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Fear

  • 1996
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
59K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,523
304
Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon in Fear (1996)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer1:44
1 Video
99+ Photos
Psychological DramaPsychological ThrillerDramaThriller

When Nicole met handsome, charming, affectionate David, he was everything. It seemed perfect, but soon she sees that David has a darker side. And his adoration turns to obsession, their drea... Read allWhen Nicole met handsome, charming, affectionate David, 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.When Nicole met handsome, charming, affectionate David, 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
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    59K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,523
    304
    • Director
      • James Foley
    • Writer
      • Christopher Crowe
    • Stars
      • Mark Wahlberg
      • Reese Witherspoon
      • William Petersen
    • 225User reviews
    • 52Critic reviews
    • 51Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:44
    Trailer

    Photos251

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    + 245
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    Top cast20

    Edit
    Mark Wahlberg
    Mark Wahlberg
    • David McCall
    Reese Witherspoon
    Reese Witherspoon
    • Nicole Walker
    William Petersen
    William Petersen
    • Steve Walker
    Amy Brenneman
    Amy Brenneman
    • Laura Walker
    Alyssa Milano
    Alyssa Milano
    • Margo Masse
    Christopher Gray
    • Toby
    Tracy Fraim
    Tracy Fraim
    • Logan
    Gary Riley
    Gary Riley
    • Hacker
    Jason Kristofer
    Jason Kristofer
    • Terry
    Jed Rees
    Jed Rees
    • Knobby
    Todd Caldecott
    • Gary Rohmer
    Gerry Bean
    Gerry Bean
    • Eddie Clark
    • (as John Oliver)
    David Fredericks
    David Fredericks
    • Larry O'Brien
    Rav Toor
    Rav Toor
    • Counterman
    • (as Ravinder Toor)
    Andrew Airlie
    Andrew Airlie
    • Alex McDowell
    Jo Bates
    Jo Bates
    • Julie Masse
    Will Sengotta
    • Kid at Door
    L. Harvey Gold
    L. Harvey Gold
    • Peterman
    • Director
      • James Foley
    • Writer
      • Christopher Crowe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews225

    6.258.7K
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    Featured reviews

    primrosemoon

    good actors + cool story + rollar coaster scene = good movie!

    This is a perfect movie for people who enjoy suspense, but don't mind if the film is not entirely intellectual or whatever. Mark Wahlberg is great to look at (so is Reese Witherspoon for the guys) and the story - though done before - is very engaging and watchable. The chemistry between David and Nicole before he goes wacko is great, too. I recommend this as a good film to rent for a "night with the girls" or if you are just in the mood for a thriller with real good looking people. Plus, Fox seems to put this movie on TV twice a year, as it was just on last night, and was on in August of '99. ENJOY!!
    Deniro68

    Works Quite Well

    Movie like this either reach out and pull you in or they don't. Fear pulled me in. I rented this movie about a week after Halloween of 1996 and put it in my VCR not sure what to expect. 2 hours later I ejected the movie from the VCR feeling somewhat dazed and overwhelmed. Fear isn't a classic. But it works well. It is scary, violent gory and well made. The reason it works so well is because it was made by people who knew what they were doing. The whole stalker style of movies is full of uninspired trash that sounds like it was made for the USA network.

    Fear stands heads and shoulders above that (And to some extent above the original Fatal Attraction). It's not afraid to push, to pull us inside, to scare us and give us a good conclusion at the end, one that movies of this type always mess up.

    ***
    8jomyers2010

    Excellent Movie

    I have titled this review 'Revisited' as I have seen this movie before, a long while ago, but I have still seen it before. It really is a little gem of a film. The storyline is good, the acting is good and even the 'thriller' aspect of the film makes you feel a bit freaked out. There is a romance aspect, but its not too mushy.

    Excellent acting from both Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon. Both so young in this film, and also still acting today. I could easily say that Fear features possibly one of the best performances from the pair of them. Wahlberg's ability to play a psychopath so easily, and convincingly is amazing. Witherspoon's naivety as a sixteen year old girl, was also incredibly outstanding. Both Wahlberg and Witherspoon are household names now, that almost everyone had heard of, yet in this film they were both new and unknown. Excellent way to pave a career guys.
    5scarlettimogen

    Shocked at the high rating

    I mean it's ok but so dated and not in a good way. The acting is laughable in many places apart from the step mum and dad but definitely not worth the high rating on here. Easy to watch and it's fine but a 5 is all it deserves
    8Raydio

    Surprisingly entertaining, despite the negative reviews

    The story behind the film "Fear" is nothing new. Obsessive love leading to dangerous fatal attraction. But I'm not ashamed to say that I really enjoyed watching this movie. To be sure, there were the typical cliches (did anyone not know that the security guard was SO dead!). However, the action in the film keeps things moving along at a steady pace, and the tension builds towards the reasonably satisfying climax. Performances by the lead characters were generally quite good. I found Mark Wahlbergs character to be quite convincing and quite menacing, though I agree he would certainly benefit from some speech coaching. The two young female leads, Reese Witherspoon and Alyssa Milano, did a good job playing the victims, and certainly add value to the film for their attractiveness alone. The standout performance for me was that of William L. Petersen as the father. Most of his actions/reactions rang true to me. Was "Fear" a great movie? Not really. Was it a good, satisfying and ultimately entertaining way to spend 97 minutes? Yes indeed. Even my wife stayed awake till the end, and that's worth an 8/10 alone.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Leonardo DiCaprio was looked at for the role of David McCall, DiCaprio didn't think he was right for the role, but he put in a good word for friend/co-star Mark Wahlberg to director James Foley after working with him on The Basketball Diaries (1995). Foley and Wahlberg spent the day hanging out and discussing the part before Wahlberg was later told by Foley that he really liked him but that he wouldn't be considered for the lead role of David McCall. Wahlberg was subsequently offered to come in to audition for one of David's criminal friends and impressed Foley so much with his audition that Foley told the studio that he would back out of directing the movie if Wahlberg didn't get to play David.
    • Goofs
      When David hits himself in the chest repeatedly after he talks with Mr. Walker, Nicole comes home and tells her dad that she saw bruises all over his chest, but shortly after David carves "Nicole 4 Eva" on his chest, there are no bruises or any marks.
    • Quotes

      David McCall: [At the door] It could have all been different, Mr. Walker. You should have allowed nature to take its course. In the end, it will anyway.

      [pause]

      David McCall: SO LET ME IN THE FUCKIN' HOUSE!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Celtic Pride/Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie/Mrs. Winterbourne/The Substitute/Fear/Sweet Nothing (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Jessica
      Written by Dickey Betts

      Performed by The Allman Brothers Band

      Courtesy of Polydor Records

      By Arrangement with PolyGram Special Markets

      Unichappell Music, Inc. & F.R. Betts Music Co.

      All Rights Administered by Unichappell Music, Inc. (BMI)

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Fear?Powered by Alexa
    • Why are the police searching the water when the ending credits begin to roll? Did David's body go missing? Did they cut out a final scene where David wakes up miraculously and sneaks away in the water? Did the tide wash away his body? Please explain if someone knows? Or maybe this is another goof?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 12, 1996 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Miedo
    • Filming locations
      • Mercer Island, Washington, USA
    • Production companies
      • Imagine Entertainment
      • UBCP/ACTRA
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,831,000
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,312,240
      • Apr 14, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,831,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • DTS-Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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