Jekyll & Hyde (1990) movie poster

Jekyll & Hyde

1990 ·1h 36m · ★ 5.8 (41)

Henry Jekyll is a troubled man. His wife died of pneumonia. He wants his sister-in-law, but her father forbids any contact. And his experiments into the dual nature of man have yielded a personality-splitting drug that he has tested on himself, changing him into an uninhibited brute who seeks violent and undignified pleasures. Jekyll quickly becomes addicted to the sordid freedom induced by the drug. He can commit the most enjoyably revolting deeds, then return to his laboratory and use an antidote to change back to his original form, so that his lofty persona remains untarnished.

Why it matters

A grimly atmospheric reimagining of the classic Jekyll and Hyde myth that leans hard into psychological decay and Victorian repression.

  • Michael Caine delivers a nuanced, world-weary Jekyll wrestling with addiction and forbidden desire.
  • Practical effects and makeup craft a disturbingly visceral Hyde, avoiding camp for dread.
  • The addition of a tragic backstory and tense family dynamics adds emotional depth rarely seen in adaptations.
  • For fans of gothic horror who appreciate character-driven tales that explore the darkness within, beyond mere monster spectacle.
2 horror films in catalog

Horror DNA

Gore
14
Slow Burn
33
Psychological
43
Supernatural
0
Creature
36
Disturbing
33
Fun Factor
17
Cerebral
14
Survival
0

Content Warnings

Body HorrorDehumanization

Phobia triggers

Needles

TMDB Keywords

jekyll and hyde

Pairs Well With