---
title: "Desperation"
year: 2006
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/desperation-2006"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 10004
imdb_id: "tt0129871"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 131
community_rating: 5.5
vote_count: 233
content_rating: "R"
---

# Desperation (2006) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/desperation-2006

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

Desperation is a 2006 drama, fantasy, horror, thriller, and mystery film released in the US with a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes and an R rating. The plot follows a sheriff who arrests a writer, a family, a couple, and a hitchhiker, throwing them into a jail cell in a deserted town where they must fight for their lives.

Categorized under multiple genres including horror and thriller, the film delivers a tense narrative driven by its isolated setting and perilous situation. The production is documented on major database platforms and features a dedicated user score and streaming availability information.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "Travelers are arrested by a sinister sheriff and thrown into a jail cell in a deserted town."

### Why Watch
- Features a tense premise involving a writer, a family, a couple, and a hitchhiker.
- Combines drama, fantasy, horror, thriller, and mystery genres.
- Runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes of suspenseful storytelling.

### Caveats & Content Note
- It is rated R, which may not appeal to all audiences.
- Tone & Suitability: The tone is dark and suspenseful with a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes, suitable for mature viewers due to its R rating.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #deserted-town, #sheriff, #jail-cell, #horror, #thriller, #mystery, #drama

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | None | None | Apple TV Store |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Mick Garris
- **Networks / Studios**: Touchstone Television, Sennet Entertainment

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Tom Skerritt** as *John Edward Marinville*
- **Steven Weber** as *Steve Ames*
- **Annabeth Gish** as *Mary Jackson*
- **Charles Durning** as *Tom Billingsley*
- **Matt Frewer** as *Ralph Carver*
- **Henry Thomas** as *Peter Jackson*
- **Shane Haboucha** as *David Carver*
- **Kelly Overton** as *Cynthia Smith*
- **Sylva Kelegian** as *Ellie Carver*
- **Ron Perlman** as *Collie Entragian*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where can I stream Desperation (2006)?
Streaming availability can be checked on platforms like The Movie Database under the watch now section.

### Q: Is Desperation (2006) worth watching?
It offers a suspenseful mix of horror, mystery, and thriller elements for fans of the genre.

### Q: What is the runtime of Desperation (2006)?
The film has a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes.

### Q: What genres does Desperation (2006) belong to?
It spans drama, fantasy, horror, thriller, and mystery.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [Desperation — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/10004)
- [Desperation (TV Movie 2006) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129871/)
- [Desperation (novel) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desperation_(novel))
- [Stephen King's Desperation (2006) - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd3TZNydQ6w)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*