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Dead Heat

Play trailer Poster for Dead Heat R 1988 1h 28m Horror Action Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
11% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 47% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
When a dutiful Los Angeles police officer named Roger Mortis (Treat Williams) tries to apprehend robbers that happen to be zombies, he ends up as one of the undead himself. Since Mortis has managed to stay in his right mind, he aids his loudmouthed partner, Doug Bigelow (Joe Piscopo), in getting to the bottom of the macabre crime ring. Eventually the cops track down the villains, including Arthur P. Loudermilk (Vincent Price), and try to end their supernatural thievery.
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Dead Heat

Critics Reviews

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Michael Wilmington Los Angeles Times May 13, 2013
1.5/5
On the screen, it seems to be like a walking corpse itself: jerking around malevolently, with putrefying limbs, a fixed, grisly smile on its face and absolutely no spontaneity. Go to Full Review Johanna Steinmetz Chicago Tribune May 13, 2013
1/4
Williams and Piscopo seem to be on autopilot when delivering their lines, not relating to one another, not picking up each other`s timing. Go to Full Review Walter Goodman New York Times May 21, 2003
[A] sci-fi, low-tech comedy horror show. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Aug 14, 2015
2/4
...succeeds solely as a showcase for some admittedly jaw-dropping special effects. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Apr 12, 2015
C+
That it is awkwardly conceived, the premise is absurd and it's just not funny, are its major flaws. Go to Full Review TV Guide May 13, 2013
1/4
A disastrous attempt at blending comedy and horror. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Drew M @Stonehands211 Aug 20, 2026 This ruled and I will not pretend that it did not. See more David B @RT14283473 Aug 3, 2026 Barely watchable one time only! See more Landon J @Minxsykitty Jul 28, 2026 This a sleeper for action/horror/comedy. Pretty enjoyable and quite fun and entertaining most of the time. 80's slop fans will thoroughly enjoy. See more Bruce M @BruceMc Jun 23, 2026 Easily one of the worst movies ever made. Stupid, boring, horribly acted, insipid script. Less nauseating than "Melania," though. See more Mark L. @ChicoryStitcher Jun 3, 2026 Decent. Cheesy, but silly and fun. It knows what it is and leans into it. See more Ian S @RT48225084 Mar 28, 2026 80's silliness. Some good special effects but like a lot of horror comedies, it's too over the top. Even Vincent Price and Darren McGavin couldn't save it. Hope Treat Williams was paid well. More of a teens movie for the easily pleased. See more Read all reviews
Dead Heat

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Cast & Crew

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Mark Goldblatt

Director

Treat Williams

Det. Roger Mortis

Joe Piscopo

Det. Doug Bigelow

Lindsay Frost

Randi James

Darren McGavin

Dr. Ernest McNab

Vincent Price

Arthur P. Loudermilk

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Dead Heat

Dead Heat (1988) Dead Heat (1988) Dead Heat (1988) Dead Heat (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When a dutiful Los Angeles police officer named Roger Mortis (Treat Williams) tries to apprehend robbers that happen to be zombies, he ends up as one of the undead himself. Since Mortis has managed to stay in his right mind, he aids his loudmouthed partner, Doug Bigelow (Joe Piscopo), in getting to the bottom of the macabre crime ring. Eventually the cops track down the villains, including Arthur P. Loudermilk (Vincent Price), and try to end their supernatural thievery.
Director
Mark Goldblatt
Producer
David Helpern, Michael L. Meltzer
Screenwriter
Terry Black
Production Co
New World Pictures, Helpern / Meltzer
Rating
R
Genre
Horror, Action, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 6, 1988, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 20, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.9M
Runtime
1h 28m
Sound Mix
Surround
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