DNA

DNA

Year: 1996

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: William Mesa

ActionThrillerScience FictionHorrorMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypse

A mad scientist revives a mysterious jungle creature by splicing its DNA onto ancient bones, creating a ferocious, carnivorous beast. Now his ex‑assistant Ash Mattley teams up with CIA operative Claire Sommers to hunt the monster and prevent it from terrorizing the jungle.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – DNA (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of DNA (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Borneo jungle village

A remote village hidden in the rainforests of Borneo, surrounded by dense jungle and winding rivers. The community relies on traditional knowledge and close ties with the land as a backdrop for the unfolding drama. Humid air, vivid foliage, and looming myths of Balacau shape the mood and pace of the story.

🌴 Jungle 🏞️ Remote 🧭 Indigenous culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

Main Characters – DNA (1996)

Meet the key characters of DNA (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Ash Mattley (Mark Dacascos)

A pragmatic doctor in a remote Borneo village who becomes drawn into a dangerous experiment and ensuing chase. He balances scientific duty with concern for the locals, gradually taking a leadership role against Balacau.

🧪 Scientist 🧭 Explorer 🛡️ Protector

Dr. Carl Wessinger (Jürgen Prochnow)

A brilliant yet ruthless researcher whose betrayal triggers the central conflict. He productively pursues the fossil-enzyme project with the aim of cloning Balacau for profit, ignoring the human cost.

💼 Boss 🧬 Scientist 🎯 Manipulator

Claire Sommers (Robin McKee)

A CIA agent who recruits Mattley to trace Wessinger. She combines pragmatism with curiosity, guiding the mission while navigating danger from mercenaries and the jungle.

🕶️ Agent 🗺️ Strategist 🗣️ Negotiator

Matzu (Tom Taus)

A boy whose sister was among the victims, Matzu accompanies the leads through the jungle and provides invaluable local insight and resolve.

👦 Survivor 🧭 Guide 🗨️ Informant

Matzu (Thomas Taus, Jr.)

Another depiction of Matzu emphasizing the boy's importance to the group and his role as a catalyst for action against threats.

👦 Survivor 🧭 Guide 🗨️ Informant

Loren Azenfeld (Roger Aaron Brown)

Wessinger's associate turned casualty in the escape plan. He serves as a foil to the scientists and ultimately sacrifices himself to thwart the threat.

🧭 Scientist 🧰 Technician 🤝 Ally

Sergeant Reinhardt / Balacau (Mark McCracken)

A mercenary leader who embodies a blend of military practicality and the jungle's mythic danger. He manipulates events until Balacau's menace demands a reckoning.

⚔️ Soldier 🗝️ Antagonist 🌀 Monster

Kasala (Cris Aguilar)

A native figure offering essential jungle knowledge and aid. Kasala represents the local strength that anchors the protagonists against the unfolding peril.

🗺️ Guide 🫶 Ally 🧭 Local

Hatton (John H. Brennan)

A supporting figure in the investigation, contributing to the mission's tensions and the broader conflict surrounding Wessinger's project.

🧰 Support 🗡️ Mercenary 🗺️ Ally

Nurse (Susan Africa)

A medical professional who witnesses the escalating danger and provides care amid the jungle's growing threats.

🧑‍⚕️ Medical 🛡️ Caregiver 🗺️ Ally

Balacau

An ancient, alien-like creature brought back to life by Wessinger’s experiments. It serves as the central threat that drives the final confrontation.

👹 Monster 🧪 Abomination 🛰️ Unknown

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

Major Themes – DNA (1996)

Explore the central themes of DNA (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧬 Science

A central tension in the film is the pursuit of a beetle enzyme and the possibility of reanimating fossils. The story probes the ethics of experimentation when curiosity edges into danger. It highlights how scientific breakthroughs can become instruments of power and threat.

🕵️ Conspiracy

The involvement of the CIA and hidden funding reveals a web of secrecy and competing motives. Characters grapple with trust, surveillance, and the manipulation of information for profit. The plot underscores how institutions may prioritize expediency over safety.

🗺️ Survival

The jungle environment becomes a relentless adversary, demanding improvisation and resilience. Balacau's threat forces the protagonists to rely on local knowledge and teamwork. The chase through traps and terrain tests their endurance to the limit.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:03

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DNA Summary

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DNA Summary

DNA Timeline

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DNA Timeline

DNA Spoiler-Free Summary

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DNA Spoiler-Free Summary

More About DNA

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More About DNA

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