Fear (1996)

When Nicole met David; handsome, charming, affectionate, he was everything. It seemed perfect, but soon she sees that David has a darker side. And his adoration turns to obsession, their dream into a nightmare, and her love into fear.

Director:

James Foley

Writer:

Christopher Crowe

Stars:

Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William Petersen

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Wahlberg	...	David McCall
Reese Witherspoon	...	Nicole Walker
William Petersen	...	Steve Walker
Amy Brenneman	...	Laura Walker
Alyssa Milano	...	Margo Masse
Christopher Gray	...	Toby
Tracy Fraim	...	Logan
Gary Riley	...	Hacker
Jason Kristofer	...	Terry
Jed Rees	...	Knobby
Todd Caldecott	...	Gary Rohmer
Gerry Bean	...	Eddie Clark (as John Oliver)
David Fredericks	...	Larry O'Brien
Rav Toor	...	Counterman (as Ravinder Toor)
Andrew Airlie	...	Alex McDowell

Storyline

Nicole walker is the average 16 year old girl; wants to have fun, and dreams of her Prince Charming. When her and her best friend Margot appear at a party, she meets older bad boy David. Everything seems to be going so well and Nicole and David become a couple. Nicole's family like David and she decides she loves him enough to give herself to him one night after a date. However, as soon as they became official, David has become a possessive and jealous boyfriend. He even beats up one of Nicole's close male friends when he is seen giving her a hug at the end of school. After this dark event Nicole never wants to see David again but he tries his hardest to make sure Nicole will take him back. Soon enough she forgives him and things seem to be going well again until a sick situation involving Nicole's best friend Margot turns to her and David breaking up again. This time David is not taking any chances with not being with Nicole so him and his friends go into her family home and attempt ...

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Plot Keywords:

fatal attraction | teenage girl | bikini | blue eyes | blonde | 

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Taglines:

With boyfriends like this, enemies are the last thing you need.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong graphic violence and terror, sexuality, language and drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

No Fear

Filming Locations:

Mercer Island, Washington, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$20,754,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Entertainment, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

DTS DTS-Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Prior to this movie, James Foley directed Madonna's music videos "Live to Tell", "Papa Don't Preach", and "True Blue". "Live to Tell" is about deceit, mistrust, scars, and being strong in spite of everything. All of which Nicole must deal with throughout the movie. "Papa Don't Preach" mirrors Nicole's strained relationship with her father and stepmother, who mean well, but at first can't relate to her as well as they think they can. "True Blue" parallels David and Nicole's initial feelings for each other, which (particularly in David's case) soon get way out of hand.

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Goofs

When David is chasing Margo in the car, the headlights of both their cars go on & off.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Laura Walker: [calling upstairs to Nicole in the shower] Nicole, save some hot water for your father!

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Connections

Referenced in Everything Wrong with...: Everything Wrong with Fifty Shades of Grey in 18 Minutes or Less (2015)

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Soundtracks

Green Mind
Written by Sean Carlin, Jer Herring, Adam Sherburne, Phillip Stier
(Contains Samples of "Friendly Fascism")
Performed by Dink
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under License from CEMA Special Markets
Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. & Amusement Control
All Rights Administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
Music Corporation of America, Inc. (BMI)

User Reviews

Far Better Than I Expected It To Be

I had very low hopes for FEAR . I'd read the synopsis in the TV guide and the plot sounded like one of those psycho killer stalker from hell thrillers that were being churned out without any thought in the mid 1990s . Considering it starred singer Marky Mark , Reese Witherspoon and William Petersen who's a rival to Eric Roberts in the straight to video / cable TV movie stakes I didn't think this was going to be up to much

While not being a classic thriller FEAR certainly did hold my attention , probably because much of the characterisation is credible . All too often in this genre the actor or actress playing the villain really goes to town showing the audience what a bad ass they are thereby parodying the role . Mark Wahlberg as David is very restrained for the most part which makes David and credible character and his on screen chemistry with Reese Witherspoon's Nicole is believable , you can believe these two characters are genuinely in love with one another something that is all too rare in this type of movie

I should also point out that much of the movie revolves around the interaction of Petersen's Mr Walker who is concerned about his daughter's relationship with David . You can't blame the guy for wanting what's best for his offspring and it enhances the credibility of the story . It's refreshing to have a more thoughtful approach to this type of genre because if people start turning up dead after 15 minutes then things start to get silly , so the violence is kept to a minimum until almost at the end of the movie which does suffer something of a plot hole because no one seems to have a mobile telephone at readily hand and don't tell me professional people didn't have mobile phones in 1996 . Also watch out for references to STRAW DOGS , THE SHINING and NOSFERATU at the climax

Even if you're burned out on those 90s stalker from hell thrillers you could do worse than watch this on a wet Friday evening