The Serpent and the Rainbow is a 1988 American horror film directed by Wes Craven and written by Richard Maxwell and Adam Rodman. It is loosely based on the non-fiction book of the same name by ethnobotanist Wade Davis, wherein Davis recounted his experiences in Haiti investigating the story of Clairvius Narcisse, who was allegedly poisoned, buried alive, and revived with an herbal brew which produced what was called a zombie. The film stars Bill Pullman, Cathy Tyson, Zakes Mokae, Paul Winfield, Brent Jennings, Michael Gough, and Paul Guilfoyle. The Serpent and the Rainbow was released in the United States by Universal Pictures on February 5, 1988.