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Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell, Theresa Russell, Denise Richards ... see more see more... , Daphne Rubin-Vega , Robert Wagner , Bill Murray , Carrie Snodgress , Cory Pendergast , Marc Macaulay , Toi Svane , Jeff Perry

This thriller takes place in Blue Bay, Florida, where social-climbing guidance counselor Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) is indifferent to teen-socialite Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards), who retaliates by... read more read more... accusing him of rape, an accusation that leads to his suspension by the school and a rejection from the country club. He can't afford a big attorney, so he hires shrewd Ken Bowden (Bill Murray), while Kelly's mom, Sandra Van Ryan (Theresa Russell), Sam's former lover, gets a platoon of top lawyers. Trailer-trash Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) backs up Kelly's claim and additional plot twists and turns develop. The seldom-seen Carrie Snodgrass (Diary of a Mad Housewife) has a supporting role in this film. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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53% liked it

88,157 ratings

Critics

64% liked it

58 critics

R, 1 hr. 48 min.

Directed by: John McNaughton

Release Date: March 20, 1998

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DVD Release Date: March 6, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (3,421)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    September 29, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Wild Things is of course a film that people have heard much about because of the kissing scene between Denise Richard and Neve Campbell. That was obviously one of the high points of the film, but what makes the film good is the elaborate plot twists that the film offers to the un... read moresuspecting viewer. Wild Things is thrilling film with a surprising well executed story. The film has its flaws, but for the most part, it succeeds at being very entertaining. The cast are surprisingly good here, and Denise Richard actually delivers a pretty good performance. Wild Things is an intricate film that tends to deceive, and what you see is never what you actually think it is. The plot twists and turns and it keeps you guessing till the end, and that's what makes the film good. But the thing I didn't really like about the film, is that it felt almost teen oriented and if they would've focused more on a story that adults would enjoy thoroughly, it would've been much better. The downside was that the film felt slightly like a 90210 episode. Not much, but a bit, luckily there's enough good things going on on-screen that makes up for the bad points, and even with the slight teen feel, Wild Things works well enough to be an effective thriller. Obviously the biggest thing that's going for Wild Things is the make out scene with Neve Campbell and Denise Richard, but it's not that spectacular actually. For me though, Wild Things biggest strength is the unfolding plot twists, and without them, the film would suck. Pretty good film considering the somewhat lacking elements which I pointed out earlier in this review.
  • ceWEBrity
    December 5, 2010
    ceWEBrity
    It hurts my brain to think that someone actually wrote this movie. Wild Things' journey from Point A to Point B is so convoluted and messy, it's almost as if some sad screenwriter drew a beginning and ending out of a hat and resolved to connect them with a million other plot poin... read morets from that same hat in between. The movie is like a hyperactive toddler with a story to tell; you might get the whole story eventually and it'll probably be sort of funny, but it's punctuated in really bizarre places and you eventually start to get fed up and just want to hear the ending. Honestly, by the time I got to the end of this movie, I looked back and thought "what the fuck" to myself and sort of left it on the ground. I mean, there are plot twists DURING AND AFTER THE CREDITS. It's like, come on guys, can we please just call it a night? Wild Things' sheer audacity makes it memorable, at the very least, but more tiring than anything.

    That said, though, it's really rather fun in a trashy way. I think the casting absolutely hamstrings it, as Denise Richards and Matt Dillon can really only take you to predictable places, the former as a fake-naive sexpot and the latter as a gruff authoritative sexpot (and Neve Campbell, who I generally like, is pretty awful here). It looks shitty in a way that suggests there wasn't much more on the DP's mind than cramming as much as Denise Richards' naked, writhing body on the screen as often as possible. But hey, if a 27-year-old with fake breasts pretending to be a high schooler does it for you, then by all means. Kevin Bacon's pretty fun, though of course it takes about five thousand plot twists for him to get there. Basically every character in this movie is involved in at least twenty or thirty plot twists so that's not really a spoiler. Honestly, I'm really surprised that there wasn't some ultimate fuck-off "it was all Denise Richards' schizophrenic delusion" plot twist at the end. Thank goodness for small blessings, I suppose.
  • stormyweather980
    October 16, 2009
    stormyweather980
    Very overrated. Yes, even the girl kiss scene.
  • SirPant
    September 28, 2009
    SirPant
    Was overhyped at the time but it had a good cast and kept me entertained. I liked the naughty bits ;o)
  • LitelBluHli
    September 8, 2009
    LitelBluHli
    For the longest I had no idea what this movie was about. I seriously thought it was just some huge sex movie, since all I ever heard about was the scene with Neve Campbell and Denise Richards making out. It turns out to be much more than that; there's actually a storyline! I thou... read moreght it was clever and was quite happy with the ending. =)

    Denise Richards play a rich girl, Kelly. Neve Campbell is Susie or Suzy, however it's spelled, a girl who lives in the trailer park. They both acuse, (Matt Dillon) Sam Lombardo, guidance counsler of rape. Kevin Bacon plays a cop who thinks the girls are lying and tries to figure out why. I'd recommend this if you were a skeptic like me.
  • matertenebraum
    July 21, 2009
    matertenebraum
    Wild Things is a fantastic example of what can be achieved by not worrying about substance and having a film play for straight entertainment value. Here we have a film that takes elements such as beautiful stars, beautiful locations and a bucket load of plot twists and blends it ... read moreall into a highly enjoyable film experience. Of course, Wild Things doesn't always come across very realistically and, at times even, it's downright ridiculous; but it's done in such a way that it doesn't matter, and because of that we have a film that can do what it wants. The film is helmed by John McNaughton, who had his first success with the cult horror flick Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. It has to be said that the scene setting and way that the plot moves is somewhat ham-fisted, as sometimes it's painfully obvious that certain sections of the film exist only to give it another selling point; the argument that starts out between Denise Richards and Neve Campbell beside a swimming pool being a case in point. However, McNaughton makes good of these selling points, and for every three way sex scene and absurd plot twist, the film gains an extra point for trashy entertainment value.

    It's not immediately obvious what Wild Things is going to be about, as the first twenty minutes serve only in setting the scene and from that base, the film could easily turn into any teenage school flick. However, it turns out that this time is well used; as by nulling the audience into a false sense of security, the film is able to make sure that every twist comes as a surprise. The film benefits from a great big name cast, which is anchored by Matt Dillon; who gives one of his best performances. Dillon clearly enjoys himself, and his persona is able to suit both the sleazy and upstanding nature of his character. Kevin Bacon sleepwalks and isn't really able to show his true talent, and similarly Neve Campbell looks out of place (sexy with it) in her role as a teenage junkie. However, Denise Richards rounds the piece of nicely with a charged performance and the ensemble is nicely topped off by the likes of Bill Murray, Theresa Russell and Robert Wagner. The settings that the movie takes place in look great, and ensure that there's more eye candy than just the female leads. Director McNaughton presents a fabulously mysterious atmosphere which obviously bodes well with the plot and, on the whole, if you want a couple of hours of entertainment; you can do a lot, lot worse than this twisty little flick.
  • sanjurosamurai
    April 3, 2009
    sanjurosamurai
    a little too devious for my taste, and obviously not a good movie by most standards, but i did think it was a bit more clever than its broadly given credit for being. while this might have been a bad move for murray in some regards, he lent some needed charisma to this film that... read more actually made it more enjoyable. decent.
  • FilmFanatik
    September 23, 2008
    FilmFanatik
    Not really a great film, the focus on Campbell & Richards is it's primary strength.
  • SilentWarProductions2009
    March 2, 2008
    SilentWarProductions2009
    Directed by: John McNaughton.
    Starring: Matt Dillon, Denise Richards, Neve Campbell, Kevin Bacon, Bill Murray.

    <<"Listen, I'm gunna be here a while kid, why don't you go up to the highway and catch the bus...and hey Jimmy, people ain't always what ... read morethey appear to be...don't forget that.">>

    The story focuses on a high school counselor, a man of high respect and a great track record. When he is accused of rape by a rich student who is in love with him, things start to crash around him and it is only made worse when a trailer trash girl raises the same allegations. The cops believe that they have framed him and what follows is a twisted story of betrayal, sex and murder.

    Its countlessly flawed and I feel that the writers know that, but they do what they can and succeed. Twists come by the minute and successfully surprise, even though they are followed by silly reasons why. What the film aims for, it does well.
    One part softcore porn and one part seductive thriller, with some noir undertones in its themes...these things are worked to there advantage and although competently directed, its a little disappointing to not see more of a noir feel in the style.

    The acting is B grade as expected and its fun to see the bad acting shine. Denise Richards fits in well with her hammy delivery, but she does manage to maintain quite a sexy persona. Neve Campbell is about the same but keeps her characters devilish charm at a high which works well into the story. The list continues and they are all equally bad in there delivery, but its great to see Bill Murray play so well off his interesting character.

    Many have said it and I will say it again...Wild Things is a guilty pleasure. Flawed in many ways, but is a high quality B-grade thriller by keeping the twists coming, the catfights at a high and keeping the suspense flowing all the way through. Naturally its 'so bad, its good', but its also better in some ways.
  • DrZeek
    February 21, 2008
    DrZeek
    District Attorney Bryce Hunter: You were supposed to spy on them. Not to film some porn flick!

    This movie is amazing. It has a plot containing twist after twist, with characters Hitchcock would be proud of. It is also bordering on the level of soft core porn. Then you can throw... read more in some soap opera drama as well as some over the top situations and other hilarity.

    Taking place in Southern Florida, Matt Dillon is a hunky high school counselor that all the kids like. Denise Richards and Neve Campbell are two students, one a bitchy rich girl, the other a trouble making trailer trash girl. Kevin Bacon is also here as a cop. Robert Wagner and Theresa Russell also show up to round out the cast as well.

    Problems arise as these two students accuse Dillon's character of rape. It is at that point that Bill Murray enters the scene as a lawyer, who is so funny at everything he does, that his twenty minute cameo is more than welcome.

    As the plot moves on, various things occur that show how things are definetely not the way they seem. And that's basically all there is to say without ruining everything.

    Suffice it to say, by the end, everything is quite satisfying, but make sure to stay through the credits, because it contains more explanations to the twists that occur.

    What would seem a highlight for the film, is the infamous threesome scene, and while it is pretty damn hot, the movie is entertaining in all regards. Kevin Dillon and Matt Dillon in particular, are loving the roles they have, and make them work.

    The soundtrack of this movie is perfect as well. Capturing the feel of the setting and playing into the themes of the film.

    It's trashy entertainment at its best.

    Kelly Van Ryan: [She and Nicole are going to wash Sam's car] So, where's your hose, Mr. Lombardo?

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Critic Reviews

Stephen Hunter
February 11, 2008
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

The movie is as tawdry as someone else's lingerie, yet not without a certain prurient watchability. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 11, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

What I'm supposed to find 'satisfying' is predicated on the idea that almost everyone in the world is trash. Full Review

Desson Thomson
February 11, 2008
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

They're not calling it Wild Things for nothing. Full Review

Leonard Klady
February 11, 2008
Leonard Klady, Variety

Sly, torrid and original, pic is certain to shake up an otherwise complacent marketplace. Full Review

Tom Nawrocki
August 14, 2007
Tom Nawrocki, Rolling Stone

[It's got] Neve Campbell and Denise Richards making out, all the plot twists and double-crossing of a James Ellroy novel, Neve Campbell and Denise Richards having a catfight in a swimming pool and Bil...

Rick Groen
April 25, 2003
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Call it gratuitous annoyance. Full Review

Jack Mathews
February 14, 2001
Jack Mathews, Los Angeles Times

On its own terms, it works; that is, each ending is well thought-out and vaguely logical. Full Review

Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Director John McNaughton has some sly fun with the noir genre in this sex-drenched tale of two young vixens (Neve Campbell and Denise Richards) who accuse their high school guidance counselor (Matt Di... Full Review

Michelle Goldberg
January 1, 2000
Michelle Goldberg, Salon.com

Sure it's an exploitation movie, but this twisted Technicolor orgy is also a thriller in the original sense of that word. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It's like a three-way collision between a softcore sex film, a soap opera and a B-grade noir. I liked it. Full Review

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Wild Things Trivia

  • She was a Wild girl in Wild Things, a bond girl, and was and is Drop Dead Gorgeous.  Answer »
  • Who has appeared in: Ghostbusters, Lost In Translation, Wild Things and Groundhog Day?  Answer »
  • I starred in the first Friday the 13th, fell in love with the preacher's daughter in Footloose, and showed frontal nudity in Wild Things. Who am I?  Answer »
  • I was Sidney in Scream, kissed Denise Richards in Wild Things, and dating John Cusack in real life. Who am I?  Answer »
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