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Wild Things

Play trailer Poster for Wild Things R Released Mar 20, 1998 1h 47m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 121 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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Wild Things

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 Priscilla C GUILTY PLEASURE...don't let the hollywood A list cast fool you, it's a CAMP CLASSIC...a trailer trash, high IQ teen is the heroine and the web she weaves sublime...LOVE IT...1) do you need another reason to adore neve campbell 2) denise richards boldly naked every chance she gets...no wonder she was married to whatshisface... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/23/25 Full Review Shawn R Really enjoyed this movie. It's got everything including an all star cast! You shall not be disappointed Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/16/24 Full Review kristin h I really like this movie, cheese and all. They had me at Matt Dillon and Bill Murray. Kevin Bacon is all bonus. Theresa Russell almost ruins it with her soap opera acting style, but then you have Carrie Snodgrass and Neve Campbell to bring it home. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/20/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Wild Things

Wild Things: Official Clip - Good Guess! Wild Things: Official Clip - Good Guess! 2:12 Wild Things: Official Clip - First Rule of Sailing Wild Things: Official Clip - First Rule of Sailing 2:11 Wild Things: Official Clip - Three's a Crowd Wild Things: Official Clip - Three's a Crowd 2:13 Wild Things: Official Clip - Discussing the Case Wild Things: Official Clip - Discussing the Case 1:46 Wild Things: Official Clip - I Was Raped Wild Things: Official Clip - I Was Raped 1:19 Wild Things: Official Clip - Seducing Lombardo Wild Things: Official Clip - Seducing Lombardo 2:05 Wild Things: Official Clip - The Pool Scene Wild Things: Official Clip - The Pool Scene 1:59 Wild Things: Official Clip - Peeping in People's Windows Wild Things: Official Clip - Peeping in People's Windows 2:12 View more videos
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Movie Info

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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