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:

Never Talk to Strangers

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

After Sarah plants the gun in Tony's right hand she goes into the bathroom to clean up. When she comes out and kneels by Tony, the gun is no longer there.

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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

Her Body Makes Vows
Performed by Exchange featuring Marc Jordan
Written by Gerald O'Brien, Steve Sexton and Marc Jordan
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Clever Whodunnit

I like this sort of picture, the kind of mystery in which you can't pick out the murderer until the end of the movie. It's not billed as a mystery, though, but that's what it is. Although primarily a mystery, it spends a lot of time as a romance between the two principals, and then switches gears before the onset of tedium. As a result, there is a considerable dead spot in the middle of the film, which may have influenced some reviewers ratings.

As I mentioned, the ending is quite clever and the picture keeps you guessing, since there are few suspects to choose from and the ending was unexpected. Rebecca De Mornay was good as the heroine and Antonio Banderas was even better as the romantic stranger. Len Cariou plays her father in a wasted role. Banderas is often better than the material and does not seem to take himself seriously, as witnessed by the number of crummy movies he has appeared in.

"Never Talk To Strangers" is an absorbing, if uneven, murder mystery which has been given short shrift by reviewers on the IMDb website. If you rent it, give it a chance. I'll bet you won't guess the secret to the ending.