The River Wild

The River Wild (1994)

  • 55% of critics liked it
    (29 reviews)

  • 49% of users liked it
    (46,284 ratings)

In a change-of-pace role designed to prove that she could carry high-concept genre films as well as character-driven dramas, Meryl Streep headlined this fast-paced adventure as Gail, a whitewater rafting guide. For a vacation, Gail is accompanying her son Roarke (Joseph Mazzello) and workaholic… More

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PG-13,
Directed By
Written By
Denis O'Neill
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
In Theaters
Sep 30, 1994 Wide
MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

  • Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

    The perfect high old time for audiences in the mood to be tossed into the spin cycle for a pulse-pounding thrill ride.

  • Rita Kempley, Washington Post

    O'Neill proves to be a squeamish screenwriter. He doesn't allow his villain to do anything truly unnerving until the story's nearly done.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    Constructed from so many ideas, characters and situations recycled from other movies that all the way down the river I kept thinking: Been there. Done that.

  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews

    The thriller framework is still familiar, but the results exhibit a welcome freshness.

  • Josh Larsen, LarsenOnFilm

    Another 1990s domestic parable chastising workaholic dads, The River Wild also functions as a gorgeous travelogue and a Meryl Streep action film.

Read all 10 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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

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

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Jason S


    I really dig this flick. It's good to see Streep doing something this fun and Bacon makes a great villain. I've seen it at least 15 times and I never get tired of watching it.

  • Candy R


    Thriller about robbers who kidnap a family to help him escape down river. Good cast.

  • Jim C


    Exciting, but not rewatchable

  • Anthony L


    Hated it. I wanted everyone to drown.

  • Jason O


    "The River Wild" was one of my favorite movies of 1994. Gail (Meryl Streep), her husband, and her son decide to take a white-water rafting trip. They already have their problems because Gail's husband pays too much attention to his job and he doesn't pay enough… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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