The Dark Half
Performance & Direction: The Dark Half Review
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Dark Half (1993) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Mystery.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Mystery is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Dark Half features a noteworthy lineup led by Timothy Hutton . Supported by the likes of Amy Madigan and Michael Rooker , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Dark Half (1993) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: The Dark Half
Quick Plot Summary: The Dark Half is a Mystery, Horror film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Dark Half
Ending Breakdown: The Dark Half concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to mystery resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the mystery themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Dark Half reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Dark Half?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Mystery films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Dark Half
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $15.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $10.6M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Dark Half Budget
The estimated production budget for The Dark Half is $15.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Dark Half
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Dark Half Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Dark Half Parents Guide & Age Rating
1993 AdvisoryWondering about The Dark Half age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Dark Half is 121 minutes (2h 1m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6/10, and global collection metrics, The Dark Half stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1993 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Dark Half worth watching?
The Dark Half is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Mystery movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Dark Half parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Dark Half identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Dark Half?
The total duration of The Dark Half is 121 minutes, which is approximately 2h 1m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Dark Half
A visually spectacular ending, but one that delivers little in the way of answers, and doesn't change a so-so beginning and middle of a film in any way that's meaningfully satisfactory. _Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
