Overview
A sultry affair turns deadly in the sweltering heat of Florida.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- steamy
- oppressive
- suspenseful
- late night thriller viewing
- classic noir marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the film as a stylish, engrossing modernization of classic noir, driven by steamy atmosphere, narrative momentum, and strong supporting performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The searing Florida heatwave and lack of air conditioning shape the film's sensual, oppressive atmosphere.
The film uses classic noir ingredients—femme fatale, illicit affair, murder, and doomed ambition—in a contemporary 1980s setting.
Ned's lust for Matty leads him from an affair into an increasingly dangerous plan against her husband.
The affair between Ned and Matty is presented as both passionate intimacy and the engine of a murder conspiracy.
Films like Body Heat, and why
Double Indemnity
shared neo-noir atmosphere, adulterous murder scheme, femme fatale dynamics, and morally compromised protagonist
The Last Seduction
shared erotic thriller tension, marital conspiracy, criminal desire, and distrustful relationships
The Postman Always Rings Twice
shared steamy neo-noir style, infidelity, murder plotting, and fatalistic crime narrative
Chinatown
shared modernized film noir ingredients, seductive criminal partnership, and corrosive ambition
Movie Details
- Director
- Lawrence Kasdan
- Release Date
- 1981-08-28
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (718)
Cast
- William Hurt
- Kathleen Turner
- Richard Crenna
- Ted Danson
- J.A. Preston
- Mickey Rourke
- Kim Zimmer
- Jane Hallaren
- Lanna Saunders
- Carola McGuinness
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Body Heat about?
- A lust-driven Florida lawyer enters a murderous conspiracy with a married woman, where classic noir fatalism simmers beneath the heat.
- What is Body Heat like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Body Heat as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Body Heat violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Body Heat as moderate.
- What did critics think of Body Heat?
- Critics broadly praise the film as a stylish, engrossing modernization of classic noir, driven by steamy atmosphere, narrative momentum, and strong supporting performances.
- Which films are like Body Heat?
- Films with a similar feel include Double Indemnity, The Last Seduction, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Chinatown.
- How long is Body Heat?
- Body Heat runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Body Heat?
- In United States, Body Heat is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
