Wild Things (1998)

Last updated:
July 25, 2025

Wild Things (1998), directed by John McNaughton, is a neo-noir erotic thriller that plays like a sleazy pulp novel come to life—but with unexpected intelligence and layers. Known for its tangled plot, steamy scenes, and triple-crosses, it’s one of those cult movies that keeps you guessing until the final frame—and sometimes even after that.

Let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about the film.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

A Teacher, Two Teens, and an Allegation

The movie starts in sunny Blue Bay, Florida, a fictional upscale town where high-school guidance counselor Sam Lombardo (played by Matt Dillon) is accused of rape by wealthy student Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards). Things escalate when another student, the socially disadvantaged Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell), comes forward with a similar accusation.

The stakes couldn’t be higher—Sam is arrested, publicly humiliated, and has his career obliterated. But something feels off. The case is suspiciously media-frenzied and the dynamics among the characters seem unusually charged.

The Courtroom Twist

At the trial, Suzie breaks under questioning and reveals that the accusations were false and orchestrated by Kelly. The case is dismissed, and Sam walks away free—and $8.5 million richer from a civil settlement.

It seems like a justice system victory. But then, the real movie begins.

The Scheme Revealed

Shortly after the trial, the audience is let in on the real game: Sam, Kelly, and Suzie were in on it together. The entire rape accusation was a con, meant to manipulate Kelly’s wealthy mother into paying off Sam. The trio celebrate together—with drinks, swimming, and a notorious three-way.

But as in all good noir, alliances in Wild Things are fragile.

Things Start to Unravel

Tension grows. Suzie is feeling left out, Kelly is getting possessive, and Sam is starting to act untrustworthy. The trio’s unity quickly crumbles. Sam begins to distance himself from the women—and then, one night, Kelly disappears.

Suzie claims she hasn’t seen her, but the police—particularly Detective Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon)—start sniffing around. Soon, all signs point to foul play.

Duquette gets obsessed with the case, tailing Suzie and Sam. The stakes spike further when Kelly’s body is found, and Duquette confronts Sam in a violent scene that ends with Duquette shooting and killing Sam in what is ruled self-defense.

The Final Layer of the Plan

As the movie wraps up, we discover the truth goes even deeper. In a stunning series of post-plot reveals (shown during the credits—more on that later), it’s revealed:

Suzie was playing everyone.
She manipulated Kelly and Sam into the original plan.
She orchestrated Kelly’s death and Sam’s downfall.
She teamed up with none other than Detective Duquette, who faked his own moral outrage and helped Suzie eliminate the others.

In the end, Suzie sails off into the sunset, literally, with all the money. She’s not just the mastermind—she’s the survivor.

Movie Ending

The final act of Wild Things is a layered house of cards falling into place.

After Sam is killed by Detective Duquette, everything seems to have settled. The “bad guy” is dead, the detective is exonerated, and Suzie vanishes from the scene.

However, the end credits begin to roll—and instead of fading to black, the movie shows a series of short scenes that completely recontextualize everything:

Suzie originally approached Sam with the con idea, manipulating both him and Kelly.
She had a long-term plan to turn them on each other.
She lured Sam into trusting Duquette, who turned out to be Suzie’s secret partner.
Duquette kills Sam. Suzie then poisons Duquette.

Yes—Suzie double-crossed everyone. The entire scheme was hers from the start. She ends up with the full $8.5 million payout, sipping cocktails on a yacht. Not bad for a swamp-dwelling girl with a grudge.

This kind of subversive, long-con ending is what made Wild Things so memorable and cult-worthy.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes—and they are essential.

The end credits contain critical scenes that show what really happened and fill in the gaps left by the twisty narrative. Without watching them, you wouldn’t know Suzie’s true role in the story or how brilliantly manipulative she was. So if you’re watching, do not skip the credits.

Type of Movie

Genre: Neo-noir, Erotic Thriller, Crime Drama
Tone: Sexy, dark, twist-heavy, with hints of pulp fiction noir
Rating: R (for strong sexuality, nudity, language, and violence)

Cast

Matt Dillon as Sam Lombardo
Neve Campbell as Suzie Toller
Denise Richards as Kelly Van Ryan
Kevin Bacon as Detective Ray Duquette
Bill Murray as Ken Bowden (Sam’s weaselly but effective lawyer)
Theresa Russell as Sandra Van Ryan (Kelly’s wealthy, manipulative mother)

Film Music and Composer

Composer: George S. Clinton
The soundtrack blends sultry, jazzy noir tones with late-’90s style rhythms to amplify both the sensuality and suspense.

Filming Locations

Florida was the primary filming location, particularly around the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas.
The swamp scenes, beach houses, and tropical settings create the perfect steamy and corrupt atmosphere, emphasizing both the sensual tone and moral decay of the characters.

Awards and Nominations

While Wild Things didn’t take home prestigious awards, it did become a cult classic over time. It was:

Nominated for several MTV Movie Awards (Best Kiss, Best Villain).
A frequent fixture in “sexiest movie moments” and twist-ending lists.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Kevin Bacon was also an executive producer.
Denise Richards’s infamous pool scene caused controversy but skyrocketed her popularity.
Bill Murray improvised many of his lawyer character’s sleazy moments.
Neve Campbell only agreed to the role on the condition that her nude scenes would be restricted (which is why she’s less exposed than the others).
The film was inspired by classic noir plots and pulp novels but deliberately amped up the sexuality to appeal to late-’90s audiences.

Inspirations and References

Influenced by classic film noir such as Double Indemnity and Body Heat.
The story structure shares elements with The Big Sleep, with characters constantly betraying one another and motives shifting every few minutes.
Suzie’s femme fatale role echoes The Last Seduction and Basic Instinct.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

An alternate ending was filmed but never used, in which Suzie is arrested after slipping up about her scheme.
Deleted scenes flesh out Suzie’s backstory further, including her time in juvenile detention and more interaction with Sam prior to the con.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Wild Things is not based on a book, though it feels like a steamy noir novel. The screenplay is original, written by Stephen Peters.
That said, its tropes and characters borrow heavily from pulp fiction archetypes.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Kelly accusing Sam in front of the entire school.
The three-way pool scene (infamous and iconic).
Suzie’s courtroom breakdown that flips the trial.
Sam’s shocking murder by Duquette.
The end-credit reveals that reframe the entire plot.

Iconic Quotes

Sam: “People aren’t always what they appear to be. Don’t forget that.”
Kelly: “Everyone gets what they deserve.”
Suzie: “You don’t think I could’ve done it, do you?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Suzie reads Of Mice and Men, hinting at her intelligence beneath the slacker image.
Sam’s boat is named “The Summer Girl,” referencing Kelly—who is his summer fling and eventual downfall.
The film repeatedly uses water (pools, showers, swamps) as a metaphor for both seduction and deception.

Trivia

The screenplay was on the Hollywood Black List for years for being “too edgy” before finally getting made.
The pool scene between Denise Richards and Neve Campbell was choreographed for over a week and heavily edited to avoid an NC-17 rating.
Kevin Bacon’s nude scene was not in the script—he claims it was accidental but left in by the director.
The title “Wild Things” refers not just to the characters’ sexuality but to their primal, amoral instincts.

Why Watch?

It’s a perfect guilty pleasure—a twisty, sexy thriller that never takes itself too seriously but is smarter than it looks.
The plot twists just keep coming—right until the last credit.
Strong performances, especially from Neve Campbell and Kevin Bacon, who give their characters surprising depth.
If you like crime dramas with morally grey characters and unpredictable plots, this one’s for you.

Director’s Other Movies

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)
Mad Dog and Glory (1993)
The Borrower (1991)
Normal Life (1996)

Wild Things (1998)