TV Reviews : USA’s ‘Dead Reckoning’ Kills Characters, Story

“Dead Reckoning” is one of those little thrillers that screams treachery with every breath, with everybody intent on killing everybody else and pretty much accomplishing it without making much sense.

The movie, on USA cable at 9 tonight and again at 8 p.m. Sunday, is a case of triangulation involving well-to-do plastic surgeon Dan Barnard (Cliff Robertson, taking a break from his telephone duties), his much-younger and steamy hot wife Alex (Susan Blakely) and her ex-lover returned for more, the handsome, deranged, brutal Kyle Rath (singer-soap actor Rick Springfield).

They cruise out of Seattle on Dr. Dan’s new birthday yacht. When the weather turns stormy, so does the plot. They seek safety on a lonely lighthouse island, where the mayhem commences. One of them survives--but maybe not.

It’s all very cruel--if you’re one of those people who think humiliation, rape, beating, whipping and killing are cruel. Outside of that demur, the performances are nice and it’s earnest and intense. Just don’t pay close attention.