Year: 1988
Runtime: 84 mins
Language: English
Director: Mark Goldblatt
You can’t keep a good cop dead. Detective Roger Mortis is slain while probing a series of baffling robberies, only to be resurrected by a chemical company’s clandestine re‑animation formula. With a twelve‑hour deadline, he must uncover the truth behind his murder before the revived life expires, or he will die permanently.
Get a spoiler-free look at Dead Heat (1988) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In a rain‑slick metropolis where the line between law and chaos is already thin, Roger Mortis is the gritty, hard‑nosed detective who never backs down from a fight. Paired with his relentless partner Doug Bigelow, the two are the kind of cops who trust their instincts as much as their badge, and their brand of justice is as brutal as the city’s underbelly. When Mortis is suddenly killed while probing a baffling series of crimes, his death seems like another statistic—until a shadowy chemical corporation steps in with a clandestine re‑animation formula that pulls him back from the brink.
The revival comes with a chilling catch: Mortis awakens with no heartbeat, his skin cold as ice, and a ticking twelve‑hour window before the borrowed life unravels completely. The clock forces him to race against his own mortality while still haunted by the case that cost him his life. Alongside a sharp‑minded morgue technician, Rebecca Smythers, and a demanding captain who pushes the pair harder than ever, Mortis must navigate a world where corporate intrigue masks a desperate search for immortality. The atmosphere is a blend of hard‑boiled cop drama and low‑grade horror, drenched in neon‑lit alleys, humming lab corridors, and the ever‑present whiff of chemical fumes.
The film’s tone rides the edge of dark humor and existential dread, asking what a man will do when death is no longer final. It paints a city that feels both alive and mechanically cold, where every hallway could hide the next scientific secret, and every ally might be a pawn in a larger, unseen experiment. As Mortis hurtles toward his inevitable deadline, the story teases questions about loyalty, redemption, and the price of cheating fate, all while delivering the relentless, gritty energy that defines his relentless pursuit of the truth.
Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:51
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Fast-paced stories blending futuristic technology with monstrous threats and explosive action.If you liked the explosive mix of reanimation science and monstrous action in Dead Heat, you'll enjoy these other movies. This list features films that combine a fast-paced sci-fi or horror plot with high-stakes action sequences and a darkly imaginative premise.
Narratives in this thread often begin with a technological or scientific breakthrough that creates a new form of terror or conflict. The protagonists, often everyday people or professionals like police or soldiers, are thrust into a chaotic situation and must use grit and ingenuity to survive and stop the threat against a ticking clock.
These films are grouped by their shared high-intensity pacing, a blend of futuristic concepts with visceral horror, and a focus on action-driven plots. They deliver a specific experience where the tension comes from both external monstrous threats and the frantic pace of the narrative.
Unconventional detective duos solving bizarre cases with dark humor and violent action.Fans of the witty partnership and bizarre investigation in Dead Heat will find more to love here. Discover films that pair the procedural structure and character dynamics of a buddy cop story with horror, fantasy, or sci-fi elements, creating a unique blend of humor and the grotesque.
The narrative pattern revolves around a central investigation that leads the cop duo into a world far stranger than standard crime. The partnership is key, with humor derived from their clashing personalities as they confront supernatural forces, grotesque villains, or unsettling phenomena, all while following the beats of a detective story.
These movies are united by their unique tone, mixing the procedural elements and character banter of a buddy cop film with a dark, often horror-tinged aesthetic and plot. The enjoyment comes from the contrast between the familiar cop dynamic and the bizarre, macabre circumstances they face.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Dead Heat in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dead Heat is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Read a complete plot summary of Dead Heat, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.
Track the full timeline of Dead Heat with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Dead Heat. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Dead Heat: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Dead Heat that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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