Fatal Attraction (1987)

Adrian Lyne’s Fatal Attraction is one of the most iconic psychological thrillers of the 1980s, blending suspense, obsession, and domestic drama. The movie pushed boundaries when it was released, sparking cultural debates about infidelity, gender roles, and the consequences of desire. Below, let’s dig into every important aspect of the film.

Detailed Summary

The Affair Begins

Dan Gallagher (Michael Douglas), a successful Manhattan lawyer, is happily married to Beth (Anne Archer). While his wife and daughter are away for a weekend, he meets Alex Forrest (Glenn Close), an editor he encounters at a party. What begins as a casual flirtation quickly escalates into a two-night affair.

Alex Refuses to Let Go

Dan assumes the fling is over, but Alex has other ideas. She calls him incessantly, shows up at his workplace, and even harms herself in front of him to prevent abandonment. It’s clear Alex is not just lonely—she’s unstable, and her obsession is only growing stronger.

Escalation into Obsession

When Dan tries to end things, Alex retaliates. The most shocking moment comes when she kills the Gallagher family’s pet rabbit, boiling it on the stove—a horrifying symbol of her intrusion into the family’s life. The tension escalates further when she kidnaps Dan’s daughter Ellen from school, leaving Beth frantic and terrified.

The Climactic Confrontation

Beth is involved in a car accident caused by Alex’s harassment, leaving her hospitalized. Finally pushed to the brink, Dan confronts Alex violently in her apartment. But Alex survives and later invades the Gallagher home with a knife, leading to one of the most famous final showdowns in thriller history.

Movie Ending

The final act of Fatal Attraction is explosive. After Beth recovers, Alex breaks into the Gallagher home while Beth is alone in the bathroom. Alex attempts to stab Beth to death, but Dan arrives in time, and a violent struggle breaks out. Dan overpowers Alex, submerging her in the bathtub. She appears to be dead—until she suddenly resurfaces, lunging at him with a knife in one last terrifying moment. Beth shoots Alex, finally killing her, and the family is left shaken but alive.

The ending is deliberately brutal, serving as both catharsis and punishment for Dan’s infidelity. Interestingly, the original ending (never used in theaters) was different—Alex killed herself and framed Dan for murder. Test audiences, however, demanded a more definitive and violent conclusion, leading to the now-iconic bathroom sequence.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Fatal Attraction does not include any post-credits scenes. The story concludes definitively with Alex’s death and the family’s emotional relief.

Type of Movie

This film is a psychological thriller with elements of domestic drama and horror. It leans on suspense and tension rather than traditional slasher tropes, creating dread through obsession and mental instability.

Cast

• Michael Douglas as Dan Gallagher
• Glenn Close as Alex Forrest
• Anne Archer as Beth Gallagher
• Ellen Hamilton Latzen as Ellen Gallagher

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Maurice Jarre, a master of atmospheric film music. His music subtly underlines the tension, alternating between romance and menace to reflect Alex’s shifting moods and Dan’s growing paranoia.

Filming Locations

• New York City – Much of the film was shot on location, grounding the story in the realism of upper-middle-class Manhattan life.
• Westchester County, New York – The Gallagher family home was filmed here, symbolizing stability and domestic security, later violated by Alex’s intrusion.

The urban/rural contrast enhances the film’s themes: the chaos of temptation versus the supposed safety of suburban life.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award Nominations (6): Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress (Glenn Close), Best Supporting Actress (Anne Archer), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing.
• Golden Globe Nominations: Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, Anne Archer, and Best Picture.
  Though it didn’t win Oscars, the film became a cultural phenomenon.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Glenn Close initially resisted playing Alex, worrying about the stigma of portraying a villain. She later said it was one of her most rewarding roles.
• The infamous bunny-boiling scene was a late addition and became the film’s most talked-about moment.
• The alternate ending (Alex’s suicide) was scrapped after test audiences demanded a more visceral conclusion.
• Michael Douglas was criticized for making Dan both sympathetic and despicable, but this duality is part of why the film resonates.

Inspirations and References

The movie was adapted from a short film titled Diversion by James Dearden, which was expanded into a full-length feature. Its success also drew comparisons to real-life cases of obsessive relationships and “fatal attractions,” sparking social commentary about infidelity and responsibility.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

The original ending had Alex slitting her throat with Dan’s knife to frame him for her murder. This was filmed but replaced due to negative test screenings. The alternate ending is available on some home releases and is fascinating to compare, as it shifts the moral weight more heavily onto Dan.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie was later novelized, but the book followed the theatrical ending rather than the original scripted suicide ending. The key difference lies in tone: the book dives deeper into Alex’s psychological state, while the film emphasizes suspense and shock.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The seductive elevator encounter that sparks the affair.
• Alex cutting her wrists to manipulate Dan.
• The bunny boiling scene—arguably one of the most shocking in cinematic history.
• The final bathroom fight sequence.

Iconic Quotes

• Alex: “I’m not going to be ignored, Dan.”
• Dan: “It was just a little fling!”
• Beth: “You bastard!” (after learning of the affair).

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Alex’s apartment is designed with dark, shadowy lighting to emphasize her mental instability compared to the warm, natural light of Beth’s home.
• The rabbit scene is foreshadowed when Alex talks about “family values” during earlier conversations.
• Alex is often dressed in white in early scenes (suggesting innocence) and shifts to darker tones as her obsession grows.

Trivia

• Glenn Close kept Alex’s knife as a memento.
• The term “bunny boiler” entered pop culture after the film, used to describe obsessive ex-lovers.
• Michael Douglas starred in several other “erotic thrillers” afterward, such as Basic Instinct (1992).
• Adrian Lyne was known for exploring sexual tension in films like 9½ Weeks and Unfaithful.

Why Watch?

Fatal Attraction is essential viewing for anyone interested in psychological thrillers. It’s more than a story of infidelity—it’s about consequences, obsession, and the fragility of domestic happiness. It remains culturally relevant, exploring themes of desire, fear, and morality.

Director’s Other Movies

• 9½ Weeks (1986)
• Indecent Proposal (1993)
• Unfaithful (2002)
• Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
• Flashdance (1983)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Basic Instinct (1992)
• Unfaithful (2002)
• The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)
• Single White Female (1992)
• Gone Girl (2014)