D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

33% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(8,725 ratings)

Barret Oliver stars as robot boy Daryl (Data Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform). The film begins with an intense chase through hairpin mountain roads as a helicopter chases after a racing automobile and the driver of the car shoves a young boy out of the door. The child is rescued and is adopted by… More Barret Oliver stars as robot boy Daryl (Data Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform). The film begins with an intense chase through hairpin mountain roads as a helicopter chases after a racing automobile and the driver of the car shoves a young boy out of the door. The child is rescued and is adopted by Joyce (Mary Beth Hurt) and Andy (Michael McKean) Richardson, a well-meaning, childless couple. It is only after the Richardsons have adopted Daryl and find that the child can't stop hitting home runs that they realize their adopted son is, in fact, a robot. The Richardsons decide to take Daryl back home -- home being a top security research facility where scientists Dr. Jeffrey Stewart (Josef Sommer) and Ellen Lamb (Kathryn Walker) have "given birth" to the boy robot. Once at the research facility, the Richardsons realize that government forces are determined to destroy Daryl and anyone who knows about him. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Simon Wincer
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Jun 14, 1985 Wide
On DVD: Oct 19, 2004

Critic Reviews

Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
The main problem with this thing (besides the direction and the writing and, oh what the heck, the special effects, the acting, and the score). . .
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Do guilty pleasures get any more guilty or any more pleasurable

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

Astounding to see there is an 80's movie left that I haven't seen! I have to say that I enjoyed this vastly more than my recent revisiting of The Goonies! Barett Oliver was such a cute child actor. It really is a shame he had a reasonably short movie career. Here he plays… More
Astounding to see there is an 80's movie left that I haven't seen! I have to say that I enjoyed this vastly more than my recent revisiting of The Goonies! Barett Oliver was such a cute child actor. It really is a shame he had a reasonably short movie career. Here he plays daryl, who is part robot, part human. Yes, it's a boys movie, but is a likable and enjoyable one. Though it looks dated and very typically 80's, for me that was part of it's charm.
AJ V

Gosh, I saw this such a long time ago, I don't remember it, I should watch it again some day.
Candy R

Daryl is a boy genius who lives with his foster parents. The government soon come after him.
Dean !

An ok family 80's action/drama film.
Ross C

Mostly memorable for the scene where the Daryl flies the SR-71 Blackbird, what a moment to see a kid in the '80s. I used to get parts of D.A.R.Y.L. confused with Flight of the Navigator - a similar storyline where a kid becomes "wanted" by the government.
Jason S

Pretty good. The story is there but there are a few holes here and there. The tech is a little funny in today's world but the story works anyway.
Tom E

And this is one of the most tender -- Barret Oliver is SUPERB and the storyline will melt your heart -- You'll also end up laughing yourself silly at some of the subtle jokes -- Watch it several times to get the full effect --
xGary X

Slightly tedious kids film about a robot boy. At least it's not as tedious as A.I.
Dean M

Great family-sci-fi tale of a little boy who discovers he is really an android.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Mary Beth Hurt as Joyce Richardson

            Michael McKean as Andy Richardson

            Kathryn Walker as Ellen Lamb

            Colleen Camp as Elaine Fox

            Josef Sommer as Dr. Jeffrey Stewart

            Barret Oliver as Daryl

            Steve Ryan as Howie Fox

            Robert Arden as Colonel

            Daniel Bryan Corkill as Turtle Fox

            Pat Fuleihan as Woman at Window

            Ed Grady as Mr. Bergen

            Richard Hammatt as Dr. Mulligan

            Burtt Harris as Air Force General

            Amy Linker as Sherie Lee Fox

            Tucker McGuire as Mrs. Bergen

            Christopher Muncke as Committee Man

            Kevin J. O'Neill as 1st Technician

            Hardy Rawls as Bull McKenzie

            Susan West as Andrea

            Russ Wheeler as Copilot

            Major Wiley as Operative USAF

            David Wohl as Mr. Nesbitt

            Ronald C. Frazier as Gen. Graycliffe

            James H. Armfield as Photographer

            Patrick Branner as Mark Bennet

            Matt Butler as Trooper

            Ski Collins as Pilot

            Paul Darby as 2nd Technician

            Blain Fairman as Maj. Willows

            James Fitzpatrick as Tascom Security Soldier

            Charlie Gudger as 1st Basketball Kid

            Sean Hower as Hannibal

            Jessica Johnson as Melanie

            James LaPointe as "Goodbye Coach" Kid

            Noreen Lange as Facility Matron

            Danielle LeMoine as Trudi

            Ginny Light as Plump Woman

            Benjamin Peterson as Piano Pupil

            Dalton Poole as Arkoff

            Joseph Reed as Facility Doctor

            Wayne Shindoll as Umpire

            Brian Stafford as Catcher

            Stacy Woods as 2nd Basketball Kid

            William Roberts as 1st Committee Man
See full cast

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D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Cast

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