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The Day After

The Day After

Science Fiction · Drama · TV Movie · 1983

In the mid-1980s, the U.S. is poised on the brink of nuclear war. This shadow looms over the residents of a small town in Kansas as they continue their daily lives. Dr. Russell Oakes maintains his busy schedule at the hospital, Denise Dahlberg prepares for her upcoming wedding, and Stephen Klein is deep in his graduate studies. When the unthinkable happens and the bombs come down, the town's residents are thrust into the horrors of nuclear winter.

Movie details

The Day After

“They told us it would be impossible to make this movie. They told us it would be impossible for you to watch it. We hope nothing is impossible.”

1983 Science Fiction · Drama · TV Movie 2h 7m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.8 / 10

Community rating

In the mid-1980s, the U.S. is poised on the brink of nuclear war. This shadow looms over the residents of a small town in Kansas as they continue their daily lives. Dr. Russell Oakes maintains his busy schedule at the hospital, Denise Dahlberg prepares for her upcoming wedding, and Stephen Klein is deep in his graduate studies. When the unthinkable happens and the bombs come down, the town's residents are thrust into the horrors of nuclear winter.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Day After?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Nicholas Meyer

Written by

Edward Hume

Jason Robards

Jason Robards

Dr. Russell Oakes

JoBeth Williams

JoBeth Williams

Nurse Nancy Bauer

Steve Guttenberg

Steve Guttenberg

Stephen Klein

John Cullum

John Cullum

Jim Dahlberg

John Lithgow

John Lithgow

Joe Huxley

Bibi Besch

Bibi Besch

Eve Dahlberg

Lori Lethin

Lori Lethin

Denise Dahlberg

Court is in session

Put The Day After on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.