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Something Wild

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Videos & Photos

  • Trailer for Something Wild
  • Trailer 1

Movie Info & Cast

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Producer:

Kenneth Utt

Writer:

E. Max Frye

Release Date:

Oct 22, 1986

Runtime:

1hr 54m

Synopsis

A free-spirited woman "kidnaps" a yuppie for a weekend of adventure. But the fun quickly takes a dangerous turn when her ex-convict husband shows up.

Cast

  • Jeff Daniels
  • Melanie Griffith
  • George 'Red' Schwartz
  • Leib Lensky
  • Tracey Walter
  • Maggie T.
  • Patricia Falkenhain
  • Sandy McLeod
  • Robert Ridgely
  • Buzz Kilman

Letterboxd User Reviews

3.8
74.2K
32.4K
23.6K
RATINGS 480 FANS
3.8
  • May 31, 2020

    A movie that explores one of my greatest fears: having no cash at a restaurant that doesn't take credit cards

    1.8K Likes
    Patrick Willems
    Patrick Willems
    May 13, 2017

    Never go with Ray Liotta to a second location.

    1.4K Likes
    Timcop
    Timcop
    Nov 9, 2019

    better to be a live dog than a dead lion

    1.3K Likes
    David Sims
    David Sims
  •
    Jun 13, 2025

    one of the most vibrant pieces of American cinema you’ll find. an everything movie with everyone in it. peak liotta

    952 Likes
    Karsten
    Karsten
    Apr 4, 2017

    Not really a review of this movie but RIP Jonathan Demme all the same.  There is a wonderful moment in Something Wild, Jonathan Demme’s freewheeling screwball road movie and just about my favourite movie of all time, in which our newly cut-loose yuppie hero, Charles Driggs…

    682 Likes
    Calum Marsh
    Calum Marsh
    Jul 24, 2021

    stayed up for my first midnight screening at the new bev and WOOHOO this was a blast!! first shot of young jeff daniels make me go “oh nooo he’s hottttt!”  exceedingly charming performances and funny + compelling script that was written by a guy who was still in film…

    595 Likes
    mia lee vicino
    mia lee vicino
  •
    Sep 14, 2023

    We always refer to Janet Leigh and Psycho when talking about a movie that kills off a major character shockingly early in the runtime. I’m not sure there is a cinematic shorthand for the inverse; when a character shows up late in a film and totally tilts it off its axis —…

    569 Likes
    Matt Singer
    Matt Singer
    Apr 6, 2019

    makes a really compelling case for bringing some rando normie with me to my high school reunion

    538 Likes
    fran hoepfner
    fran hoepfner
    Nov 27, 2021

    A fun, funny road trip, A++ soundtrack, Melanie Griffith with Louise Brooks hair, complete roster of Jonathan Demme weirdos in cameo roles, John Waters, Ray Liotta complete psycho energy, a delight. Simple as.

    485 Likes
    Will Menaker
    Will Menaker
See All Reviews on Letterboxd.com

Queue Community Reviews

89%
Community 357
❤️ LOVE
22%
👍 LIKE
67%
😐 MEH
9%
👎 DISLIKE
2%
Top Reviews
  • CvptvinHowdy
    CvptvinHowdy liked
    Something Wild

    It's kind of odd that I preferred the first half over the second since Ray Liotta's character enters the scene and transitions this into a thriller. Jeff Daniels is great, but it's the first time seeing Melanie Griffith, and she's cool, so I can't wait to check out what else she's been in.

    1Y
    vita
    vita watched_neutrald
    Something Wild

    5/10, didn’t understand idea from the beginning and it just seems strange how they could so easily move on from their lives (i mean the main character), but kind of interesting idk

    10M
    Nothuman
    Nothuman liked
    Something Wild

    Very good first half with great second half, great performances from everyone and just a really fun time with characters you just want to hang out with

    2Y
  • maximus
    maximus is "meh" on
    Something Wild

    It had my hopes running high, and although it didn’t necessarily deliver, it remains a really fun film. It’s kinda like Miami Blues’ little brother

    11M
    Ted Hoffman
    Ted Hoffman liked
    Something Wild

    R-rated ferris bueller. Had fun watching

    2Y
    Joe Schultz
    Joe Schultz loved
    Something Wild

    Real good flick. Fun soundtrack.

    2Y
  • Javier M
    Javier M liked
    Something Wild

    8.5/10 Jonathon Demme 80s

    2Y
    AJ Zeppenfeld
    AJ Zeppenfeld is "meh" on
    Something Wild

    Eh...

    1Y
View More Popular Something Wild Reviews on Queue

Atom Users Reviews

No one has posted a user review yet.

Metacritic

73
metacritic
Based on 14 Critics
8.2

USER SCORE (46)

Universal acclaim based on 46 Reviews
88

Something Wild is quite a movie. Demme is a master of finding the bizarre in the ordinary.

View full review
Metacritic review by Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
40

Something Wild is often Something Wrong.

View full review
Metacritic review by Vincent Canby
Vincent Canby
The New York Times
See All Critic Reviews on Metacritic.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Something Wild (1986) family-friendly?
The movie has been rated as R, meaning that Under 17 requires an adult accompaniment.
How long is Something Wild (1986)?
The movie is 1hr 54min long.
What's Something Wild (1986) about?
A free-spirited woman "kidnaps" a yuppie for a weekend of adventure. But the fun quickly takes a dangerous turn when her ex-convict husband shows up.
Who's the cast of Something Wild (1986)?
  • Jeff Daniels as Charles Driggs
  • Melanie Griffith as Audrey Hankel
  • George 'Red' Schwartz as Counter Man
  • Leib Lensky as Frenchy
  • Tracey Walter as The Country Squire
  • Maggie T. as Country Squire Bulldog
  • Patricia Falkenhain as Charlie's Secretary
  • Sandy McLeod as Graves' Secretary
  • Robert Ridgely as Richard Graves
  • Buzz Kilman as TV Newscaster
Who's the director behind Something Wild (1986)?
Jonathan Demme directed Something Wild (1986).
Who produced Something Wild (1986)?
Kenneth Utt produced Something Wild (1986).