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Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck, Illeana Douglas ... see more see more... , Alison Folland , Conrad Coates , Eve Crawford , Kyra Harper , Dan Hedaya , Tim Hopper , Wayne Knight , Nicholas Pasco , Gerry Quigley , George Segal , Kurtwood Smith , Holland Taylor , Susan Traylor , Maria Tucci , Philip Williams , David Cronenberg , Buck Henry , Simon Richards , Ian Heath , Tom Quinn , Michael Rispoli , Ron Gabriel , Joaguin Phoenix , Chris Phillips , Rain Phoenix

The price of fame is murder -- or at least it is in the mind of one woman in New Hampshire. Suzanne Stone (Nicole Kidman) has spent most of her life wanting to be famous; she's attractive, speaks well... read more read more..., and imagines herself to be intelligent ("imagines" is the key word here), so she has set her sights on becoming a TV anchorwoman. However, opportunities for female broadcasters are hard to come by in Little Hope, New Hampshire, and she's convinced that her husband, the once handsome but now flabby restaurant manager Larry Maretto (Matt Dillon), is just getting in her way. Suzanne gets herself a spot hosting a weather report on a local public access station, and is preparing a documentary called "Teens Speak Out," which puts her in touch with a trio of high school students -- Jimmy (Joaquin Phoenix), Russell (Casey Affleck), and Lydia (Alison Folland) -- who are even more desperate for attention than she is. When Suzanne hatches a plot to get Larry out of her life once and for all, she uses Jimmy, who has developed a serious crush on her, to do her dirty work, but Larry's sister Janice (Illeana Douglas), who has long believed there was something fishy about Suzanne, eventually begins to realize what happened to her brother. Nicole Kidman won a Golden Globe award for her work in this film, which represented something of a comeback for director Gus Van Sant after the commercial and critical disaster of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Screenwriter Buck Henry plays a small role as a high school teacher. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

32,986 ratings

Critics

87% liked it

54 critics

R, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Gus Van Sant

Release Date: September 29, 1995

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DVD Release Date: August 7, 2001

Stats: 1,089 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,089)

  • stevenecarrier
    January 29, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    "To Die For" is one of my favorite Gus Van Sant films. It's first and foremost a scathing television satire which is right up there with "Network." It's darkly hysterical and Van Sant injects an incredible energy into an already compelling story. But, "To Die For" wouldn't be wha... read moret it is without the incredible, career best performance by Nicole Kidman. Yes, this is better than the role that won her the Oscar for "The Hours." I can't even put to words how perfect and daring she is here, it needs to be seen to be believed. I think "To Die For" is one of the great dark comedies of the 1990s and a great showcase for Kidman's talents and Van Sant at his most playful. (The only thing keeping it from total greatness is the ending is a small letdown, but that might be because the film actually ends ha)
  • romy861
    July 30, 2010
    romy861
    Just rewatched this after a few years of having not seen it, and still think it is a fantastic film. I find I do have *some* sympathy for Suzanne Stone. Okay, she's manipulative and does something inexcusable, but I could literally feel her frustration at being stuck in a small ... read moretown, in a family that didn't accept or understand her, and a husband who, though sweet, was not truly compatible. So she wanted bigger things for her life than a family in suburbia, is that such a crime really?!
    Obviously what she goes on to do is pretty bad, and surely divorce would have been the logical step, but then we wouldn't have much of a movie, and this really is a dark, funny little film. Nicole Kidman is perfect as Suzanne and Joaquin Phoenix and Alison Folland just right as Lydia and Jimmy.
    Great black comedy.
  • Deano78
    January 13, 2010
    Deano78
    A very dark comedy, not quite as good as I expected after hearing a lot of hype. There is nothing that original or a big twist as such. I still enjoyed it though as a Nicole Kidman fan. Worth checking out if you haven't seen it.
  • ythelastman89
    January 6, 2010
    ythelastman89
    I never really thought this was a particularly good or bad film. It's a very bland attempt from Gus Van Sant and you can tell he didn't put a whole lot of effort into making it look as good as his other work. It's probably his most forgettable film in that it holds little signifi... read morecance. It has its moments, but beyond that it isn't much.
  • SirPant
    October 1, 2009
    SirPant
    Its not a bad film but it was made in 1995 and already seems dated. I'm not sure why its reached cult status but, I've seen worse. Great supporting cast.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    April 24, 2009
    FiLmCrAzY
    Its not great really its quite a dark but dreadful film but if you end up watching it you'll probably watch it till the end
  • mwilliams078
    August 3, 2008
    mwilliams078
    Nicole Kidman is brilliant in this film. Kidman plays a local newscaster whom get's intrigued by a male high school student after doing an piece there...her husband (Matt Dillon) is a hard worker....what someone will do for love..
  • cosmo313
    July 9, 2008
    cosmo313
    This movie features what is by far the best performance that Nicole has given in her career. She is brilliant as the icy, determined, manipulative, intimidating, and sexy woman who will do anhything to be famous. She's not likable, but there is some humor with her character, albe... read moreit very dark. The rest of the cast is also very awesome, especially a young Joaquin Phoenix, and a very snide Illeana Douglas. The script is very biting and witty, and satirical to the max. This film is extremely dark, yet extremely humorous at the same time. The subject matter is at times very uncomfortable, but there are still laughs...just very uncomfortable ones. As an added plus, the soundtrack is good, Van Sant's direction is well done, and David Cronenberg has a nice cameo. One of the best films of the 90's.
  • superclerk25
    April 25, 2008
    superclerk25
    An excellent flick that plays with the real story of a woman who seduces a teen in order to get him to kill her wife. Kidman is excellent in the movie and really plays the crazy woman very well.
  • ceWEBrity
    November 30, 2007
    ceWEBrity
    A pretty average black comedy/satire that is aided tremendously by a fantastic performance by Nicole Kidman. This is seriously some of the best comedic work she's ever done - this Suzanne Stone character sucks you right in without an ounce of effort.

    Her acting is a fantastic of... read morefering, sadly wasted in a pretty forgettable film.

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman
February 12, 2008
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

As Jimmy, the teen sap who falls hard for Suzanne, Joaquin Phoenix is dead-eyed yet touchingly vulnerable -- a mush-mouthed angel. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 12, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

If, like me, you find things to admire in all of Gus Van Sant's early films, you may be especially gratified by what he's done with a satirical anti-TV script by Buck Henry. Full Review

David Ansen
February 12, 2008
David Ansen, Newsweek

A smart and wicked delight Full Review

February 12, 2008
CNN.com

It's highly recommended. Full Review

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

An irresistible black comedy and a wicked delight. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 18, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

To Die For could have been a great film. It's not, but it shows what Nicole Kidman can do. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Although Van Sant makes wicked sport of television, he doesn't underestimate its power to blind us to its faults and bring us to our knees.

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The delicately featured Phoenix (yes, River's brother) has an extraordinary, chic-oddball presence. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

To Die For endows Nicole Kidman with her career role to date, and one that only an actress with her porcelain features could even attempt.

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Though it may seem less individualistic, less personal than Van Sant's past work, you can feel his sensibility and his talent in every frame. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Lydia Mertz: [about Jimmy] He says that he needs to see you and that he's dying of love.
    • Suzanne Stone Maretto: [to Lydia about Russell and Jimmy] It's their word against mine. Who are they? Bunch of 16-year-old losers who grew up in trailers whose parents sit around drinking and screwing their cousins! [laughs] I'm a professional person, for Christ's sake. I come from a good home. Who do you think a jury would believe?
    • Suzanne Stone Maretto: I think if you wanted a babysitter, you should marry Mary Poppins
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To Die For Trivia

  • Which actor was in Parenthood, 8mm, The Village & To Die For?  Answer »
  • finish this quote: "She's safe, just like I ______. And she's set to marry Norrington, just like she ______. And you get to die for her, just like you ______. So we're all men of our word, really. Except for Elizabeth, who is, in fact, a woman."  Answer »
  • In what movie is this quote: "Don't worry, she's safe, just as I promised. She's all set to marry Norrington, just as she promised. And you get to die for her, just as you promised. So, we're all really men of our word."   Answer »
  • which celebrity acted in these movies... - My life - Moulin Rouge - To die for - Practical magic  Answer »
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