Dead in the Water 1991
In the legal thriller Dead in the Water (1991), directed by Bill Condon, ambition collides with desperation when a respected lawyer's carefully constructed life begins to unravel.
Director: Bill Condon
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dead in the Water (1991) about?
Dead in the Water follows Charlie Deegan, a San Francisco lawyer on the brink of a judicial appointment, whose perfect life hides a desperate secret. When his ambitious lover suggests eliminating his overbearing wife, he believes he can engineer the ultimate crime—but his legal acumen may be his undoing. A gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and the illusion of control.
Who directed Dead in the Water?
Bill Condon directed Dead in the Water (1991). Known for his sharp storytelling and character-driven dramas, Condon crafts a tense psychological thriller exploring the darker side of professional success.
Who stars in Dead in the Water?
The cast of Dead in the Water (1991) includes Bryan Brown as Charlie Deegan, Teri Hatcher as his lover Laura, Anne DeSalvo, Veronica Cartwright, Seymour Cassel, and Pruitt Taylor Vince, all delivering compelling performances in this high-stakes drama.
Is Dead in the Water (1991) worth watching?
Dead in the Water (1991) is a compelling watch for fans of slow-burn thrillers and moral dilemmas. While not widely rated, its tight script, strong performances—especially from Bryan Brown—and Condon's direction make it a satisfying 90-minute character study. Ideal for viewers who enjoy crime dramas with psychological depth and high tension.
How long is Dead in the Water?
Dead in the Water (1991) has a runtime of 90 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Dead in the Water (1991) — A Lawyer's Descent into Crime and Consequences
In the legal thriller Dead in the Water (1991), directed by Bill Condon, ambition collides with desperation when a respected lawyer's carefully constructed life begins to unravel. Bryan Brown stars as Charlie Deegan, a man who has clawed his way to the top of San Francisco's legal elite—wealth, status, and a glamorous mistress are all within his grasp. But his controlling wife, Olivia, stands as an immovable obstacle. When his lover Laura whispers the unthinkable, Charlie believes he can orchestrate the perfect crime, using his legal brilliance to outmaneuver justice itself. What unfolds is a tense psychological cat-and-mouse game against time, morality, and human nature.
Set against the fog-drenched streets and shadowy corridors of power, Dead in the Water (1991) blends courtroom cunning with domestic noir, exposing the rot beneath the polished surface of success. Teri Hatcher co-stars as Laura, whose seductive influence pushes Charlie toward moral collapse, while Anne DeSalvo and Seymour Cassel round out a cast delivering sharp, morally ambiguous performances. Condon crafts a film where every motive is suspect and every plan is fragile—a taut 90-minute examination of greed, control, and the terrifying ease with which power corrupts.