Zero Effect

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Zero Effect

R

1998

1h 55m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

52 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Private investigator Daryl Zero (Bill Pullman) is one of the finest sleuths in the world but also one of the most eccentric. A recluse prone to odd behavior, Daryl utilizes his assistant, Steve Arlo (Ben Stiller), as his face to see clients. When businessman Gregory Stark (Ryan O'Neal) falls victim to a blackmail plot, he employs Daryl to find the culprit. Daryl starts to home in on Gloria Sullivan (Kim Dickens) as a suspect, but he also finds her attractive, which complicates the case.

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Critics Consensus

A promising debut for writer/director Jake Kasdan, Zero Effect overcomes its flaws with its off-kilter humor and likeable leads.

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Martin Hoyle

Financial Times

Jun 21, 2023

Polished, ironic, enjoyable and hugely promising.

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Geoff Brown

The Times (UK)

Jun 21, 2023

The film's eccentricities are badly controlled; and they oddly sit with the tired thriller conventions that are visible elsewhere. Once he loosens up, Kasdan might create something less artificial.

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Quentin Curtis

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jun 21, 2023

If you are looking for something on a smaller scale and more cerebral, you could do a lot worse than Zero Effect.

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Matthew Sweet

Independent on Sunday

Jun 21, 2023

It's Kasdan who should really take the credit: his script is witty, and his handling of detective conventions is easy and unmannered. Remember his name.

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Jan 31, 2023

3.5/5

As a film, Zero Effect shows Kasdan's promise as a filmmaker.

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Sep 1, 2022

B

The presence of Stiller may lead you to expect a light, quirky Gen-X spin on the detective genre, but it cuts deeper than that.

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Jeremy M

@RT39244998 Aug 20, 2026

I love this updating of Sherlock Holmes, especially Bill Pullman’s portrayal of the title character.

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Teddy S

@Teddy_S Aug 18, 2026

It's watchable, occasionally cute and filmed well enough but there's nothing to get your teeth into here. The writing is mediocre and the attempt at creating unusual, off-kilter characters results in some wooden and uncompelling performances. A forgotten curio for film buffs and nothing more.

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S. O

@Col._Angus Jul 20, 2026

If you're a Bill Pullman fan you will love this. It's also fun to see a young Ben Stiller, as his career was getting started. I'm from Portland, so it's fun to see this snapshot in time, when the city wasn't a disgusting, steaming cesspool of trash and drug addicts. Overall the story is fun. I'm not sure I'd recommend it, but it's a fun ride.

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C.S. M

@RT20841719 Jul 17, 2026

As a neurodiverse person I f-ing love this movie. There are aspects about Mr Zero's personality thaf just really resonate. Its well paced. Its got a wonky sense of humor that I absolutely love.

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Donald A

@TheRealAckervold Jan 7, 2024

Zero Effect is a slick, witty, and a comically brilliant retelling of the World's Greatest Detective. Bill Pullman is hilariously charming, and one of Ben Stiller's less heavy-on-comedy roles is additionally well-rounded. Throw in a fantastic breakthrough performance from Kim Dickens, and a surprisingly dynamic Ryan O'Neal, and Zero Effect all but lives down to its title.

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Steve D

@RT35616104 Feb 12, 2023

Talented leads but it is just too odd.

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Jake Kasdan

Director

Bill Pullman

Daryl Zero

Ben Stiller

Steve Arlo

Ryan O'Neal

Gregory Stark

Kim Dickens

Gloria Sullivan

Angela Featherstone

Jess

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Synopsis

Private investigator Daryl Zero (Bill Pullman) is one of the finest sleuths in the world but also one of the most eccentric. A recluse prone to odd behavior, Daryl utilizes his assistant, Steve Arlo (Ben Stiller), as his face to see clients. When businessman Gregory Stark (Ryan O'Neal) falls victim to a blackmail plot, he employs Daryl to find the culprit. Daryl starts to home in on Gloria Sullivan (Kim Dickens) as a suspect, but he also finds her attractive, which complicates the case.

Director: Jake Kasdan
Producer: Lisa Henson, Jake Kasdan, Janet Yang
Screenwriter: Jake Kasdan
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Manifest Film Co., Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia, Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 30, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.0M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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