Never Talk to Strangers (1995)

Sarah Taylor, a criminal psychologist, embarks on a torrid affair with a seductive stranger. However, she begins doubting whether she can trust him when a mysterious stalker begins harassing her.

Director:

Peter Hall

Writers:

Lewis A. Green (as Lewis Green), Jordan Rush

Stars:

Rebecca De Mornay, Antonio Banderas, Dennis Miller

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rebecca De Mornay	...	Dr. Sarah Taylor
Antonio Banderas	...	Tony Ramirez
Dennis Miller	...	Cliff Raddison
Len Cariou	...	Henry Taylor
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Max Cheski
Eugene Lipinski	...	Dudakoff
Martha Burns	...	Maura
Beau Starr	...	Grogan
Phillip Jarrett	...	Spatz
Tim Kelleher	...	Wabash
Emma Corosky	...	Young Sarah
Susan Coyne	...	Alison
Joseph R. Gannascoli	...	Carnival Attendant
Reg Dreger	...	Flight Attendant
Frances Hyland	...	Mrs. Slotnick

Storyline

Sarah Taylor, a police psychologist, meets a mysterious and seductive man, Tony Ramirez, and falls in love with him. As a result of this relationship, she changes her personality when she begins to receive anonymous telephone calls.

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Plot Keywords:

woman in jeopardy | anonymous telephone call | love | sex in bed | sex scene | 

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Taglines:

In A World Where Love Isn't Always Safe, Trust Can Be Deadly.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and some strong graphic sexuality

Details

Country:

USA Canada Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Nunca hables con extraños

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$6,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,903,457, 22 October 1995

Gross USA:

$6,858,261

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,858,261

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Abaton Filmhauswertung GmbH, Alliance Communications Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Raoul Ruiz was originally slated to direct this film.

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Goofs

In the last scene where Tony and Sarah made love, it shows his left hand, and there is a ring on his wedding finger. Later on in the movie, he has two rings on, one still on his wedding finger.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Max Cheski: I think sex is overrated, Dr. Taylor. Don't you?
Max Cheski: No, I guess not. You'd be out of a job, wouldn't you?
Max Cheski: I love that little scar... on your mouth.

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Alternate Versions

An unrated version is available on laserdisc.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood's Top Ten: Antonio Banderas Movies (2011)

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Soundtracks

A Mover La Colita
Performed by Artie the 1 Man Party
Written by Juan Lopez
Courtesy of Scotti Bros. Records/Rodven Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Erotic thriller dulls the senses...

Brian De Palma has often come in for some flak over the years, his penchant for sticking tight to Alfred Hitchcock thriller formula has been the source of much consternation in certain quarters. Yet when you view something like Peter Hall's Never Talk to Strangers it rams home just how welcome it is to have Hitch like thrillers at least done well!

Rebecca De Mornay is a troubled shrink who whilst dealing with the mind games of a serial killing loony (Harry Dean Stanton), meets sexually charged Latino guy (Antonio Banderas) and indulges in passions unbound. Then she starts to get very unwelcome presents in the post...

The erotic thriller has been well trodden, and will continue to be so for sure, so it feels a little churlish to decry Hall's movie for coming off as a weak willed imitator of previous purveyors of the sub-genre, but this blend of Silence of the Lambs meets Sea of Love - cum - Dressed to Kill - cum Fatal Attraction etc etc just comes across as a cheat. And that's because it is!

The makers know this and try to hide their ridiculous folly behind eroticism as the two lovely looking headlining stars get sweaty and wet, indulging in sexual play that's as powerful as the surroundings (Banderas lives in a loft apartment resplendent with metal cage and wrought iron doors). But, or should that be butt? The mystery element is weak, the suspense equally so, while the back story of De Mornay's father (a key character) is hopelessly under developed.

Then there is H.D. Stanton, stealing every scene is he is in, quid pro quo indeed, yet he's hardly in the film, which ultimately proves to be a tragedy as the plot hurtles towards its implausible and risible revelations. Red herrings come and go as quickly as Becca and Tony's underwear (the continuity editor should have been sacked along with the writers because of one scene BTW), and even though Pino Donaggio scores the music with customary swirling qualities, this just comes off as a piggyback tactic...

This is a poor thriller in spite of two very committed and visually attractive perfs from the leads - and of course Stanton's knowingly sleazy turn. Seek this out only if you think Body of Evidence is in the upper echelons of erotic thrillers. 5/10