The Langoliers

Synopsis

The Langoliers is a 1995 television miniseries based on a novella by Stephen King, featuring Patricia Wettig among the cast. The story revolves around a group of passengers on a red-eye flight who awaken to find most of the people on the plane have mysteriously vanished. As they disembark at a seemingly deserted airport, they soon realize that something sinister is unfolding around them. The series blends elements of science fiction, mystery, and supernatural horror, exploring themes of time, reality, and survival. The atmospheric tension and eerie scenarios create a suspenseful journey as the characters try to understand the strange phenomenon they experience.

Cast

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  Patricia Wettig

  Laurel Stevenson

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  Dean Stockwell

  Bob Jenkins

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  Kate Maberly

  Dinah Catherine Bellman

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  David Morse

  Captain Brian Engle

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  Bronson Pinchot

  Craig Toomy

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  Mark Lindsay Chapman

  Nick Hopewell

Reviews

Critical reception of The Langoliers has been mixed. On IMDb, the miniseries holds a rating of 6.1 out of 10, indicating a rather average viewer response. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 48% approval rating, reflecting divided opinions among critics and viewers alike. Some praised the miniseries for its intriguing concept drawn from Stephen King's work, with well-executed suspense and a gripping premise. However, several critiques pointed to the limitations in special effects and pacing, considering it somewhat dated even at the time of release. For example, some reviewers felt that the tension was not sustained effectively throughout the runtime, and the character development was shallow. While Patricia Wettig's performance was noted as a competent highlight, others found the overall execution lacking in depth and polish compared to other Stephen King adaptations. Metacritic does not list a score, emphasizing the mixed and minimal critical coverage. Overall, The Langoliers appeals primarily to fans of King's literary universe and 90s television horror, but may not resonate as strongly with a broader audience seeking a more contemporary or tightly-scripted thriller.