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      The Mean Season

      1985, Crime/Drama, 1h 44m

      22 Reviews 1,000+ Ratings

      What to know

      Critics Consensus

      A thriller that plays at social commentary, The Mean Season fumbles with its weightier themes, but does so in a generally watchable way. Read critic reviews

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      The Mean Season  Photos

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      Movie Info

      After reporting on the murder of a teenage girl, journalist Malcolm Anderson (Kurt Russell) is contacted by the killer (Richard Jordan) known as the "Numbers Murderer," who offers exclusive information about the deaths. With the cooperation of the police, who tape the killer's phone calls, Malcolm agrees and soon becomes famous. Jealous of the attention the journalist is receiving for his coverage, the Numbers Murderer kidnaps Malcolm's girlfriend, Christine (Mariel Hemingway).

      • Rating: R

      • Genre: Crime, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Phillip Borsos

      • Producer: David Foster, Lawrence Turman

      • Release Date (Theaters):  limited

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Runtime:

      Cast & Crew

      Critic Reviews for The Mean Season

      Audience Reviews for The Mean Season

      • Aug 03, 2013

        Starts off really good and then really makes me lose interest about an hour in. The killer keeps building up to essentially nothing. I kept waiting for this insane plot twist, but nothing happens really, other than the predictable ending sequence (I won't even bother calling that a twist). So it's good for the first half of the film, but then just dies. Thankfully Kurt Russell's awesomeness helps to make this movie watchable at least. He helps to partially nullify the terrible supporting cast, especially the useless love interest, who's only purpose is to get kidnapped. Could have been a lot better.

        Stephen S Super Reviewer
      • Sep 25, 2012

        A disappointing and lackluster thriller, The Mean Season fails to deliver. Based on a novel, the film follows a burnt-out reporter who catches the story of his life when he's contacted by a serial killer who wants to use him as his messenger to the public. Kurt Russell, Mariel Hemingway, and Andy Garcia lead the cast, but give bland and uninspired performances; especially Hemingway, whose acting is dreadful. Additionally, the storytelling is weak and lacks any suspense or intrigue. And, while there's an interesting theme of reporters effecting and becoming the news, it's not executed very well. The Mean Season is a poorly made crime thriller that lacks passion and intensity.

        Super Reviewer

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