Wild Things

In a sunlit Southern town a pair of teenage girls from opposite worlds level serious accusations at Sam Lombardo, the guidance counselor who counseled them and many others. Kelly Van Ryan, a sharp eyed heiress, and Suzie Toller, a rebellious teen with a troubled past, claim Lombardo assaulted them. The immediate fallout is swift: Lombardo is suspended, locals whisper about his guilt, and his life begins to unravel as interviews, rumors, and a growing sense of moral panic sweep through the community. A cautious detective senses a larger ruse at play, while the school and town tilt toward punishment. As the investigation deepens, loyalties fracture, secrets surface, and nothing about the case feels straightforward. The town struggles with truth, fear.

Directed by John McNaughton and written by Stephen Peters, Wild Things arrived in 1998 as a provocative thriller. It isnt based on a novel or play, instead drawing on a neo-noir tone and a cast that emphasizes mood and misdirection.

Box office figures for Wild Things are not widely reported, but the film drew attention through its star power and a rumor fueled marketing approach rather than a blockbuster run. Its reputation rests more on style and twists than grosses.

Wild Things lingered in pop culture as a standout late 90s thriller thanks to a bold marketing push and a cast that thrived in a kinky, high stakes setup. Critics and fans still cite its twist heavy premise and the way it leveraged flirtation, danger, and deception within the genre.

Critics have described Wild Things as a stylish but morally thorny thriller that trades straightforward resolution for ambiguity. The film probes how rumor, charm, and social status shape truth, exposing how appearances can mask ambition and power. Strong work from Bacon and Dillon anchors the shifting loyalties throughout its arc.