D.O.A. (1988)

61% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
34% of users liked it
(6,908 ratings)

"They didn't kill me; I was dead already," is the statement uttered by Dexter Cornell (Dennis Quaid), an English professor at the University of Texas at Austin who has been poisoned by a slow-acting toxin and who has twenty-four hours to track down his killers before he ceases to exist. Remade from… More "They didn't kill me; I was dead already," is the statement uttered by Dexter Cornell (Dennis Quaid), an English professor at the University of Texas at Austin who has been poisoned by a slow-acting toxin and who has twenty-four hours to track down his killers before he ceases to exist. Remade from the 1949 Rudolph Mate thriller by Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton, the co-directors jazz up the old luridness with slap-up doggishness that boosts the intensity-level higher than it deserves to go. Cornell is a burned-out novelist trying to hold on to tenure at the university while seeing his marriage collapse around him. As if that weren't enough, he is receiving amorous come-ons from smart, young student Sydney Fuller (Meg Ryan) and being badgered by another student, Nick Lang (Robert Knepper), to read his brilliant first novel. Not long after Dex demurs to Nick to read his novel, Nick is killed in a fall. Only then does Dex find out that Nick has been having an affair with his wife. Things keep going from bad to worse when, after an all-night drinking binge, Dex discovers that he has been slipped a poison that will kill him within 24 hours. Teaming up with the adoring Sydney, Dex tries to track down the person who poisoned him while dodging the cops, since he happens to be a prime murder suspect. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Annabel Jankel, Rocky Morton
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Mar 18, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Oct 14, 2003

Critic Reviews

Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Cannot even stand in the shadow of the 1950 original, but stylish and entertaining all the same.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
The derivative and often silly screenplay by Charles Edward Pogue doesn't give the actors much to do except wish they never signed on to this sinking ship.
Victoria Alexander, FilmsInReview.com
Meg best stuff is behind her.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
The "film noir on campus" idea works surprisingly well
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
It's not on the same level as the original, but it still manages a few enjoyable twists.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Reasonably entertaining, but mostly tired remake

Read all 6 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Candy R

Dennis plays a professor who was poisoned. He has 24 hours to find out who is trying to kill him. Complex plot.
Dean M

This remake of a 1949 film noir has Dennis Quaid, given a slow-acting poison, setting out to find his own murderer before it's too late. It is an involving and entertaining little picture from start to finish. Quaid is at his caustic best; and he is sadly one of the most… More
This remake of a 1949 film noir has Dennis Quaid, given a slow-acting poison, setting out to find his own murderer before it's too late. It is an involving and entertaining little picture from start to finish. Quaid is at his caustic best; and he is sadly one of the most underused talents in Hollywood. His then beau Meg Ryan also appears with him, but as is usually the case, doesn't really make much of an impact. And this was the second film of real-life ex-couple, Quaid and Ryan.
Stuart B

Weird and boring....
xGary X

A reasonable stab at remaking a classic of the noir genre, but the lightweight leads feel more like a couple looking for a wacky rom com than a gritty thriller, and the twist at the end is unconvincing. The strong concept keeps it watchable however, and Charlotte Rampling's… More
A reasonable stab at remaking a classic of the noir genre, but the lightweight leads feel more like a couple looking for a wacky rom com than a gritty thriller, and the twist at the end is unconvincing. The strong concept keeps it watchable however, and Charlotte Rampling's presence in a supporting role adds dramatic gravitas.
Anthony V

Comparing this music video film noir to body heat is a sin and will be punished by lashings from a wet noodle.