Wild Things

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Wild Things

R

1998

1h 47m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

120 Reviews

54%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When teen debutante Kelly (Denise Richards) fails to attract the attention of her hunky guidance counselor, Sam (Matt Dillon), she cries rape, igniting a scandal that results in his arrest. Sam appeals to Ken (Bill Murray), a hack personal-injury lawyer who has never handled a case that couldn't be helped by a prop neck brace. Soon, a second victim, Suzie (Neve Campbell), comes forward, and Detective Duquette (Kevin Bacon) discovers that the unfolding case is far from what it seems.

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Critics Consensus

Wild Things is a delightfully salacious, flesh-exposed romp that also requires a high degree of love for trash cinema.

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Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

...steamy, tawdry, gloriously over-the-top...

Aug 1, 2024

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Chicago Sun-Times

McNaughton and cinematographer Jeffrey L. Kimball frequently cut to glimpses of alligators lurking in the Florida swamps, echoing the predatory nature of virtually every main character.

Jun 9, 2023

Full Review

Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Director John McNaughton's grip is a bawdy mix of suspense, sex and silliness, all served up with a huge tongue sticking in his cheek. It's a foamy mix, topped off by highly charged performances.

Feb 2, 2023

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Nicholas Bell

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

A potboiler on class woes, Wild Things is the dark fruit at the end of a neo-noir era in the 1990s, where softcore sensibilities were an acceptable selling point and adult themes embraced.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 27, 2023

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Noah Berlatsky

Splice Today

Older noirs often present that failure of hierarchy as a crisis. But in Wild Things, it’s exhilarating.

Mar 28, 2023

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Trace Thurman

Bloody Disgusting

Lurid, trashy, and shockingly intelligent, Wild Things will surprise you like few films can.

Rated: 4.5/5

Mar 21, 2023

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Jack F

It wasn't as inappropriate as I thought it was gonna be. There were a lot of twists, and I didn't understand a lot of them. I'm glad I have this one under by belt.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/04/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Nudity, Language, Some Violence and Strong Sexuality!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $29,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Audience Member

I enjoyed this movie quite a bit, and also all the girls were very attractive. 4/5 stars.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

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Dennui S

I didn't expect much, but it's not bad noir, a bit campy.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/03/25

Full Review

Jamie W

Wild Things has always been known for its saucy scenes but when you watch it for more that that in my later life I found a funny, interesting, well acted movie with a great cast, score and even a hint of great cinematography across the Florida glades.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

Full Review

Stephen L

A wickedly entertaining neo-noir thriller, Wild Things is both smarter and trashier than it has any right to be. The cast leans into the pulp with delicious results - Neve Campbell and Denise Richards, in particular, bring unexpected depth. The direction is slick, the twists keep coming and it knows exactly when to wink. Delightfully lurid and never boring.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

Full Review

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John McNaughton

Director

Kevin Bacon

Sgt. Ray Duquette

Matt Dillon

Sam Lombardo

Neve Campbell

Suzie Marie Toller

Theresa Russell

Sandra Van Ryan

Denise Richards

Kelly Lanier Van Ryan

Wild Things: Official Clip - Good Guess!

2:12

Wild Things: Official Clip - First Rule of Sailing

2:11

Wild Things: Official Clip - Three's a Crowd

2:13

Wild Things: Official Clip - Discussing the Case

1:46

Wild Things: Official Clip - I Was Raped

1:19

Wild Things: Official Clip - Seducing Lombardo

2:05

Wild Things: Official Clip - The Pool Scene

1:59

Wild Things: Official Clip - Peeping in People's Windows

2:12

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Synopsis

When teen debutante Kelly (Denise Richards) fails to attract the attention of her hunky guidance counselor, Sam (Matt Dillon), she cries rape, igniting a scandal that results in his arrest. Sam appeals to Ken (Bill Murray), a hack personal-injury lawyer who has never handled a case that couldn't be helped by a prop neck brace. Soon, a second victim, Suzie (Neve Campbell), comes forward, and Detective Duquette (Kevin Bacon) discovers that the unfolding case is far from what it seems.

Director: John McNaughton
Producer: Steven A. Jones, Rodney Liber
Screenwriter: Stephen Peters
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Mandalay Pictures
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Some Violence|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.8M
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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