The Serpent and the Rainbow Review

MPAA Rating: R
Released: 1988

The Serpent and the Rainbow was a departure for director Wes Craven, for although he is very well known for his distinctive mastery with horror films, he tried something new with this movie by blending horror with real events. And it worked.

Based on the true story of an American anthropologist that was sent to Haiti to investigate a powder that could allegedly turn people into zombies, The Serpent and the Rainbow plunges the viewer into a horrifying world where voodoo and science collides, blurring the lines of what is real and what is not.

I'll admit right up front, normally I'm not a fan of movies based on real people or events (unless I'm in the mood for a documentary). That isn't to say I can't appreciate or enjoy a well-crafted factual film, but I do possess an inherent bias against them since familiarity with the person or events takes the mystery right out of the movie. So when I first heard that The Serpent and the Rainbow was based on a true story, I was skeptical. After all, how horrifying could a movie based on real life actually be?

Pretty damn disturbing, apparently.

The Serpent and the Rainbow probably shouldn't be classified as a horror film, because although the tension this film produces is so thick it can almost be cut with a knife, it's anything but a mindless horror film. Wes Craven took the time to study voodoo rituals and Haitian society and thereby realistically depict the state of Haiti in the mid-80's when it was under the rule of the notorious dictator "Baby Doc" Duvallier.

Dr. Dennis Alan (Bill Pullman) is a respected anthropologist that is hired by a pharmaceutical corporation to investigate a powder used in voodoo black magic rituals… a power that allegedly holds the power to turn people into actual zombies. Alan is a firm believer in science, so he can barely keep from rolling his eyes at the suggestion that such voodoo rituals are actually possible.

He travels to the unstable country and meets with a local doctor, Marielle Duchamp (Cathy Tyson), who is familiar with the terrifying rituals and powder. As the two investigate a lead that may point them in the direction of a witch capable of selling them the powder, they are plunged into a world of horror and black magic.

The authenticity of this film cannot be overstated since it was filmed on location in Haiti, a country just ripe for the pickings when it comes to horror potential. Most of us have surely heard about voodoo, but it's far more than jilted lovers sadistically poking a doll with pins. Voodoo is an actual religion that plays an integral role in Haitian society, and although the realist in me would scoff at the notion of such magic being possible you do have to wonder. After all, the "zombie powder" sought after is actually real.

Authenticity and subject matter alone cannot carry a movie, for the best scripts and direction left in the hands of inferior actors will fail. Luckily, every single actor in this film put forth an outstanding performance that is to be commended. Bill Pullman (who I consider to be one of Hollywood's underrated actors) shined in his role as the skeptical anthropologist that discovered there's more to voodoo than meets the eye.

Zakes Mokae played Dargent Peytraud, the head of a secret police force and a fearsome voodoo priest. Enough praise cannot be given for his performance – his depiction of the brutal tyrant that tried to stop Dr. Alan from discovering the secrets of the zombie powder was convincing and chilling.

Is this film for everyone? No. If you're looking for a slasher or typical horror film, you should probably look elsewhere. The Serpent and the Rainbow is probably more ominous than 90% of the horror films out there, but it achieves its tension through a controlled pace and a rich atmosphere. You won't find quick thrills or jump-scares here, but if you give the film a chance you'll find that it gets under your skin pretty quickly, keeping you glued to the screen.

Unfortunately few things are perfect in life, and such is the case with this film. Were it not for the last 15 or so minutes of the film, I may very well have given this intelligent and masterfully directed movie a perfect score. But alas, the final showdown between Dr. Alan and the voodoo priest Peytraud ends up being cheesy and disappointing. By no means is the ending enough to ruin the film or stop me from enthusiastically recommending it, but it is enough to drop a couple stars from the final score.

If you are a fan of supernatural thrillers or story-based horrors, I don't think you will go wrong with The Serpent and the Rainbow.

Movie rating: 8 stars

If you enjoyed The Serpent and the Rainbow you may also find the following films to be of interest:

Enjoy the The Serpent and the Rainbow experience in the comfort of your own home with these products!

DVD

Original Book

Movie Sitemap

Wondering if the Netflix service is all
it's cracked up to be? Read our
detailed review and find out!