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The Dead Pool

Play trailer Poster for The Dead Pool R 1988 1h 31m Action Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
56% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 44% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In the fifth installment of the Dirty Harry series, gritty cop Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) is fresh off the conviction of a major mob boss. When horror film director Peter Swan (Liam Neeson) develops a "dead pool" betting on celebrity deaths, he is shocked when a serial killer begins targeting those named, including TV reporter Samantha Walker (Patricia Clarkson) and Callahan himself. Action and violence abound as Callahan tracks the killer in an attempt to stop the murders.
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The Dead Pool

The Dead Pool

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Critics Consensus

While it offers its fair share of violent thrills and tough wit, The Dead Pool ends the Dirty Harry series on an uninspired note.

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Critics Reviews

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Henry Sheehan Chicago Reader May 11, 2022
2/4
It is perfectly adequate, in fact. It is just that adequate should not be good enough for Clint Eastwood. Go to Full Review
Odie Henderson House Next Door Jul 12, 2013
It probably wasn't wise for the filmmakers to end Dirty Harry's reign with Eastwood uttering a post-killing line more suited for Stallone or Schwarzenegger, but from an entertainment standpoint, The Dead Pool doesn't leave one **** outta luck. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Jan 1, 2000
3.5/4
The best thing about The Dead Pool is the best thing about almost all of Clint Eastwood's movies: The film is smart, quick, and made with real wit. It's never just a crude action movie, bludgeoning us with violence. Go to Full Review
Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Dec 29, 2021
2/5
...easily the worst film in the franchise, with a perfunctory climax and only a couple of passable lines... Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Dec 16, 2021
2.5/4
It's difficult to determine whether The Dead Pool is a desperate attempt to extend the franchise or a smart parody of cop films that have come before it; either way, there's enough to enjoy in this increasingly silly film. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Aug 31, 2020
4/10
It feels as if the writers have completely run out of ideas for utilizing one of the most popular vigilantes in cinema history. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 21, 2026 The Dead Pool = a *2.5* star Movie! See more
Claudio C @Claudio666 Sep 4, 2026 The Dead Pool (1988) The Final Dirty Harry’s Movie (12,660 – 02 Jan 2000 / 03 Sep 2026 – Claudio Carvalho) "The Dead Pool" (1988) is the final Dirty Harry’s movie and keeps the level of the previous films of the franchise. The story of a serial-killer obsessed by the director Peter Swan is gripping, with excellent action scenes. Probably the remote-controlled car chase is the best moment of the plot. It is also great to see Liam Neeson, Patricia Clarkson and the cameo of Jim Carrey in the beginning of his career. My vote is eight. Title (Brazil): "Dirty Harry na Lista Negra" ("Dirty Harry in the Blacklist") See more
Jason H @RT50328122 May 7, 2026 Terrible final entry in the Dirty Harry series. See more
Rehan T @RT81460504 May 5, 2025 It was alright. A nice one time watch. Could be better story... See more
thiago s @Thiagostone Nov 17, 2024 filme legalzinho, o roteiro é bacana, o elenco focou muito melhor do que os outros filmes, Clint Eastwood ainda é muito bom como Harry Callahan, mas agora o Harry Callahan persegui um matador/roteirista de filmes dentro do filme, nesse filme sendo o ultimo do Harry Callahan, eu achei que ele ia morrer no final, desta vez Harry Callahan não perseguiu ninguem, e agora ele tem um parceiro homem, que é japones, mas agora o parceiro dele não morreu, e ainda colocacam a musica welcome to the jungle do guns n´roses, no final do filme eu gostei, o Harry Callahan usou um arpão gigantesco e matou o roteirista de filmes, mas mesmo com isso eu recomendo esse filme. o ultimo da franquia dirty harry. See more
Sams K @RT65506530 Aug 23, 2024 I love this. Also some easter eggs for GNR fans... See more
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The Dead Pool

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Cast & Crew

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Buddy Van Horn

Director

Clint Eastwood

Insp. "Dirty" Harry Callahan

Patricia Clarkson

Samantha Walker

Evan C. Kim

Insp. Al Quan

Liam Neeson

Peter Swan

David Hunt

Harlan Rook

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The Dead Pool

The Dead Pool (1988) The Dead Pool (1988) The Dead Pool (1988) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In the fifth installment of the Dirty Harry series, gritty cop Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) is fresh off the conviction of a major mob boss. When horror film director Peter Swan (Liam Neeson) develops a "dead pool" betting on celebrity deaths, he is shocked when a serial killer begins targeting those named, including TV reporter Samantha Walker (Patricia Clarkson) and Callahan himself. Action and violence abound as Callahan tracks the killer in an attempt to stop the murders.
Director
Buddy Van Horn
Producer
David Valdes
Screenwriter
Steve Sharon, Durk Pearson, Sandy Shaw Lai-King, Steve Sharon
Production Co
Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Rating
R
Genre
Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$37.8M
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Surround
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