De Vierde Man (The Fourth Man) (The 4th Man) poster & wallpaper
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Jeroen Krabbé, Renée Soutendijk, Thom Hoffman, Dolf de Vries, Reinout Bussemaker ... see more see more... , Jon De Vries , Ursul de Geer , Geert de Jong , Erik J. Meijer , Hero Muller , Hans Veerman , Filip Bolluyt , Guus VanDer Made

This stylish erotic thriller gained a cult following for its frank treatment of bisexuality, bizarre visuals, and an extremely sexy performance by Renee Soutendijk as a woman who may or may not have k... read more read more...illed her three previous husbands. Jeroen Krabbe is terrific as the intended fourth, a broken-down bisexual writer who is pulled into Soutendijk's web like an unsuspecting fly. Bloody and erotic, De Vierde Man will also interest fans of director Paul Verhoeven, who returned to many of the same themes in his smash American hit Basic Instinct. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

2,697 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Paul Verhoeven

Release Date: March 24, 1983

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DVD Release Date: August 6, 2002

Stats: 134 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (134)

  • pier007
    December 20, 2011
    pier007
    Eros and Thanatos are always present in the oeuvre of Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven. Even if sometimes gets a little too excessive or gratuitous in his portrait of sexuality and crude imagery, he manages to sustain tension and a twisted comedic touch. I deeply enjoy being submer... read moreged in a demented artist's mind.
  • kenstachnik
    June 25, 2009
    kenstachnik
    The German Body Heat with a Brunel-esque twist. Amazing cinematography by Jan de Bont
  • jjnxn
    February 18, 2009
    jjnxn
    wonderfully atmospheric, excellent performances, and an odd compelling story make this eminently watchable.
  • vadermccandless
    May 22, 2012
    vadermccandless
    Funny and creepy worked together for a strange little supernatural/noir/mystery/horror film. Compelling on multiple levels.
  • TonyPolito
    November 17, 2010
    TonyPolito
    Clearly source material for, and strong influence toward, "Basic Instinct." The last Dutch film from Verhoeven (also the director of "Total Recall," "Showgirls," and "Robocop") before his successful exodus to Hollywood.

    A 30ish Amsterdam writer of fiction who holds some degree ... read moreof religious fervor (Krabbe) awakens with a healthy case of the DTs, reaches for a shaky swig of breakfast vino, contemplates killing his live-in boyfriend, then sets off for an out-of-town speaking engagement.

    As the journey evolves, Krabbe increasingly drifts through a hodge-podge of strange, disjointed experiences that may be real, may be alcoholic visions, may be his imagining of his next novel - or may even be supernatural premonitions of impending doom.

    Krabbe eventually stumbles into an attractive, icy and sexually-forward blonde hairdresser (Soutendijk). Krabbe, apparently having not viewed nearly enough Hitchcock, allows Soutendijk, who wields a sharp pair of scissors with ready ease, to start subtly weaving a Black Widow's web about him.

    Based upon its limited availability, this film appears to be quite the sleeper. Verhoeven provides his usual style of commentary, mostly describing what the viewer already sees & knows, only slightly peppered with information regarding the film's references, homages and backstories.

    The film merits several viewings toward alternative interpretations of its reality. Contains a small amount of full frontal male and female content - as well as some religious imagery that some viewers may find offensive and/or blasphemous.

    RECOMMENDATION: Primarily for fans of "Basic Instinct," Hitchcockian-styled suspense films and/or the puzzle-film genre.

View All De Vierde Man (The Fourth Man) (The 4th Man) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke
August 26, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

This highly-charged, beautifully crafted, heavily symbolic homoerotic thriller is stunning -- as stunning today as it was when it electrified audiences 23 years ago. Full Review

Dan Jardine
May 31, 2001
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide

This interesting film disintegrates into silly excess, but has much to recommend, including the terrific performance of Jeroen Krabbe. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jake Euker
March 9, 2006
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 19, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Frank Swietek
November 3, 2003
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

No review available.

Walter Chaw
September 3, 2003
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

No review available.

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
February 28, 2002
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

Click to read the article Full Review

James Kendrick
February 27, 2001
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

Click to read the article Full Review

January 26, 2006
Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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