27 Years Later, This “Trashy” Cult-Classic R-Rated Thriller That Roger Ebert Loved Returns to Heat Up New Streaming Home

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The 1990s were known for their steamy, suspenseful thrillers, many of which are now considered cult classics. Films like Single White Female, Body of Evidence, Basic Instinct, and Eyes Wide Shut immediately spring to mind. But another notable entry from 1998, featuring four popular actors at the time, is also worth remembering. Good news for fans – it’s coming to Netflix next month as part of their 2026 releases.

Released in theaters on March 20, 1998, Wild Things is an erotic thriller featuring Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, and Denise Richards. The film, directed by John McNaughton (known for the 1980s horror film Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), gained a reputation as a somewhat scandalous but popular cult classic. Despite a $20 million production budget, Wild Things performed well at the box office, earning a total of $67.2 million.

As far as the story goes, Wild Things is a lot smarter than people give it credit for. While horny teenagers might have been interested in it back in the day for the tantalizing scenes with Campbell and Richards, looking back on it nearly 30 years later reveals that it’s actually a pretty good neo-noir thriller with a lot of clever twists, the synopsis for which reads:

Teenager Kelly Richards, upset that her guidance counselor Sam Dillon isn’t interested in her, falsely accuses him of assault, leading to his arrest. Sam turns to Ken, a somewhat incompetent lawyer known for using exaggerated props in his cases, for help. The situation becomes more complicated when another young woman, Suzie, claims to be a victim, and Detective Duquette begins to suspect the truth is much different than it appears.

‘Wild Things’ Was Surprisingly Well Received By Critics, Including Roger Ebert


Columbia Pictures

Most critics would have likely dismissed a film like Wild Things as cheap and exploitative, but it actually received surprisingly positive reviews when it was first released. It’s currently rated 65% on Rotten Tomatoes—much higher than expected—and even earned a somewhat grudging compliment from the late film critic Roger Ebert, who once wrote:

“Wild Things” is a ridiculously over-the-top and messy movie with a plot that’s confusing even after the credits roll. It’s a strange mix of erotic thriller, melodramatic soap opera, and low-budget noir – and surprisingly, I enjoyed it.

Critics have described Wild Things in many ways – from wildly entertaining and a gripping drama about class differences, to shocking, sensational, and surprisingly smart. It’s become a beloved example of the 90s erotic thriller genre and is worth revisiting. You can now find it streaming on Netflix if you’re interested in watching it again or discovering it for the first time.

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2026-01-07 20:08