DNA (1996): Cast & Plot
DNA is a 1996 action thriller directed by William Mesa, starring Mark Dacascos as Dr. Ash Mattley, Robin McKee and Jürgen Prochnow. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 37m (97 min)
- Director
- William Mesa
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Interlight
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is DNA About?
The premise of DNA without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A mad scientist revives a mysterious jungle creature by splicing its DNA onto ancient bones, creating a ferocious, carnivorous beast. Now his ex‑assistant Ash Mattley teams up with CIA operative Claire Sommers to hunt the monster and prevent it from terrorizing the jungle.
DNA Themes & Keywords
· 47 tags- mad scientist
- jungle adventure
- murder of a child
- time bomb
- genetic experiment
- scientist hero
- female cia operative
- borneo
- doctor
- tribe
- 2 years later
- research facility
+35 more Show fewer
- knife throwing
- electric fence
- gun
- hospital
- lab
- alien
- monkey
- blood
- human bait
- heroic sacrifice
- shootout
- self sacrifice
- creature feature
- child in jeopardy
- female nudity
- jungle
- exploding helicopter
- helicopter crash
- entire title is capitalized acronym
- acronym in title
- balacau creature
- rocket launcher
- gene manipulation
- part computer animation
- helicopter
- desert eagle
- mutant
- part stop motion
- shot through the mouth
- gatling gun
- spinning axe
- stabbed in the throat
- explosion
- death of child
- independent film
DNA Cast & Characters
Mark Dacascos leads the cast as Dr. Ash Mattley, with Robin McKee as Claire Sommers and Jürgen Prochnow as Dr. Carl Wessinger. Directed by William Mesa; 11 actors are credited in all.
- Director William Mesa
-
Mark Dacascos as Dr. Ash Mattley - Robin McKee as Claire Sommers
-
Jürgen Prochnow as Dr. Carl Wessinger - Mark McCracken as Sergeant Reinhardt / Balacau
Also Starring in DNA
· 7 more- Tom Taus Matzu
- Roger Aaron Brown Loren Azenfeld
- Joel Torre Taka
- Susan Africa Nurse
- Cris Aguilar Kasala
- John H. Brennan Hatton
- Thomas Taus, Jr. Matzu
More from William Mesa
More films directed by William Mesa: Galaxis and The Darkening.
DNA Plot Summary
What happens in DNA from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Dr. Ash Mattley (Mark Dacascos), a doctor in a small village deep in the jungles of Borneo, is approached by another scientist, Dr. Carl Wessinger (Jürgen Prochnow) regarding his studies of an enzyme found in a rare beetle. With the aid of Mattley and a group of natives, Wessinger secures several of the beetles, but then betrays his team and leaves them behind in a cave. Later, Wessinger uncovers a fossil in the jungle, but the natives in his new team fall in fear and worship before the deceased creature, which they call Balacau.
Full summary
The whole story of DNA, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know DNA?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Dr. Ash Mattley?
Seen DNA?
Movies Like DNA
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Alien Lockdown, Carnosaur and The Curse of the Komodo.
DNA FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of DNA, each answered in a sentence.
How long is DNA?
DNA runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).
When was DNA released?
DNA was released on March 7, 1996.
Who directed DNA?
DNA was directed by William Mesa.
More films by William Mesa Who is in the cast of DNA?
DNA stars Mark Dacascos as Dr. Ash Mattley, Robin McKee as Claire Sommers and Jürgen Prochnow as Dr. Carl Wessinger, among 11 credited actors.
Does DNA have a post-credit scene?
No. DNA has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
