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Zero Effect logo
1998·Comedy·1h 56m
7.0
★
Daryl Zero is a private investigator and—along with his assistant, Steve Arlo—he solves impossible crimes and puzzles. Although Daryl's a master investigator, he doesn't know what to do with himself when he's not working; he has no social skills, writes bad music and drives Steve crazy.
Directed by Jake Kasdan
blackmail
detective
whodunit
YouTube
Trailer
IMDB
IMDB
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Where to Watch
Amazon VideoApple TV StoreAmazon Video

Cast

Bill Pullman
Bill Pullman
Daryl Zero
Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller
Steve Arlo
Ryan O'Neal
Ryan O'Neal
Gregory Stark
Kim Dickens
Kim Dickens
Gloria Sullivan
Angela Featherstone
Angela Featherstone
Jess
Matt O'Toole
Matt O'Toole
Kragan Vincent
Michele Mariana
Michele Mariana
Maid
Robert Katims
Robert Katims
Gerald Auerbach
David Doty
David Doty
Officer Hagans

Crew

Jake Kasdan
Jake Kasdan
Director
Jake Kasdan
Jake Kasdan
Writer
Bill Pope
Bill Pope
Director of Photography
Lisa Henson
Lisa Henson
Producer
Jake Kasdan
Jake Kasdan
Producer
Janet Yang
Janet Yang
Producer
Mary Vernieu
Mary Vernieu
Casting
Philip Messina
Philip Messina
Art Direction
Kym Barrett
Kym Barrett
Costume Design

Popular Reviews

35 reviews
Robbie
RobbiePRO
8.0★ · 02/21/26
Zero Effect
How has this film gone under the radar for so long? Bill Pullman stars as the reclusive (very) private detective and Ben Stiller as his assistant who does all his publicity. There are obviously a lot of similarities to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and Jake Kasdan pulled this off perfectly, this was a great directorial debut.
How has this film gone under the radar for so long? Bill Pullman stars as the reclusive (very) private detective and Ben Stiller as his assistant who does all his publicity. There are obviously a lot of similarities to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and Jake Kasdan pulled this off perfectly, this was a great directorial debut.
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1
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Robbie
Robbie
8.0★ · 02/21/26
Zero Effect
How has this film gone under the radar for so long? Bill Pullman stars as the reclusive (very) private detective and Ben Stiller as his assistant who does all his publicity. There are obviously a lot of similarities to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and Jake Kasdan pulled this off perfectly, this was a great directorial debut.
How has this film gone under the radar for so long? Bill Pullman stars as the reclusive (very) private detective and Ben Stiller as his assistant who does all his publicity. There are obviously a lot of similarities to Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and Jake Kasdan pulled this off perfectly, this was a great directorial debut.
Favorite
1
love
Comment
Moira Christine
Moira Christine
9.0★ · 05/08/26
Zero Effect
Criminally underseen and incredibly charming. If only Kasdan could have made a whole series of these.

Pullman exceedingly handsome no matter the costume. Epic Nick Cave needle drop.
Criminally underseen and incredibly charming. If only Kasdan could have made a whole series of these.

Pullman exceedingly handsome no matter the costume. Epic Nick Cave needle drop.
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joshparr70
joshparr70
4.0★ · 04/19/26
Zero Effect
Extra star for Elvis Costello at the start but minus star for the amount of Ben Stiller kissing scenes
Extra star for Elvis Costello at the start but minus star for the amount of Ben Stiller kissing scenes
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Kaeron
Kaeron
8.0★ · 03/06/26
Zero Effect
What am I supposed to do without you...
What am I supposed to do without you...
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Zero Effect (1998) | Flick