Fear

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Fear

R

Released Apr 12, 1996

1h 36m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

38 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When 16-year-old Nicole Walker (Reese Witherspoon) meets 23-year-old David McCall (Mark Wahlberg) at a Seattle nightclub, she falls in love. David is exciting and charming, and despite the wide age gap, he wins over Nicole's family -- except for her workaholic father, Steven (William Petersen), who's suspicious of David from the start. His concerns are realized when David turns out to be a violent sociopath who sees Nicole as his possession, and her family home a fortress to be invaded.

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Critics Consensus

Fear has an appealing young cast, but their efforts aren't enough to consistently distract from an increasingly overblown - and illogical - teen stalker story.

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Susan Wloszczyna

USA Today

For a while, the cast is appealing enough, and the design is House Beautiful enough, to camouflage the Fatal flaws that turn the second half into an overblown, predictable snicker-fest.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

Aside from instigating a sexual awakening for a generation thanks to the rollercoaster scene, this murky, messy erotic thriller features a bad boyfriend AND a bad dad, a madonna/whore complex and a very savvy younger brother.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 11, 2023

Full Review

Mal Vincent

The Virginian-Pilot

Fear is so bad that it's good. It provides no scares, but quite a few laughs.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 22, 2022

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

If there isn't room for a big, dopey teen thriller in your movie-watching life, then the only thing you have to fear is Fear itself.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 14, 2020

Full Review

Brandon Collins

Medium Popcorn

It's not great. An interesting way to spend an hour-and-a-half, that's for sure. The performances were fine, but it was so twisted.

Rated: 2/5

May 4, 2020

Full Review

Justin Brown

Medium Popcorn

It's well-paced, a little crazy and creepy, but that's how it built up the character and the tension...

Rated: 3/5

May 4, 2020

Full Review

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Calvin T

Wasn't bad.......it kept me interested

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

Full Review

River P

I really liked Fear. Such a good flick. It’s got a great cast. Reese Witherspoon, Mark Wahlberg, William Petersen among others. One of Mark Wahlberg’s best films and roles. He does a really solid job in the film. It showcases his ability of being a psychopath. He pulls off the role really well. Reese Witherspoon does a beautiful job in her performance. The one moment in the movie I can think of is towards the end when Mark speaks to William through the door hole and he’s talking in kind of a creepy way and he shouts “so let me in the house.” I love that scene. Fear is a solid psychological dramatic thriller. My personal favorite film and role with Mark Wahlberg.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/15/25

Full Review

Niza R

One of Mark Wahlberg's best performances, his acting carries this movie to a different level. While the plot is a little lackluster, the twist and turns displayed make it incredible and definitely worth a watch. I didn't research the movie at all so i thought i was getting into a cheesy teen movie, but was pleasantly surprised by thrill and suspense.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

Full Review

Cecilia S

Have rewatched this so many times and always pick up something new I've missed

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

Full Review

Robyn M

I agree with reboot review. Love to see an updated version

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/25

Full Review

Vik D

So good. Love to see a reboot

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

Full Review

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James Foley

Director

Mark Wahlberg

David McCall

Reese Witherspoon

Nicole Walker

William Petersen

Steve Walker

Amy Brenneman

Laura Walker

Alyssa Milano

Margo Masse

Fear: Official Clip - Wild Roller Coaster Ride

2:09

Fear: Official Clip - All the Time in the World

2:09

Fear: Official Clip - Forever Hold Your Peace!

2:13

Fear: Official Clip - David Apologizes

1:45

Fear: Official Clip - We Have Something That Everybody Wants

2:13

Fear: Official Clip - The Security Guard Is Shot

1:18

Fear: Official Clip - Let Me in the F***in' House!

1:23

Fear: Official Clip - David Kills Gary

2:10

Fear: Official Clip - Nicole 4 Eva

0:37

Fear: Official Clip - Practically Family

1:46

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Synopsis

When 16-year-old Nicole Walker (Reese Witherspoon) meets 23-year-old David McCall (Mark Wahlberg) at a Seattle nightclub, she falls in love. David is exciting and charming, and despite the wide age gap, he wins over Nicole's family -- except for her workaholic father, Steven (William Petersen), who's suspicious of David from the start. His concerns are realized when David turns out to be a violent sociopath who sees Nicole as his possession, and her family home a fortress to be invaded.

Director: James Foley
Producer: Ric Kidney, Karen Snow
Screenwriter: Christopher Crowe
Distributor: Universal Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us], Universal Home Entertainment
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 12, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.5M
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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