9mr_0 Jan 16

فلم جيد . قصة غريبة لكنها جيده . الاخراج كان متباين بداء الفلم بشكل جيد لكن بعدها بداء بالصعود و النزول بوتيرة الفلم بدون تفسيرات حقيقية . اغلب الممثلين شخصياتهم سطحية ما بيها عمق . اداء البطل كان جيد الى حدما ام البطلة بداء المخرج معها بشكل جيد لكن بعدها حاول يكسر ضهورها الى نهاية الفلم كانت فقط هناك بدون اي اداء حقيقي . التصوير كان متوسط . الموسيقى جيدة و بعض الاحيان مزعجه.

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Alec B

@Alec97 Jan 11

I think Romero pulls off as good an adaptation as one could expect of King's weird novel. Its a hard conflict to dramatize (one man vs. His shadow self) as it's both frightening and a little silly.

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Dale P

@RT46409816 Oct 25

The film is actually a very nice film. It is away for Stephen King to kill off his other writer. Timothy Huttons performance is really good and the rest of the cast is good as well. I would recommend this film to alk

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Clarence H.

@clarencew Sep 14

As Stephen King movies go, I really like this one. Along with Pet Sematary, The Dead Zone & Secret Window, it’s one of my favorites. I didn’t think George Romero could do much beyond zombie films but he did a fine job here. Stephen King often has a lot of interesting psychology in his stories and The Dark Half is no exception as it ponders the mind & creative process of a writer. This film will keep you guessing. Very well done.

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Farah R

@Farah 04/17/2025

The psychological elements of this King adaptation are intriguing, coupled with a brilliant performance by Timothy Hutton. The Dark Half is worth watching. But be warned to keep an open mind, as the ending might throw off those seeking a more logical conclusion to the mystery.

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George A. Romero

Director

Timothy Hutton

Thad Beaumont

Amy Madigan

Liz Beaumont

Michael Rooker

Sheriff Alan Pangborn

Julie Harris

Reggie DeLesseps

Robert Joy

Fred Clawson

The Dark Half: Official Clip - Sparrow Annihilation

2:57

The Dark Half: Official Clip - Revealing Nightmares

2:16

The Dark Half: Official Clip - A Tale of Two Authors

2:16

The Dark Half: Official Clip - One in the Same

2:24

The Dark Half: Official Clip - Suspected for Murder

2:29

The Dark Half: Official Clip - A Cut & Go Business

1:50

The Dark Half: Official Clip - Startling Discovery

0:56

The Dark Half: Official Clip - Showdown

1:27

The Dark Half: Official Clip - George Stark Strikes

1:30

The Dark Half: Official Clip - Mikey, Mikey, Mikey

2:17

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Synopsis

Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) has had success writing novels under both his real name and his pseudonym, George Stark, which he uses to publish base thrillers. When word gets out that they are one and the same, the author holds a mock funeral for Stark. But after a rash of murders eerily similar to those in the Stark books, Thad and his wife, Liz (Amy Madigan), realize that Stark is real and responsible, and must work with local Sheriff Pangborn (Michael Rooker) to stop him.

Director: George A. Romero
Producer: Declan Baldwin
Screenwriter: George A. Romero, Stephen King
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.0M
Runtime: 2h 2m
Sound Mix: Surround