To Die For (1995)

Last updated:
July 25, 2025

Gus Van Sant’s To Die For (1995) is a sharp, darkly comic satire on fame, ambition, and media obsession. Written by Buck Henry and based on Joyce Maynard’s novel (itself inspired by a true story), the film stars Nicole Kidman in a career-defining role. With its unique narrative style and chilling central performance, it remains a standout in 1990s cinema.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening: Meet Suzanne Stone

Suzanne Stone (Nicole Kidman) is an aspiring television personality in the quiet town of Little Hope, New Hampshire. She’s glamorous, driven, and obsessively ambitious. From the moment we meet her, it’s clear she’s determined to become a star — no matter the cost.

She marries Larry Maretto (Matt Dillon), a kind-hearted and laid-back Italian-American man whose family runs a restaurant. But Suzanne quickly grows bored with small-town life and her modest husband. Her real passion lies in becoming a famous broadcaster.

Climbing the Media Ladder

Suzanne lands a job as a weather reporter at a local cable access channel. Although the job is modest, she treats it with absolute seriousness, modeling herself after network stars and delivering the weather with theatrical flair.

In her pursuit of fame, Suzanne begins working on a self-produced documentary about local high school students. She recruits three troubled teens: Jimmy (Joaquin Phoenix), a shy and easily manipulated boy with a crush on her; Russell (Casey Affleck), and Lydia (Alison Folland), an awkward and lonely girl who idolizes her.

The Plan to Get Rid of Larry

As Suzanne becomes more entangled with the teens, she starts to see Larry as a barrier to her career. Larry wants to settle down, have kids, and put Suzanne’s TV dreams on the backburner — something she will not tolerate.

Through flirtation and manipulation, Suzanne seduces Jimmy and convinces him that Larry is abusive and holding her back. She begins planting the idea of murder in Jimmy’s mind, portraying it as the only way they can be together and free.

The Murder

Jimmy, besotted and naïve, agrees to the plan. On a stormy night, with Russell as a lookout, he enters the Maretto home and shoots Larry dead. Suzanne, of course, is away at a hotel, carefully crafting her alibi. The next morning, she plays the grieving widow on TV — with perfect camera-ready poise.

However, cracks begin to show. The police become suspicious, especially Detective Shapiro, who notices inconsistencies in Suzanne’s statements and behavior. Lydia, heartbroken after realizing Suzanne manipulated them all, begins cooperating with the police.

Investigation and Arrest

As the media swarms around the case, Suzanne’s fame ironically grows. She’s on every front page, and she relishes the attention. But soon, her carefully constructed world begins to collapse. Jimmy is arrested and confesses everything, implicating Suzanne as the mastermind.

Although she is arrested, Suzanne is lawyered up by Larry’s wealthy family and manages to avoid conviction. Jimmy and Russell are convicted, while Suzanne walks free — legally, but now the subject of public hatred and intense media scrutiny.

Movie Ending

The film ends with a chilling, ironic twist. Larry’s sister Janice (Illeana Douglas), devastated by her brother’s murder and enraged by Suzanne’s escape from justice, arranges for a hitman (implied to be hired by her mob-connected family) to kill Suzanne. In the final scene, Suzanne is lured onto a frozen lake by a man pretending to offer her a TV deal.

We see her later — not alive, but under the ice, spinning in slow motion in her pink coat, frozen forever.

In a final voice-over, Janice, who now works as a figure skating instructor, delivers the last blow: “What kind of moron wants to be on TV?” It’s a biting end that drives home the film’s cynicism about fame, ambition, and the American media machine.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, To Die For does not have a post-credits scene. The movie ends definitively with Suzanne’s death and Janice’s voice-over, delivering a haunting and ironic closure.

Type of Movie

To Die For is a dark comedy and satirical crime drama. It combines true crime elements with mockumentary-style storytelling and biting satire, often blurring the line between black humor and psychological thriller.

Cast

Nicole Kidman as Suzanne Stone
Matt Dillon as Larry Maretto
Joaquin Phoenix as Jimmy Emmett
Casey Affleck as Russell Hines
Alison Folland as Lydia Mertz
Illeana Douglas as Janice Maretto
Dan Hedaya as Joe Maretto
Wayne Knight as Ed Grant

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Danny Elfman, known for his quirky and moody compositions. The music in To Die For shifts between playful and unsettling, perfectly matching the film’s tone — light on the surface but sinister underneath.

The soundtrack also includes songs like:

“Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Season of the Witch” – Donovan

Filming Locations

British Columbia, Canada was used to portray New Hampshire.
Interior scenes were filmed in and around Vancouver, with suburban neighborhoods standing in for Little Hope.

The icy lake where Suzanne dies is real — and adds haunting realism to the final shot. The chilly visuals underscore the cold-hearted ambition of the main character.

Awards and Nominations

Golden Globe Award: Nicole Kidman won Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.
BAFTA Nomination: Best Actress (Nicole Kidman)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Actress (Nicole Kidman)
Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Screenplay (Buck Henry)

The film was critically acclaimed, especially for Kidman’s performance, which is often cited as one of her best.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Nicole Kidman reportedly stayed in character on set, even when cameras weren’t rolling.
Joaquin Phoenix was so convincing as the disturbed teenager that many crew members were uncomfortable watching him during intense scenes.
Gus Van Sant encouraged improvisation during the “documentary” interviews to give the film a more natural, unsettling tone.
Joyce Maynard, the author of the source novel, briefly appears in the film.

Inspirations and References

Based on the novel To Die For by Joyce Maynard, which was loosely inspired by the Pamela Smart case, a real-life story of a media-obsessed woman who conspired to have her husband killed.
The film critiques American media culture, especially the obsession with fame and the blurred line between news and entertainment.
It also references true crime tropes and tabloid-style coverage with a satirical edge.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no widely known alternate endings. However, some deleted scenes explored Suzanne’s deeper backstory and more of Larry’s family dynamic. These were cut for pacing and to maintain focus on Suzanne’s psychological descent.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The novel To Die For takes a more journalistic approach, offering deeper psychological insights into the characters. The film shifts the tone toward satire and dark comedy. Notable differences include:

Suzanne’s backstory and inner thoughts are more fleshed out in the book.
The book paints a slightly more sympathetic (though still critical) picture of the teenagers involved.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Suzanne coaching the teens in her documentary, clearly manipulating them.
The murder scene, shown through re-enactments and interviews.
Suzanne twirling on the ice in the final haunting moment.
Suzanne’s over-the-top weather broadcasts, full of false charm.

Iconic Quotes

“You’re not anybody in America unless you’re on TV.”
“I believe in the American Dream. I believe in the power of the press.”
“What kind of moron wants to be on TV?” – Janice, in the final line.

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Suzanne’s obsession with being on camera is mirrored in her constant use of mirrors — almost every scene features her reflection.
Lydia’s appearance becomes more like Suzanne’s as the film progresses, showing her influence.
The fake documentary interviews mimic the tone of Dateline NBC and other true crime media, subtly criticizing their glamorization of murder cases.

Trivia

Nicole Kidman prepared for the role by studying newscasters and TV presenters.
The movie was shot in just under 40 days.
Gus Van Sant originally wanted Meg Ryan for the role of Suzanne, but Kidman aggressively pursued the part and won over the director.
This film helped launch Joaquin Phoenix’s adult acting career.

Why Watch?

Watch To Die For for:

A razor-sharp performance by Nicole Kidman — seductive, terrifying, and hilarious.
Satire that feels eerily ahead of its time in criticizing reality TV culture.
Smart writing and stylish direction that makes a murder plot disturbingly funny.
A chilling reflection on how fame, media, and manipulation intersect in modern society.

Director’s Other Movies

Good Will Hunting (1997)
My Own Private Idaho (1991)
Milk (2008)
Elephant (2003)
Drugstore Cowboy (1989)

To Die For (1995)