Screamers

1996

Screamers

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

29%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 35

45%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 9,130

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Movie Info

This action-packed sci-fi thriller is set upon the planet Sirius 6B in the year 2078. The planet has been decimated by a vast nuclear war. Many have survived, but their continued survival is threatened by the dreaded screamers, strange shape-changing mechanical creatures who use razor sharp knives to hack up any life-form in their way. They earned their name because when they kill, they make a horrible high pitched sound. The first screamer makes its appearance as a lone soldier approaches a bunker. He has come to deliver an important message from the NEB to its enemy the Alliance. Unfortunately, the low flying screamer gets to the soldier first, and quicker than Popeil's Vegamatic, slices and dices the fellow into tiny pieces. Later a jet crashes near the bunker. Aboard it is a nuclear reactor. One man survives the crash. The man, Ace, knows how to make a bomb with the reactor. Alliance-leader Col. Joseph Hendricksson takes Ace and they travel across the great irradiated desert to met with the NEB leaders. Along the way they find a small boy and though they don't want to, bring him along. Unfortunately, by the time they get to the NEB headquarters, the screamers have killed all but Becker, a tough soldier, Ross, who is nearly mad, and sexy smuggler Jessica. When Becker and Ross see the boy, they think he is a screamer and kill him. They are right and soon the little group find themselves surrounded by the hellish killing machines, all of which have taken the shapes of small boys.
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language, nudity, violence)
  • Genre:
    Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
  • Directed By:
    Christian Duguay
  • Written By:
    Dan O'Bannon, Miguel Tejada-Flores
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Cast

Peter Weller
as Joseph Hendricksson
Roy Dupuis
as Becker
Charles Powell
as Ross
Jennifer Rubin
as Jessica
Andrew Lauer
as Ace
Andy Lauer
as Ace
Michael Caloz
as David
Ron White
as Elbarak
Liliana Komorowska
as Landowska
Jason Cavalier
as Leone
Leni Parker
as Corporal McDonald
Sylvain Masse
as NEB Soldier
Bruce Boa
as Secretary Green
Tom Berry
as Technician
Henry Ramer
as Narration
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Critic Reviews for Screamers

All Critics (35) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (25)

  • The ensuing Darwinian struggle combines space opera skirmishes and Cold War paranoia - although the characters' dialogue involves the kind of tough guy/gal posturing overfamiliar from the sort of '80s action movie this was in fact supposed to be.

    May 25, 2020 | Full Review…

    Anton Bitel

    Little White Lies
    Top Critic

  • Based on a short story by the great nutball sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, Screamers is more like a high-pitched rip-off of Alien.

    July 6, 2010 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

    Ken Tucker

    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic

  • A fun, fast-paced futuristic thriller with enough jolts per frame to keep even the most impatient action fan happy.

    March 26, 2009 | Full Review…

    Brendan Kelly

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • The design and effects teams have lent scale and impact to the futuristic locations and sets. If only Duguay's flashy, aimless direction had succeeded in filling these barren wastes and antiseptic interiors with something resembling human life.

    June 24, 2006 | Full Review…

    Derek Adams

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Until it succumbs to one cliche too many, Screamers, which was directed by Christian Duguay, does an efficient job of generating a stomach-knotting tension.

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 2/4

    Stephen Holden

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • There's nothing exhilarating or enjoyable in any of this.

    February 13, 2001 | Rating: 1.5/5 | Full Review…

    Jack Mathews

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (35)

Audience Reviews for Screamers

  • Oct 25, 2018
    Unfortunately, not quite the movie I remember it being when I was a kid. Not bad, even worth watching, especially for Peter Weller, but I think I had made a better version of it in my head in the twenty years since the last time I watched it, so this re-visit was a little disappointing.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 20, 2011
    Based on a Philip K. Dick short story, Screamers is a visionary science fiction thriller. In this adaptation set in the distant future, a group of abandoned soldiers on a mining planet have to fend off autonomous killing machines called Screamers that have evolved into human form. The film stars Peter Weller, who gives a very strong performance that elevates the material. However, the script is rather weak and relies too much on exposition. Additionally, the special effects are poorly done and distract from the film. Yet, the strength of the material comes through and creates a compelling story with themes of paranoia and military industrialism. Screamers is a flawed film, but the concepts are intriguing and the action's pretty good.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 25, 2009
    So Distraught in it's own vien attempt of a Thrilling, Out-of-this world Sci-Fi extraveganzsa, that it slightly entertained, and had a plot so loose and disfigured, I felt inclined to ask who ever wrote it, to stiop writing Screenplays.
    Joseph E Super Reviewer
  • Sep 03, 2008
    Based on a <i>Phillip K. Dick</i> story, this movie delivers, but suffers because of the apparently tight budget. The special effects feel fated when watched today, but they are not too bad. <i>Peter Weller</i> is as usual decent enough in the lead and the rest of the actors left rather much to wish for though. A sappy ending lowers the grade a notch, but this is still worth watching.
    Steven V Super Reviewer
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