Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- foreboding
- sensational
- late night thriller viewing
- 1990s movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the young cast appealing and the film suspenseful, but considered its increasingly overblown and illogical stalker story uneven, especially during the garish finale.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
David's initially appealing courtship becomes possessive, jealous, and threatening toward sixteen-year-old Nicole.
David and his friends invade Nicole's family home in an attempt to take her.
Nicole's first sexual relationship with David is the turning point for increasingly threatening behavior.
The film is identified with neo-noir and uses stylish direction to frame David's menace and the family's vulnerability.
Films like Fear, and why
Swimfan
teen-centered stalker thriller with escalating possessiveness, sexual tension, and domestic danger
Fatal Attraction
erotic thriller about obsessive romance, manipulation, and a relationship turning violently threatening
The Crush
young protagonist confronting a charismatic but dangerous obsessive pursuer in a suspense-driven thriller
Movie Details
- Director
- James Foley
- Release Date
- 1996-04-12
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1136)
Cast
- Mark Wahlberg
- Reese Witherspoon
- William L. Petersen
- Alyssa Milano
- Amy Brenneman
- Tracy Fraim
- Jason Kristofer
- Jed Rees
- Gary Riley
- Todd Caldecott
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Fear about?
- A teenage romance curdles into a terrifying battle for safety when an alluring boyfriend reveals himself as a violent obsessive.
- What is Fear like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Fear as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Fear violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Fear as moderate.
- What did critics think of Fear?
- Critics broadly found the young cast appealing and the film suspenseful, but considered its increasingly overblown and illogical stalker story uneven, especially during the garish finale.
- Which films are like Fear?
- Films with a similar feel include Swimfan, Fatal Attraction, and The Crush.
- How long is Fear?
- Fear runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Fear?
- In United States, Fear streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
