Poison
Two men in colonial India face a sudden life and death problem when a venomous snake makes a home on an Englishman's abdomen. The patient is pinned by fear and a fast moving venom, while an anxious medical man arrives to help. His assistant, known as the Supervisor, and a local doctor must... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: February 05, 2026
About Poison
Two men in colonial India face a sudden life and death problem when a venomous snake makes a home on an Englishman's abdomen. The patient is pinned by fear and a fast moving venom, while an anxious medical man arrives to help. His assistant, known as the Supervisor, and a local doctor must outpace the clock as they improvise tests, techniques and a plan to neutralize the bite. With humor simmering beneath the tension, the scene becomes a study in nerves, pride and improvised problem solving. The stakes escalate without tipping into farce, inviting the viewer to wonder what will come next. The interplay of observation and misdirection gives the moment a peculiar rhythm. The exchange of glances and nerves paints a snapshot of a miscast world where intellect and luck collide.
Directed by Wes Anderson, Poison adapts Roald Dahl's original material for the screen with a studded cast led by Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley and Ralph Fiennes. The production uses Anderson's signature framing with symmetrical compositions and dry humor.
Box office data for Poison has not been widely reported and the film is not known for large scale earnings. It appears to have targeted a limited theatrical window and a selective streaming release.
As of now there are no major awards reported for this title. Critics offer mixed reception, praising performances and production design while noting tonal quirks that may divide audiences. The absence of nominations keeps it low on awards conversations. Critics also note its craft.
Reception is mixed, with a vote average of 6.863 out of 10 from 545 votes reflecting varied responses. The film seems to explore class and power under colonial order, while balancing tension and wit in a manner reminiscent of Anderson's stylized approach. Its visual palette and humor invite repeat viewing.
Details
- Release Date
- September 29, 2023
- Runtime
- 17m
- Rating
- PG
- User Ratings
- 545 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Comedy, Thriller
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- American Empirical Pictures +1 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Benedict Cumberbatch
Harry Pope
Dev Patel
Supervisor Woods
Ben Kingsley
Dr. Ganderbai
Ralph Fiennes
Roald Dahl
Eliel Ford
Stagehand
Benoît Herlin
Stagehand
Director: Wes Anderson
Written by: Roald Dahl