Wild Things is a 1998 neo-noir crime thriller directed by John McNaughton. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, and Bill Murray. The story revolves around two high school girls, Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) and Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards), who accuse their guidance counselor, Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon), of rape.
The story takes place in the fictional town of Blue Bay, Florida. Kelly Van Ryan is the daughter of a wealthy family, while Suzie Toller comes from a lower-income family. Kelly accuses Sam of raping her, and Suzie comes forward with a similar accusation. Sam is arrested and put on trial.
As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that the two girls have ulterior motives for accusing Sam. It is revealed that Kelly and Suzie had planned the accusations together in order to get a large settlement from Sam’s insurance company. However, the insurance company refuses to pay the settlement, and Kelly and Suzie’s plan begins to unravel.
As the plot twists and turns, it is revealed that Kelly and Suzie’s plan was not as simple as it seemed. They had enlisted the help of Sam’s private investigator, Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon), to help them execute their plan. Ray had his own motivations for getting involved, as he had a personal vendetta against Sam.
Throughout the movie, the characters engage in a series of double-crosses and plot twists that keep the audience guessing until the very end. The story is full of suspense and intrigue, as each character tries to outmaneuver the others.
In the end, it is revealed that Kelly and Suzie had actually been in a secret romantic relationship and that their accusations against Sam were part of a larger plan to get money and start a new life together. Sam, who had been playing his own game of deception, ultimately emerges victorious and walks away with the money.
Wild Things is a gripping crime thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. With a talented cast, a complex plot, and plenty of twists and turns, it has become a cult classic among fans of the genre.
Cast
The main cast of “Wild Things” (1998) includes:
- Matt Dillon as Sam Lombardo: A high school guidance counselor who becomes the center of a scandal involving rape allegations.
- Denise Richards as Kelly Van Ryan: A wealthy high school student who falsely accuses Sam Lombardo of rape.
- Neve Campbell as Suzie Toller: A troubled student who initially corroborates Kelly’s allegations before revealing that the entire scheme was a plot for extortion.
- Kevin Bacon as Detective Ray Duquette: A police detective investigating the case who becomes entangled in the web of deceit.
- Theresa Russell as Sandra Van Ryan: Kelly’s wealthy mother, who is determined to see Lombardo brought to justice.
- Bill Murray as Kenneth Bowden: A sleazy lawyer who represents Lombardo in court.
- Robert Wagner as Tom Baxter: A prominent local figure who becomes a target of the scheme.
The film also features supporting roles and cameos by other actors. The ensemble cast and their performances were praised by audiences, and the film’s intricate plot and twists kept viewers intrigued throughout.
Production
“Wild Things” was directed by John McNaughton and written by Stephen Peters. It was produced by Mandalay Entertainment and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film’s production took place primarily in South Florida, with the Everglades and coastal areas serving as the backdrop for the story. This setting contributed to the film’s sultry and suspenseful ambiance. The film is known for its provocative themes, steamy scenes, and multiple plot twists, which kept viewers guessing until the end.
Reviews
Upon its release in 1998, “Wild Things” received mixed reviews from critics. While some critics praised the film’s clever and intricate plot, as well as its strong performances from the cast, others criticized its gratuitous sexuality and lack of character development. Despite the mixed reception, the film’s notorious threesome scene and Bill Murray’s portrayal of the sleazy lawyer Kenneth Bowden garnered attention and stood out as memorable moments. Over the years, “Wild Things” has gained cult status among audiences, who appreciate its blend of eroticism and suspense, as well as its shocking twists and turns. Some viewers consider it a guilty pleasure and enjoy its unapologetic approach to exploring themes of seduction, deception, and betrayal. Though it may not have been universally acclaimed, “Wild Things” left a lasting impression on audiences and remains a notable entry in the erotic thriller genre. Its impact is further evidenced by the release of several direct-to-video sequels, although these were not as well-received as the original film.
Where are they now?
Here’s an update on where some of the main cast members of “Wild Things” are now:
- Kevin Bacon: He continues to act and has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including “The Following”, “I Love Dick”, and “City on a Hill”.
- Matt Dillon: He also continues to act and has appeared in movies such as “Crash”, “You, Me and Dupree”, and “The House That Jack Built”.
- Neve Campbell: She has continued to act in films and TV shows, including the “Scream” franchise, “House of Cards”, and “Skyscraper”.
- Denise Richards: She has appeared in a number of films and TV shows, including “Starship Troopers”, “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, and “Twisted”.
- Bill Murray: He has continued to act in movies such as “Lost in Translation”, “Moonrise Kingdom”, and “The Grand Budapest Hotel”.
Fun facts
Here are some fun facts about the movie “Wild Things” (1998):
- The film was directed by John McNaughton, who is best known for his work on the horror film “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer”.
- “Wild Things” stars Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, and Bill Murray.
- The movie was shot on location in Florida, with most of the scenes taking place in and around the town of Blue Bay.
- The film was a box office success, grossing over $65 million worldwide on a budget of $20 million.
- The movie’s tagline, “They’re dying to play with you,” was inspired by an actual ad campaign for a Florida amusement park.
- The movie’s twist ending was kept a secret from the cast until the day of filming in order to ensure their genuine reactions.
- Several scenes in the film, including the infamous threesome scene, had to be edited or cut in order to avoid an NC-17 rating.
- Neve Campbell and Denise Richards had to learn how to swim for their roles in the movie, as many of their scenes take place in or around water.
- The film was followed by two direct-to-video sequels: “Wild Things 2” (2004) and “Wild Things: Diamonds in the Rough” (2005).
- The movie has become a cult classic and is known for its provocative storyline, steamy sex scenes, and unexpected twists and turns.
Box office
“Wild Things” grossed over $65 million worldwide on a budget of $20 million. The movie was released in 1998 and was a commercial success, exceeding its production costs and earning a significant profit. The film’s provocative storyline, steamy sex scenes, and unexpected twists and turns made it a popular choice for moviegoers and helped to boost its box office performance. In addition, the star-studded cast, which included Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, and Bill Murray, helped to draw in audiences and contribute to the movie’s success. Overall, “Wild Things” was a profitable venture for the filmmakers and has since become a beloved cult classic.
