Lisa

PG-13

Released Apr 20, 1990

1h 35m

Mystery & Thriller

List

50%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Single mom Katherine (Cheryl Ladd) forbids her 14-year-old daughter, Lisa (Staci Keanan), from dating. Frustrated, Lisa and her equally lonely friend Wendy (Tanya Fenmore) take to secretly following attractive men, sneakily learning their numbers and prank calling them. It's all in fun until Lisa phones the handsome Richard (D.W. Moffett), who mistakes her for a grown woman and forges an emotional connection with her. But Lisa doesn't know that Richard is a stalker himself, and he's dangerous.

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Jeff M

If I were ever to write the Jeff Marshall Dictionary of Cinema, I would use a still from this movie next to my definition of BLAH. There is not a single exceptional or above average aspect of this movie - nary a tense moment or a particularly well acted scene or anything showing the last bit of originality. Let's face it, my 8 month old great-nephew could have guessed where this was going within the first ten minutes - and he's only been exposed to Peppa Pig and Little Baby Bum. I think there's actually potential in the subject matter - although it admittedly feels a bit gross and pervy in the world of 2021. The actions taken by Keanan here seem a little over the top and pushing the boundaries of believability, although I don't have a teenage daughter, so I know not of what I speak. There is some fun, I suppose, in seeing the dated hair and outfits. And younger viewers may need schooled on the answering machines and telephone booths that appear throughout the film. Moffett actually comes off a bit creepy behind his good looks and, given better material, might have been a memorable villain. As it is, you might want to put this on if you want a nice nap - you'll be able to dream about the plot, and I guarantee you'll get 95% of it correct. No likes yet

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

Full Review

Steve D

tv movie of the week at best.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/09/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I loved it! The 90s look is everything and this is such a cautionary tale for young girls out there!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a classic from the early 90s. Sure we don't use telephones and play prank phone call games anymore but back then we did and this movie scared us off of it forever !! Great acting, tension builds, great ending !! Pretty tame compared to today's thrillers but stilll a fun watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I thought it was a very stylish and classy thriller/horror movie with a great cast

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

The best. Awesome script and music. Loved everything about this film. Gem. Such a gem.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Gary Sherman

Director

Staci Keanan

Lisa

Cheryl Ladd

Katherine

D.W. Moffett

Richard

Tanya Fenmore

Wendy

Jeffrey Tambor

Mr. Marks

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38%

47%

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11%

51%

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

If it had developed in a subtle, realistic, logical way, it could have become a neat little Hitchcockian thriller.

Rated: 1.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

The director [...] may have made Lisa for a younger target demographic including his then-fourteen-year-old daughter, but there is something very special about the film that affects viewers of all ages.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 21, 2023

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...partially watchable yet mostly underwhelming...

Rated: 2/4

Jun 5, 2022

Full Review

Bill Chambers

Film Freak Central

I saw Lisa at the right age to metabolize it as a hang-out movie; when I watch the film today, it's a reunion with old friends. A reunion with youthful navet, too.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 3, 2022

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Unfortunately, the rather hokey genre elements this is married to eventually sullies these finer points, reducing the film to a rather generically inclined thriller, albeit one with actual consideration for its female characters.

Rated: 2.5/5

Oct 20, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Well-crafted serial killer thriller.

Rated: B-

Mar 21, 2015

Full Review

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Synopsis

Single mom Katherine (Cheryl Ladd) forbids her 14-year-old daughter, Lisa (Staci Keanan), from dating. Frustrated, Lisa and her equally lonely friend Wendy (Tanya Fenmore) take to secretly following attractive men, sneakily learning their numbers and prank calling them. It's all in fun until Lisa phones the handsome Richard (D.W. Moffett), who mistakes her for a grown woman and forges an emotional connection with her. But Lisa doesn't know that Richard is a stalker himself, and he's dangerous.

Director: Gary Sherman
Screenwriter: Gary Sherman, Karen Clark
Production Co: Gary Sherman Productions, United Artists, Surreal Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 20, 1990, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 3, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.1M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround