Never Talk to Strangers (1995)

15% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
40% of users liked it
(5,278 ratings)

A beautiful but reserved criminal psychiatrist must deal with the obsessive stalking of a dangerous killer in this erotically charged thriller. The film's central tension emerges from the relationship between Dr. Sarah Taylor (Rebecca DeMornay), a highly professional psychologist, and a handsome… More A beautiful but reserved criminal psychiatrist must deal with the obsessive stalking of a dangerous killer in this erotically charged thriller. The film's central tension emerges from the relationship between Dr. Sarah Taylor (Rebecca DeMornay), a highly professional psychologist, and a handsome stranger, Tony Ramirez (Antonio Banderas). After randomly encountering Tony in a supermarket, the normally aloof Sarah lets her guard down and embarks on a passionate sexual affair with the Latino charmer. Soon afterward, however, Sarah receives a series of disturbing threats from an unknown stalker. Her suspicions immediately fall on Tony, as she realizes how little she knows about her new lover. Her fear throws a shadow over their relationship, and her doubts increase as she learns more about Tony's dangerous past. Director Peter J. Hall maintains a fast pace and attempts to keep audiences guessing, introducing additional suspects from an imprisoned serial killer (Harry Dean Stanton) to the next-door neighbor (Dennis Miller). The characters rarely transcend standard thriller types, and the uneven screenplay does not have a satisfying ending, but the chemistry between DeMornay and Banderas may keep their fans interested along the way. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Peter Hall
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Oct 20, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Jun 25, 2001
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Brendan Kelly, Variety
Reasonably entertaining but largely uninspired.
Caryn James, New York Times
It's an easy-to-watch movie that will be even easier on video, where it should turn up any minute.
Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle
It's mysterious and sexy enough to keep tension alive until, too bad, the whole thing collapses with a twist ending that is nearly laughable.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
[Hall] can't triumph over the problems in the script, or tie up all the loose ends, but his brisk, competent approach does minimize the effects of these flaws.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Here's a sure method to guess whodunnit in bad mystery thrillers: pick the suspect most likely to shock the audience and you have the killer.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's basically a direct-to-video erotic thriller blown up to big-screen proportions, but the stars are attractive and it's passably entertaining -- right up to the ridiculous twist ending.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
An adequate psychological thriller on a topical theme -- Repressed Memory Syndrome -- but with little special quality, few frills or thrills, and a relaxed, almost languid exposition.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
The answer to the mystery was a surprise to me, but I didn't find the answer very convincing.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Barely watchable.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
There's plenty of sex. There's little plot. There's reason to watch something else.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
and never watch anything with Banderas and DeMornay co-starring...
Jon Matsumoto, Boxoffice Magazine
The film is rife with unexpected revelations and twists but the filmmakers' sly maneuvering, instead of sucking the audience deeper into this psychological thriller, are apt to make them feel manipulated.
Madeleine Williams, Cinematter
Borderline ridiculous and ultimately pointless thriller.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
One of the least subtle motion pictures this year.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
Utterly forgettable.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Even with its sights set this low, the film misfires on every level.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Megan S

I mean it was good enough for a movie to watch on TV in the middle of the night. I did get fooled by the ending, no matter how implausible it was. I kept thinking I had it figured out but then thinking that was too obvious so I'd think something else but I never did get it right.
Mason W

Never Talk to Strangers, starring Rebecca De Mornay and Antonio Banderas is a good thriller of one man's deadly obession.
Chosen 7

Good suspense film, great ending. Rebecca De Mornay was kinda sexy back in the 90's, and her performance was excellent.