Wild Things

1998

Wild Things

Critics Consensus

Wild Things is a delightfully salacious, flesh-exposed romp that also requires a high degree of love for trash cinema.

63%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 59

53%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 92,968
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Wild Things Photos

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Movie Info

Think of it as endless endings. John McNaughton's playful erotic thriller about a larcenous school teacher, a pair of greedy coeds, and the cop on their trail has as many twists as there are characters, but it's all in good fun.
  • Rating:
    R (For strong sexuality, nudity, language and some violence)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    John McNaughton
  • Written By:
    Stephen Peters
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

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Cast

Matt Dillon
as Sam Lombardo
Denise Richards
as Kelly Van Ryan
Neve Campbell
as Suzie Toller
Kevin Bacon
as Ray Duquette
Theresa Russell
as Sandra Van Ryan
Daphne Rubin-Vega
as Gloria Perez
Robert Wagner
as Tom Baxter
Bill Murray
as Ken Bowden
Carrie Snodgress
as Ruby
Jeff Perry
as Bryce Hunter
Cory Pendergast
as Jimmy Leach
Marc Macaulay
as Walter
Toi Svane
as Nicole
Dennis Neal
as Art Maddox
Diane Adams
as School Secretary
Paulo Benedeti
as Kirk
Eduardo Yanez
as Frankie Condo
Jennifer Bini Taylor
as Barbara Baxter
Victoria Bass
as Judge
Ted Bartsch
as Bailiff
Leonor Anthony
as Ken's Secretary
Antoni Cornacchione
as Police Chief
Robert Deacon
as Prisoner
Tony Giaimo
as Dave
Manny Suarez
as Georgie
Janet Bushor
as Barmaid
Gina LaMarca
as Hooker
Nancy Duerr
as Reporter No. 1
Margo Peace
as Reporter No. 2
Keith Wilson
as Reporter No. 3
Nelson Oramos
as Policeman No. 1
Michael Dean Walker
as Policeman No. 2
Jesse Muson
as Policeman No. 3
Kimberly Lamaze
as Policewoman No. 1
Rebecca White
as Policewoman No. 2
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News & Interviews for Wild Things

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Critic Reviews for Wild Things

All Critics (59) | Top Critics (19)

  • Wild Things might qualify as passable Southern melodrama, but Stephen Peters' screenplay is too ambitious by far. It changes the nature of the protagonists so often that the viewer is left in puzzled exhaustion.

    Aug 7, 2019 | Full Review…

    Bob Thomas

    Associated Press
    Top Critic

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

    Feb 11, 2008 | Full Review…

    Stephen Hunter

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

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

    Feb 11, 2008 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

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

    Feb 11, 2008

    Leonard Klady

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • [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 Bill Murray as a sleazy neck-brace-wearing lawyer.

    Aug 14, 2007 | Rating: 3/4

    Tom Nawrocki

    Rolling Stone
    Top Critic

  • This is one of those puzzle movies that's quite intriguing while it's feigning superficiality -- and truly funny when Bill Murray is around -- but really dumb once it thinks it's being smart.

    Jan 26, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (59)

Audience Reviews for Wild Things

  • Oct 30, 2016
    Wild Things is simply amazing. Inside the raunchy surface, there is a really complex story with lots of twists within. I don't think I've seen a film with more twists than Wild Things. Though the story was not as clever as, say, the Sixth Sense. It was fun and cheeky. The acting was pretty great from everyone, especially loved Richards and Campbell playing bad girls. Normally I don't like a film to be too raunchy, but Wild Things needed that erotic push to make it truly great. No spoilers please!
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Nov 10, 2013
    The scene with Richards and Campbell more than likely gave this film the attention it needed but completely over rated. The film was all over the place.
    Beth M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 16, 2013
    An interesting movie. There is the odd twist in it.
    Red L Super Reviewer
  • Apr 07, 2012
    Sexy, trashy crime story might make you feel icky after watching, but during the screening you might feel like I did titillated and completely enthralled
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
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