Dead Calm
August 6, 2026
7:15pm | SIFF Film Center
Presented by Grand Illusion Cinema. Nicole Kidman, Billy Zane, and the late, great Sam Neill star in this highly engaging, underrated maritime thriller.
When a veteran sailor (Neill) and his wife (Kidman) rescue the half-delirious sole survivor of a crippled schooner (a compellingly deranged Zane), the skeptical husband rows to the disabled boat and finds a horrifying sight. Turning back to his own ship, he sees it racing away – with his wife on board – starting a desperate cat-and-mouse game on the high seas.
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SIFF year-round passes and vouchers are not valid for this screening.
“Three people, two boats… quite effectively directed, shot, and cast; exceptionally well cast…” —Gene Siskel, Siskel & Ebert
“The look, tone and feel of Dead Calm has barely aged a jot, making it an intensely rewarding film to rewatch… Neill and Zane contribute edge-of-your-seat performances… [Kidman] is a hypnotic presence.” — Luke Buckmaster, The Guardian
- Director: Phillip Noyce
- Principal Cast: Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, Billy Zane, George Shevtsov, Rod Mullinar
- Country: Australia
- Year: 1989
- Running Time: 96 min.
- Language: English