Wild Things

R

Now Playing

1 hr. 47 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

64%

120 Reviews

Tomatometer

54%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Watch Wild Things with a subscription on Netflix, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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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Jan D

One of my favourite movies ! You start out with a "been there, seen that " feeling, and then you can't but notice that there's something more going on...and it's only during the end credits ( really, don't zap until the last minute ! ) that the truth is revealed. Absolutely recommended it to all my friends !

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

Edoardo C

if you like twists this is suited for you

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/17/23

Full Review

Test T

I thought the DVD cover was misleading because I thought it was a horror movie, and put off watching it. It's actually a crime movie with lots of twists and turns, where the viewer is never sure who's good and who's bad, or indeed what their motives are. It's set in Florida, so for the most part it's bright and sunny and pleasant to watch. The characters are interesting, and the story progresses rapidly so I never got bored. My only criticism is that it can all get a little confusing at times and it's easy to loose the plot if you don't concentrate.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/20/23

Full Review

Jon W

The film did what it wanted it to do, which was to make us all talk about it, even 25 years later people still talk about this movie. it is sad to think that the movie motel scene is what anyone remembers of this film at all even today. but take away the sex and violence you have a crime thriller that thinks it is way too clever. too many plot twists to count. the movie in all makes one want to shower when the end credits roll on the screen.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/09/23

Full Review

John A

Begins as a deft police procedural with an interesting setting and by the second half devolves into sleazy CSI: Miami fodder.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/30/23

Full Review

Bunk M

Matt Dillon & Bill Murray pace an everglades thinker with Richards & Campbell at their 90's finest.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/09/23

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

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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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60%

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Heaven

68%

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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

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

Richard Williams

Guardian

Blending the superheated emotions of Douglas Sirk with the soft-porn high-jinks of Russ Meyer, the result is steamy, ludicrous and very entertaining.

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

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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
Executive Producer: Kevin Bacon
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
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, Surround, Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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