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Action Cult Classic

Stranded enemies become unlikely allies on a hostile alien world.

ENEMY MINE

Enemies because they were taught to be. Survivors because they had to be.

1985 · 1h 48m · PG-1 · Action / Adventure / Drama / Science Fiction · IMDB TMDB

During a long space war, the lives of two wounded enemies become dependent on their ability to forgive and to trust.

Quick Answer

What is Enemy Mine about?

Enemy Mine is a 1985 United States action, adventure, drama, and science fiction film directed by Wolfgang Petersen about a human and a Drac pilot who must cooperate to survive after crash-landing on a hostile planet.

Programmer's Pick

When a grumpy human and a reptilian Drac go from mortal enemies to cosmic roommates, space war melodrama gets a crash course in empathy. Wolfgang Petersen extracts genuine warmth from volcanic wastelands and language barriers, with Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr. trading hostility for hard-won respect.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in the late 21st century during an interstellar war between humans and the reptilian Dracs, Enemy Mine opens with a fierce dogfight that leaves human pilot Willis Davidge and Drac pilot Jeriba Shigan stranded on the volcanic, unforgiving surface of Fyrine IV. Initially, both are driven by animosity and the urge to eliminate the other, but the planet’s harsh conditions force them into an uneasy truce. As they navigate the hostile landscape, the adversaries must learn to trust one another and adapt not only to their surroundings, but also to each other's cultures and languages. Over several years, what begins as a fight for survival becomes something transformative for both.

Details & Specs

Director
Wolfgang Petersen
Writers
Edward Khmara, Barry Longyear
Release
1985
Runtime
1h 48m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Also Known As
Inimigo Meu, Mój ukochany wróg, 에너미 마인

Why This Matters

Notable for its troubled production history—including a director change and relocation from Budapest to Munich—this US/UK/West Germany co-production became the first Western sci-fi film shown in Soviet theaters and is now slated for a remake announced in 2024.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Wolfgang Petersen Writers: Edward Khmara +1 more

Explore More

Why Cult

Alien Buddy Survival

Watch a human and a Drac rival forced into an uneasy alliance, turning interstellar hatred into cooperation on a deadly planet.

Language & Culture Clash

The film leans into communication barriers, with the protagonists learning each other’s languages and customs as a matter of survival.

21st Century Sci-Fi

Set in 2092, this film builds its drama amid alien wars and crash-landed dogfights in hostile extraterrestrial environments.

Empathy Through Adversity

Over three years stranded together, enmity transforms into friendship as survival demands trust and sacrifice.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Crash landing on Fyrine IV

Threat

Hostile alien planet environment

Effect

Forces enemies to cooperate for survival

Setting

Volcanic wasteland of Fyrine IV

Questions from the Vault

When was Enemy Mine released? +

Enemy Mine was released in 1985.

Who directed Enemy Mine? +

Enemy Mine was directed by Wolfgang Petersen.

How long is Enemy Mine? +

Enemy Mine has a runtime of 108 minutes.

What genre is Enemy Mine? +

Enemy Mine is an action, adventure, drama, and science fiction film.

How do Davidge and Jerry overcome their rivalry? +

Initially hunting each other as enemies, Davidge and Jerry are forced by their environment to cooperate for survival, leading them to learn each other's languages and form a strong friendship.

Trailers & Clips