Zero Effect

Zero Effect is currently streaming on major platforms, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 202 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Watch it for Bill Pullman — stay for everyone else around them. Start it whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Zero Effect earns its spot. The jokes in Zero Effect land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Daryl Zero is a private investigator and—along with his assistant, Steve Arlo—he solves impossible crimes and puzzles. Although Daryl's a master investigator, he doesn't know what to do with himself when he's not working; he has no social skills, writes bad music and drives Steve crazy. The chemistry Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller bring to it does a lot of the heavy lifting. It was released in 1998. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Zero Effect holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, Zero Effect is a strong candidate. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Bill Pullman anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.

Zero Effect was released in 1998, directed by Jake Kasdan. The full 116-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.