TMBTMB
TMBTMB

Track, discover and find where to watch TV shows and movies.

Discover

  • Movies
  • TV Shows
  • Browse
  • Topics

Account

  • Watchlist
  • Watched
  • Ratings

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Content Policy

© 2026 Movie Browser. All rights reserved.

Data provided by TMDB

Home
Browse
Watchlist
backdrop
backdrop
logo
Woody Harrelson unhinged before it was cool. A '88 TV movie that punches above its weight.
TMDB
60
IMDb
52

Killer Instinct (1988)

forgotten-gempsychological-gritTV-golden-age

Overview

DramaTV Movie

Woody Harrelson stars in the story of psychiatrist Lisa DaVito and her battle to save a tortured man whose past has turned him to violence. One tragic incident seals his fate and shakes Lisa's faith in her profession.

Flag of USUS
Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Harrelson's wild-eyed volatility before Cheers made him safe.

Direction

Hussein wrings genuine dread from network TV constraints.

Best for:Solo: Rainy afternoon when you want to feel something terrible.·Rewatch: Spotting pre-fame Harrelson's chaotic energy brewing.
Heads up:Violence: Sudden brutal assault; 80s TV pushed boundaries here.·Triggers: Childhood trauma flashbacks handled with unsettling frankness.
Waris Hussein

Director

Waris Hussein

ReleasedNov 22, 1988
Runtime1h 33m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensityhigh
Tonedark
Feelheavy
ITC Entertainment
Miller-Bromberg II

Top Cast

Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert

Dr. Lisa DaVito

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson

Charlie Long

Lane Smith

Lane Smith

Dr. Butler

Kevin Conroy

Kevin Conroy

Dr. Steven Nelson

Anne Betancourt

Anne Betancourt

Sonia

Roy Brocksmith

Roy Brocksmith

Janet MacLachlan

Janet MacLachlan

Nurse Stoddard

William Marshall

William Marshall

Marco Rodríguez

Marco Rodríguez

Barry Dennen

Barry Dennen

Mr. Martin

Ask about Killer Instinct

Opens AI chat

Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Kevin Conroy appears here years before becoming the definitive Batman voice—listen for that commanding baritone.

Cultural

This aired during the 'criminal mind' TV movie boom, when networks competed to out-psychologize each other after The Silence of the Lambs changed everything.

Gallery

Reviews

No ratings yet

Start the discussionBe the first to post — spoiler-safe
Rate & reviewBe the first to weigh in

Recommended

Hello movie poster (2022)
6.3

Hello

The Neighbor in the Window movie poster (2020)
7.3

The Neighbor in the Window

Seeds of Yesterday movie poster (2015)
6.4

Seeds of Yesterday

TalhotBlond movie poster (2012)
6.3

TalhotBlond

Girl in the Box movie poster (2016)
6.7

Girl in the Box

A Sister's Secret movie poster (2018)
7.2

A Sister's Secret

Dr. Strange movie poster (1978)
6.0

Dr. Strange

Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding movie poster (2003)
5.9

Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding

Ray Donovan: The Movie movie poster (2022)
6.8

Ray Donovan: The Movie

American Son movie poster (2019)
6.1

American Son

I Am Elizabeth Smart movie poster (2017)
6.9

I Am Elizabeth Smart

Harry and Meghan: Escaping the Palace movie poster (2021)
6.7

Harry and Meghan: Escaping the Palace

Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault movie poster (1996)
7.1

Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault

A Bramble House Christmas movie poster (2017)
6.4

A Bramble House Christmas

Hello Sister, Goodbye Life movie poster (2006)
6.1

Hello Sister, Goodbye Life

Discussion

Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.

Discussion starters

View all comments →