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Woody Harrelson unhinged before it was cool. A '88 TV movie that punches above its weight.
TMDB
60
IMDb
52

Killer Instinct (1988)

forgotten-gempsychological-gritTV-golden-age

Overview

DramaTV Movie

Woody Harrelson stars in the story of psychiatrist Lisa DaVito and her battle to save a tortured man whose past has turned him to violence. One tragic incident seals his fate and shakes Lisa's faith in her profession.

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Content warning
professional-integrity-vs-compassionnature-of-evilinstitutional-failureredemption-impossible

Standout Aspects

Acting

Harrelson's wild-eyed volatility before Cheers made him safe.

Direction

Hussein wrings genuine dread from network TV constraints.

Best for:Solo: Rainy afternoon when you want to feel something terrible.·Rewatch: Spotting pre-fame Harrelson's chaotic energy brewing.
Heads up:Violence: Sudden brutal assault; 80s TV pushed boundaries here.·Triggers: Childhood trauma flashbacks handled with unsettling frankness.
Waris Hussein

Director

Waris Hussein

ReleasedNov 22, 1988
Runtime1h 33m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensityhigh
Tonedark
Feelheavy
ITC Entertainment
Miller-Bromberg II

Top Cast

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Dr. Lisa DaVito

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson

Charlie Long

Lane Smith

Lane Smith

Dr. Butler

Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy

Dr. Steven Nelson

Anne Betancourt

Anne Betancourt

Sonia

Roy Brocksmith

Roy Brocksmith

Janet MacLachlan

Janet MacLachlan

Nurse Stoddard

William Marshall

William Marshall

Marco Rodríguez

Marco Rodríguez

Barry Dennen

Barry Dennen

Mr. Martin

Ask about Killer Instinct

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Kevin Conroy appears here years before becoming the definitive Batman voice—listen for that commanding baritone.

Cultural

This aired during the 'criminal mind' TV movie boom, when networks competed to out-psychologize each other after The Silence of the Lambs changed everything.

Gallery

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