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 – DNA (1996)

Trace every key event in DNA (1996) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Beetle expedition betrayal

Dr. Ash Mattley accompanies Carl Wessinger in the Borneo jungle to study a beetle enzyme. Wessinger betrays his team, abandoning them in a cave as he seizes the specimens. The betrayal seeds distrust and sets his later pursuit of Balacau in motion.

During the beetle expedition Borneo jungle cave
2

Balacau myth introduced

Wessinger uncovers a fossil in the jungle and brings it back to his team. The local natives fear and worship the deceased creature, whom they name Balacau. The discovery foreshadows a dangerous threat tied to the fossil.

Soon after the betrayal Jungle, near the initial site
3

Two years later: murders begin

Two years pass and Mattley's clinic is beset by grisly jungle murders. The locals link the killings to Balacau, an ancient myth that haunts the area. The fear drives Claire Sommers to bring in outside help.

Two years later Mattley's jungle clinic
4

CIA enlistment: Sommers seeks help

Claire Sommers approaches Mattley, revealing she works for the CIA and was sent to track down Wessinger. She explains Wessinger's funding by U.S. interests and the importance of recovering him. Mattley agrees to join the search to stop Balacau and uncover the truth.

Shortly after the murders Mattley's jungle clinic
5

Teaming up with Matzu

Mattley and Sommers recruit Matzu, a boy whose sister was one of the victims, to guide them through the jungle. Together they set out to locate Wessinger and halt Balacau's threat. The CIA's role becomes clearer as they uncover connections to the fossil.

During their pursuit into the jungle Jungle
6

Wessinger's compound and Balacau reanimated

They reach Wessinger's abandoned compound and labs, only to find the place deserted. In the main lab they discover that Wessinger used the beetle enzyme to reanimate Balacau's fossil. His records reveal Balacau is an alien creature resurrected to be sold as a weapon.

Arrival at the compound Wessinger's abandoned compound
7

Balacau attacks; escape attempts

Balacau returns to the compound and pursues Mattley and Sommers. The duo becomes separated, but a combination of Sommers's camera flash and helicopter light frightens Balacau away. The creature resumes its hunt across the facility.

During Balacau's attack Main lab / compound
8

Mercenaries arrive: double-edged help

A band of mercenaries led by Sergeant Reinhardt arrives to assist in recapturing Balacau but instead aids Wessinger's plan to subdue Mattley and Sommers. They decide to use Wessinger's assistant Azenfeld as bait for the creature. Tensions rise as loyalties blur in the chaos.

Mercenaries' arrival Compound
9

Azenfeld's sacrifice and the bomb

In the ensuing battle, Azenfeld sacrifices himself to trigger a bomb that kills Wessinger, Reinhardt, and most of the mercenaries. The blast thins the resistance and leaves Mattley, Sommers, and Matzu scrambling for safety.

During the mass confrontation Abandoned compound
10

Escape and Matzu's death

Mattley, Sommers, and Matzu flee deeper into the jungle while Balacau and surviving mercenaries pursue. Matzu is killed while warning the others, and the natives perform a burial for him before continuing the chase. The trio pushes forward through dangerous terrain as Balacau closes in.

Pursuit after the bombing Jungle path
11

Final battle: Balacau is killed

After surviving a gauntlet of traps, Mattley seizes a rocket launcher from Sommers and launches a fatal blast into Balacau's mouth. The creature is destroyed, ending its terror in the jungle. Mattley and Sommers share a tense, hopeful moment as danger subsides.

Final confrontation Bottom of a waterfall; jungle
12

Resolution: rescue and relief

CIA rescue helicopters arrive and the locals celebrate Balacau's defeat. Mattley and Sommers grow closer, having survived the deadly mission. The jungle returns to a fragile peace, with Matzu's tribe paying final respects to their fallen boy and the humans moving on.

After Balacau's defeat Waterfall area / jungle outskirts

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:29

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