The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988)
Voodoo, Zombies, and Truth Lurking in Haiti’s Shadows
Harvard ethnobotanist Dennis Alan (Bill Pullman) is sent to Haiti to investigate reports of a mysterious drug rumored to turn the dead into living, but terrified, “zombies.” As he delves deeper, Alan teams with local researcher Dr. Marielle Duchamp (Cathy Tyson), navigates the tangled mix of political unrest, twisted ritual, and folklore, and confronts a voodoo kingpin whose powers over life, death, and the unseen may be more than superstition. Along the way, Alan’s scientific certainty frays under the weight of nightmares, hallucinations, and the very real danger of being buried alive... literally.
Directed by Wes Craven, this film stands out in his body of work for its unusual blend of horror, social commentary, and supernatural dread. Shot partly on location in Haiti and filmed with a respect for local culture (while still embracing the genre’s visceral thrills), The Serpent and the Rainbow builds tension through atmosphere, haunting imagery, and the unknown. It’s scary, unsettling, and thought-provoking a horror film that wants you to question what’s buried beneath what you believe.
Buy it Now
Genre: Horror
Director: Wes Craven
Rated: R
