Kiss The Girls (1997)

30% of critics liked it
(30 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(58,739 ratings)

This thriller is adapted from the 1995 novel by James Patterson about a serial killer prowling a Southern university. Washington, D.C., forensic psychologist Dr. Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman) is also a best-selling author. After his niece Naomi (Gina Ravera) is reported missing, he heads his Porsche… More This thriller is adapted from the 1995 novel by James Patterson about a serial killer prowling a Southern university. Washington, D.C., forensic psychologist Dr. Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman) is also a best-selling author. After his niece Naomi (Gina Ravera) is reported missing, he heads his Porsche for Durham, North Carolina, where eight young women have been reported missing. Bodies are found by local policemen (Cary Elwes and Alex McArthur), along with the killer's signature, "Casanova." Casanova is a "collector" of strong-willed women who are forced to submit to his demands. Soon, local doctor Kate McTiernan (Ashley Judd) is abducted from her home and taken to a dungeon -- where other women are imprisoned in underground chambers. After McTiernan succeeds in escaping, she joins Cross and other detectives in the search for Casanova -- a trail that leads to Los Angeles, where similar crimes are being committed by someone known as "The Gentleman Caller." Are these two criminals in competition with each other or are they working together? ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Gary Fleder
Written By: David Klass
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 3, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Oct 6, 1998
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Mike Clark, USA Today
Even those engrossed by the build-up here are likely to kiss off the rest after suffering through Girls' groaner of a wrap-up.
Ellen Twadell, Common Sense Media
A thrill-less thriller. Too violent for kids.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
There is a critical void in the middle--the villain.
James Sanford, James Sanford on Film
like a good-looking blind date who promises dinner and a movie, then takes you to Burger King and "Wishmaster," the spell dissipates quickly, leaving you feeling seduced and abandoned.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Em nenhum momento o espectador fica grudado à cadeira, em pânico pelo que pode acontecer dali a alguns minutos.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

Okay thriller. I felt like it could have been better than it was, but kept me interested most of the way through and had a good ending. I don't watch a lot of this type of thing, so i didn't find it too predictable, though it might have been for a fan of the genre. I like… More
Okay thriller. I felt like it could have been better than it was, but kept me interested most of the way through and had a good ending. I don't watch a lot of this type of thing, so i didn't find it too predictable, though it might have been for a fan of the genre. I like Ashley judd as an actress and i think she is good here.
Candy R

A woman escapes from her kidnapper and returns to help the police to rescue other girls. Good thriller. Good cast.
Spencer S

It wasn't an awful film altogether, but it wasn't exactly a crime thriller. Sure, it had all the elements of the original novel, but it truly lacked the true to form Alex Cross, the propiety of serial killers, or suspense. Maybe it's just me, but it felt a tad stilted.
Anthony L

A decent detective film, adapted well from the book.
Red L

The movie is adequate. Keeps you interested. I enjoyed Morgan Freeman's acting, but Ashley Judd's was a bit suspect. The business that the cops missed the underground hideout is pretty lame.
Luke B

Freeman plays it Se7en style, as does the rest of the film. It's an interesting story with some fairly involving twists, but nothing that really stands out from the crowd. Judd's character is incredibly annoying at times. Despite going through a traumatic experience, she… More
Freeman plays it Se7en style, as does the rest of the film. It's an interesting story with some fairly involving twists, but nothing that really stands out from the crowd. Judd's character is incredibly annoying at times. Despite going through a traumatic experience, she constantly ignores the police and irritates the viewer. With a film like this it's obvious one of the supporting players is behind it all, and crediting that actor so far up the credits ladder was a bit obvious. A decently made thriller that takes you on a nice journey but simply leaves you aching for superior efforts in the genre.
Sarah G

Director:Gary Fleder Released: 1997 Stars: Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes and Brian Cox Genre: Thriller/Crime Country: USA Washington DC detective Dr. Alex Cross… More
Director:Gary Fleder Released: 1997 Stars: Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes and Brian Cox Genre: Thriller/Crime Country: USA Washington DC detective Dr. Alex Cross travels to North Carolina to investigate the apparent kidnapping of his niece. Aided by escaped kidnapee Kate McTiernan, Cross hunts down the kidnapper, who operates under the pseudonym "Casanova." Kiss The Girls is very much a film of the 1990's. The look, the plot and in some ways the cast depict everything about 1990s's culture. With many films of the 1990's generally involving some kind of serial killer, or one person leading the chase to find the killer-this film isn't much of an exception to those films at all. Kiss the Girls does however keep you watching and watching it until the end. With an all star cast, the film does keep you watching and with Morgan Freeman in the title role; you'll realise that he's the only reason why you are watching. The cast is the only thing that keeps this film moving. Many of the characters are well developed and you begin to understand each character. Ashley Judd( who seemed to be in every film in the 1990s,) , her character believable, yet a little hysterical at the end. Freeman, carries the film and delievers another assertve role. Cary Elwes, makes for a reasonable character and does deliever an equally interesting performance( as ou will see if you watch it!) Also worth mentioing Brian Cox, who is a little underdeveloped in his role is also good as is Tony Goldwyn. The plot of Kiss the Girls is pretty average. The story moves along very quickly and some of the scenes feel a little underdeveloped and rushed at times, meaning it doesn't aid you're understanding of the film as a viewer. The plot is predictable, all except the twist which was one highlight of the film. The film is directed well, but still at your average standard. Many of the scenes are filmed in such a way like many films of that period-minus the perfection. However this isn't a flaw. Comparisons with the likes of the superb Seven and The Silence of the Lambs are things that will most likely pop into your head whilst watching this. The film tries to suprise you but doesn't seem to have the suspense that those films had. You want to be scared but you just don't feel it. The "scar factor" is none exsistant however the film somehow keeps you attentive. Overall, Kiss the Girls is no Seven of Silence of the Lambs, however is a decent serial killer film that keeps you watching. One to watch late in the evening. 6/10
xGary X

Morgan Freeman is a forensic psychiatrist investigating the abduction of a group of young women in this purely by the numbers serial killer flick. One of the many, many copycats that followed the success of Silence Of The Lambs and Seven, there is absolutely nothing here that you… More
Morgan Freeman is a forensic psychiatrist investigating the abduction of a group of young women in this purely by the numbers serial killer flick. One of the many, many copycats that followed the success of Silence Of The Lambs and Seven, there is absolutely nothing here that you haven't seen at least a dozen times before. The plot gimmicks including the fact that he is aided in his investigation by one of the would be victims and the addition of a second killer are as fatuous as you'd expect from this kind of dim-witted airport lounge literature inspired story, and of course the master criminal suddenly becomes a complete imbecile to set up the inevitably melodramatic showdown. It's competently directed and Morgan Freeman's measured and mature performance saves it from becoming complete drivel, but it's not enough to avoid total mediocrity.
Curtis L

Think I saw part of this on tv once. Seemed pretty run of the mill.
Al S

A chiiling, riveting, compelling and very entertaining thriller filled with great last minute twist and breathtaking excitement. Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd are brilliant.
Lady D

Another watchable James Patterson adapton, starring Alex Cross again. In comparrison to 'Along came a Spider' this one is a better story, but perhaps more predictable.
Nani V

As always...the book is better.
Dean !

Another good thriller starring Morgan Freeman playing the same detective as in Along came a spider.
Drew S

A flimsy, though still interesting/entertaining imping of Silence of the Lambs. I think a movie's in trouble if the most memorable thing about it is a monologue about how nipples get erect.
Tim B

Lame.
Jason S

Good thriller.
Stuart B

Decent thriller but easy to guess who done it
Roy G

It's worth a look.
Dean M

Judd's character is a encoverage woman who escaped from Casanova's hidden lair and assists with a master black detective to find other victims.
Leigh R

Good thriller.