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Jesse Bradford, Erika Christensen, Shiri Appleby, Kate Burton, Clayne Crawford ... see more see more... , Jason Ritter , Kia Joy Goodwin , Dan Hedaya , Michael Higgins , Nick Sandow , James DeBello , Phyllis Somerville

A moment of temptation leads to a high body count and untold regrets for a high-school swimming star in this thriller starring Bring It On's Jesse Bradford and Traffic's Erika Christensen. Despite a s... read more read more...hady past involving drugs and the juvenile justice system, Ben Cronin (Bradford) seems to have it all: a loving mother, a devoted girlfriend (Shiri Appleby), and a shot at a college scholarship in California. But the same week that athletic scouts will be deciding his future, Ben finds himself embroiled in a flirtation with Madison Bell (Christensen), a bewitching transfer student who seduces him into supposedly strings-free sex during an impromptu swim lesson after hours in the school pool. When Ben takes Madison at her word and goes about his business as if nothing had happened, she insinuates herself into his life with sinister glee. Showing up at Ben's house, befriending his girlfriend, and sending him naked pictures -- none of her strategies wins his heart. So Madison turns to other, more devious forms of courtship. Soon, Ben finds himself kicked off the swim team for supposed steroid use, suspected of murdering a rival (Clayne Crawford), and rejected by his girlfriend for his sexual indiscretions. Eventually, though, he receives help in uncovering the genesis of Madison's uncanny fixation from an unexpected source. Originally titled "Swimfan85" (after Madison's Internet screen name), the retitled Swimfan hit the top spot at the back-to-school box office when it was released September 6, 2002. Dan Hedaya co-stars as Ben's stern but loving mentor, Coach Simkins. Actor-turned-director John Polson previously helmed Siam Sunset. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Flixster Users

37% liked it

48,953 ratings

Critics

14% liked it

90 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 24 min.

Directed by: John Polson

Release Date: September 6, 2002

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DVD Release Date: March 11, 2003

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Flixster Reviews (1,761)

  • Deano78
    May 23, 2011
    Deano78
    An ok well shot, thriller aimed at the MTV generation. Yes this has been done a few times, Fatal Attraction set the bar, and the twists are quite predictable. However if you like thrillers of any sort you'll probably like to see this once.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 20, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Swimfan has gotten a lot of flack due to it's similarities with Fatal Attraction. In fact it's been called a teen version of Fatal Attraction. I haven't seen Fatal Attraction so I couldn't compare, but this an average thriller with decent enough acting. I wouldn't say great, but ... read morecertainly isn't awful. If you know the story of Fatal Attraction, then Swimfan follows the same path. Nothing original. I can't say that Simfan is a great film, because it isn't. But the film entertained me and it did have something going for it. But this is a pure, mindless thriller that follows the fatal attraction formula. The cast do what they can with a derivative script, and it feels at times lazy, and it shows. Swimfan is a guilty pleasure, and I admit I liked it somewhat cause it was entertaining, but it was fairly borderline average most of the time. Swimfan is the type of film that should be seen when you're bored and you're looking for something mindless, then Swimfan is the film to watch. But be warned, you won't find anything great in this film, maybe it'll entertain you, and and the same time you'll feel that theres something missing. I find the film to be borderline good and I;'d give a 5 out of 10. This may not be the best film, but I've seen my fair share of trash, and this is far from the worst film ever made. Swimfan is what I'd a guilty pleasure film, and it most certainly should be seen that way.
  • fb733768972
    August 28, 2010
    fb733768972
    A very underrated edge of your seat thrilling romance of a film. I can't say I love it, but it is very good. Jesse Bradford has not had the chance of being in many good films, and yet, this is one of his best.
  • puffchunk
    October 22, 2008
    puffchunk
    Fun to laugh at. Pretty lame otherwise.
  • purplemegan
    September 26, 2008
    purplemegan
    I only watched this because it was the only thing on tv in the middle of the night when I was still awake. It was pretty much fatal attraction all over again but terrible.
  • lewiskendell
    July 28, 2008
    lewiskendell
    As average and unremarkable as a movie can be. Not bad, but certainly not worth recommending.
  • TheGame90
    March 31, 2008
    TheGame90
    That is one sick chick
  • superclerk25
    July 11, 2007
    superclerk25
    Not too original but a little creepy.
  • jjnxn
    May 5, 2007
    jjnxn
    fatal attraction rip off but not terrible.
  • deano
    February 28, 2007
    deano
    This teen terror film promoted as Fatal Attraction for the next generation.

View All Swimfan Reviews

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
February 8, 2008
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Director John Polson mutes the conservative sexual politics of the original film, focusing on the lightweight, efficient suspense story. Full Review

Sheila Norman-Culp
February 8, 2008
Sheila Norman-Culp, Associated Press

It would be so easy for an actress to overplay this role, to morph into high camp, but Christensen stays icy cool. Full Review

Wesley Morris
September 15, 2002
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

It's like going to a house party and watching the host defend himself against a frothing ex-girlfriend. You don't want to call the cops. You want to call Domino's. Full Review

Liam Lacey
September 13, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Not really a thriller so much as a movie for teens to laugh, groan and hiss at. Full Review

John Anderson
September 11, 2002
John Anderson, Newsday

Departs from being a psychological thriller and becomes a sort of bloodless slasher film. Full Review

Owen Gleiberman
September 11, 2002
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Proof that a thriller can be sleekly shot, expertly cast, paced with crisp professionalism... and still be a letdown if its twists and turns hold no more surprise than yesterday's weather report. Full Review

Laura Sinagra
September 10, 2002
Laura Sinagra, Village Voice

Nothing plot-wise is worth e-mailing home about. Full Review

Scott Foundas
September 9, 2002
Scott Foundas, Variety

A chiller resolutely without chills. Full Review

Peter Travers
September 6, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

It would be great to see this turd squashed under a truck, preferably a semi.

Charles Taylor
September 6, 2002
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

The first Fatal Attraction was vile enough. Do we really need the Tiger Beat version? Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Swimfan Trivia

  • What was the number in Madison's screen name in the movie Swimfan? Swimfan___  Answer »
  • Why did Ben get disqualified at the swim meet in the movie Swimfan?  Answer »
  • Name that Actress who starred in; "Swimfan", "Undertow", "The Battle of Shaker Heights", and a tv show called Roswell?  Answer »
  • What Movie starred Erika Christensen,Shiri Appleby and Jesse Bradford ?  Answer »
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