The Rewatchables

‘Wild Things’ With Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, and Mallory Rubin

February 3, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The 1998 erotic thriller *Wild Things* is considered a 'sweaty masterpiece' and a perfect example of the genre's sweet spot in the late 1990s, a period marked by a cultural surge in sexual openness before the internet decentralized explicit content. 
  • The film's success was partly due to the casting of then-newcomer Denise Richards and Neve Campbell, whose established TV personas created a surprising and effective dynamic within the movie's convoluted, twist-heavy plot. 
  • Bill Murray's unexpected appearance as a con man provided a jarring but delightful tonal shift that lent the film an odd credibility, despite the script being so convoluted that actors needed reminders of their characters' motivations during filming. 
  • The enduring appeal of *Wild Things* lies in its status as 'well-made trash' that successfully hit the cultural Zeitgeist, something modern, similar films often fail to achieve. 
  • The film's illicit nature, driven by its explicit content, was a major factor in its cult following, a dynamic largely absent today due to content saturation. 
  • The performances of supporting actors, particularly Teresa Russell as Sandra Van Ryan, are highlighted as memorably bad yet perfectly suited for the movie's tone. 
  • The discussion heavily focused on the casting choices, noting that actors like Tara Reid were considered for roles but ultimately Denise Richards was deemed perfect, and Scarlett Johansson was considered too attractive for Neve Campbell's role. 
  • The conversation delved into the film's explicit nature, referencing Kevin Bacon's no-nudity clause and the subsequent discussion about male actors potentially 'fluffing' before nude scenes, leading to the introduction of the term 'cock sock' as a modesty alternative. 
  • The hosts identified several plot nitpicks, including the illogical decision to leave Kelly Van Ryan alive at the end, the implausibility of Susie's quick recovery from missing two teeth, and the general trope of escaped criminals ending up in tropical beach resorts. 

Segments

Podcast Introduction and Hosts
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, and Mallory Rubin are reuniting to analyze the 1998 erotic thriller Wild Things.
  • Summary: The episode of The Rewatchables focuses on the movie Wild Things, starring Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Denise Richards, and Neve Campbell. The show notes emphasize the film’s theme that people are not always what they appear to be. The hosts are introduced alongside the episode’s producers.
Discussion of Joel Anderson Email
Copied to clipboard!
(00:01:50)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts referenced a listener email describing an athlete named Joel Anderson as a ‘fourth round defensive end that has 15 sacks in their rookie year,’ which Bill Simmons found insulting despite the high sack count.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly digress to discuss a listener email regarding a hypothetical athlete named Joel Anderson. The description implied a low draft status (fourth round) contrasted with elite performance (15 sacks). This led to a humorous exchange about the perceived insult versus the compliment of the performance metrics.
Categorizing Wild Things Genres
Copied to clipboard!
(00:04:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Wild Things is categorized by the hosts as an Erotic Thriller, Black Comedy, Campbell Thriller, Sweaty Masterpiece, and the most expensive Lifetime movie ever made.
  • Summary: The hosts attempt to define the film using multiple genre labels, highlighting its unique blend of tones. They note that the 90s represented the sweet spot for erotic thrillers, following classics like Fatal Attraction and peaking with Basic Instinct.
Cultural Impact on Young Viewers
Copied to clipboard!
(00:05:31)
  • Key Takeaway: For young viewers in the late 1990s, Wild Things was a staple sleepover movie alongside Cruel Intentions and American Pie, often watched primarily for the sexual content.
  • Summary: One host recalls watching the movie in middle school, noting that the initial draw was the sexual content, specifically the pool threesome scene. Upon rewatching as an adult, the host realized the film’s complex thriller plot was largely overlooked by younger audiences.
Late 90s Sexual Energy Context
Copied to clipboard!
(00:07:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The late 1990s saw a resurgence of overt sexuality in media, following a period of HIV-related fear, evidenced by Maxim Magazine, MTV Spring Break, and the WWE Attitude Era.
  • Summary: The hosts attribute the film’s existence to a cultural shift where fear surrounding HIV began to subside, leading to a ’let’s get our fake on again’ mentality in entertainment. This era included Girls Gone Wild and the rise of figures like Jenna Jameson into mainstream awareness.
Shifting Landscape of On-Screen Nudity
Copied to clipboard!
(00:09:42)
  • Key Takeaway: The rise of the internet and accessible pornography subsequently removed the necessity for explicit sexuality to be featured prominently in mainstream theatrical releases.
  • Summary: The availability of personalized, extreme content online meant that mainstream films no longer needed to push sexual boundaries to attract viewers. The conversation contrasts this with the era of Wild Things, where on-screen sexuality was a major draw, and notes the modern introduction of intimacy coordinators on sets.
Neve Campbell’s Career Trajectory
Copied to clipboard!
(00:18:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Neve Campbell’s role in Wild Things represented a significant, surprising departure from her beloved, sensitive persona established on the long-running TV drama Party of Five.
  • Summary: The hosts discuss how Party of Five kept Campbell tied to a specific image due to its high episode count, making her turn in Wild Things and The Craft a deliberate attempt to break typecasting. This attempt was meta-effective, as her character Susie needed to be surprising to the audience.
Denise Richards’ Star-Making Role
Copied to clipboard!
(00:23:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Wild Things served as the definitive launchpad for Denise Richards as a siren sexpot, a persona she struggled to escape later in her career.
  • Summary: The film was a major step for Richards, following appearances in Starship Troopers and Drop Dead Gorgeous, culminating in her role as a nuclear physicist in the Bond film The World Is Not Enough. Her career trajectory was significantly altered after meeting Charlie Sheen.
Matt Dillon’s Perfect Casting
Copied to clipboard!
(00:31:26)
  • Key Takeaway: Matt Dillon was perfectly cast as the handsome but slightly creepy teacher, allowing him to convincingly play both the initial leading man and the eventual patsy in the film’s twists.
  • Summary: Dillon, a successful ’tweener’ actor from the 80s, was convincing enough to attract female attention but flawed enough to be duped by the high school students. His 1998 was also marked by the comedic success of There’s Something About Mary.
Bill Murray’s Astonishing Cameo
Copied to clipboard!
(00:37:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Bill Murray’s brief but delightful appearance as a con man provided an unexpected credibility boost to the film, seemingly done as a favor to director John McNaughton.
  • Summary: Murray, a massive comedy star post-Groundhog Day, appears for about 20 minutes, playing a character running cons, which subtly prepares the audience for the final twist involving his character. His presence is noted as an example of a major star taking a small, fun role.
Film’s Convoluted Plot and Ebert’s Review
Copied to clipboard!
(00:43:01)
  • Key Takeaway: The script was so convoluted with twists that Kevin Bacon admitted actors needed constant reminders of their characters’ motivations, yet the film’s watchability stems from this absurdity.
  • Summary: The movie features an unusual closing credit sequence that attempts to explain the plot, a feature the hosts found surprisingly effective. Roger Ebert gave the film three stars, calling it ’lurid trash with a plot so twisted’ that it perfectly captured the era’s appetite for well-made, entertaining trash.
Denise Richards’ Career Moment
Copied to clipboard!
(00:50:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Denise Richards achieved a career-defining moment with a specific scene that many other actresses never replicated.
  • Summary: Dozens of actresses likely waited for a career-defining moment like the one Denise Richards experienced, but it never materialized for them. The scene had to hit the cultural Zeitgeist, which it successfully did. Roger Ebert gave the film three stars, calling it “lurid trash with a plot so twisted they’re still explaining it during the closing titles.”
Well-Made Trash Culture
Copied to clipboard!
(00:50:47)
  • Key Takeaway: There was a cultural space for well-made, entertaining trash films that is now often ruined by modern attempts on streaming platforms.
  • Summary: The movie culture once supported well-made trash that was simply entertaining and knew what it was making. Modern attempts at this type of film on streamers are frequently messed up by having the wrong stars or flawed plots. The success of Wild Things stemmed from the cast knowing what they were making and enjoying the process.
Illicit Nature and Word of Mouth
Copied to clipboard!
(00:51:16)
  • Key Takeaway: The illicit nature of seeing nudity in films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High drove word-of-mouth, a mechanism largely defunct today.
  • Summary: The illicit nature of seeing explicit content in older films created a narrative spring up around the movie, encouraging viewership. Today, that content is everywhere, eliminating the need for word-of-mouth or a cult following based on transgression. The ability to easily access explicit material removes the unique cultural impact these scenes once held.
South Florida as a Movie Location
Copied to clipboard!
(00:52:43)
  • Key Takeaway: South Florida functions as a versatile and atmospheric character in film, offering both opulent and grim settings.
  • Summary: South Florida is a great movie location because it allows filmmakers to access rich areas, grimier spots with dive bars, and swamps. The setting taps into a specific spirit, similar to the ‘hogs and kooks’ dynamic seen in other resort town narratives. Movies like Out of Time utilize this setting effectively, featuring Denzel Washington in sweaty, intense scenarios.
Teresa Russell’s Performance and Legacy
Copied to clipboard!
(00:55:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Teresa Russell’s performance as Sandra Van Ryan is characterized by delivering every line poorly, yet this bad acting perfectly serves the movie’s tone.
  • Summary: Teresa Russell’s line, “I don’t know anyone who can handle my boat the way you can,” sounded like it came directly from a porn script. Her acting is described as being like a ‘discount Kathleen Turner,’ who reportedly turned down the role. Despite her poor delivery, her scenes, including the physics-defying sex scene, are memorable and work for the film’s overall sleaze factor.
Soundtrack Drop-off and Thematic Music
Copied to clipboard!
(00:55:22)
  • Key Takeaway: The film’s late-90s music soundtrack abruptly ends, possibly shifting thematically to a jazz score as the plot darkens.
  • Summary: The movie maintains an amazing pace of late-1990s music until it suddenly stops, suggesting a budget run-out or thematic shift. The early music is diegetic, as characters are actually listening to songs like Third Eye Blind’s “Why Can’t We Be Friends” while driving. After the plot turns, the music transitions to a jazz score, reflecting the change in tone.
Iconic Threesome Scene Analysis
Copied to clipboard!
(01:04:26)
  • Key Takeaway: The motel threesome scene is a genuinely great plot twist moment that was significant because such scenes were taboo in mainstream cinema.
  • Summary: The scene is considered iconic because it features a thrilling plot reveal—the realization that all three characters are in cahoots—coupled with the sex. This moment was impactful because threesomes were rarely depicted in movies during the 80s and 90s, unlike today where such content is easily accessible. Matt Dillon’s unscripted line, “Yeah, oh, yeah, hold on, hold on, hold on,” is a memorable, in-the-moment detail.
What Aged Best and Worst
Copied to clipboard!
(01:07:36)
  • Key Takeaway: South Florida sex scandals are cited as aging the best, while the reliance on outdated technology for plot resolution ages the worst.
  • Summary: The setting of South Florida and its association with sex scandals has aged well, remaining relevant in current news cycles. Conversely, the plot relies heavily on technology that is now obsolete; for instance, the slow processing time for blood evidence and the lack of cell phone tower pings or text message discovery instantly unravel the mystery today. The film’s reliance on 1998-era technology makes its investigative elements unbelievable now.
Hottest Take and Casting What-Ifs
Copied to clipboard!
(01:08:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The hottest take suggests Sandra Van Ryan should have been killed early to simplify the scheme, while Robert Downey Jr. was nearly cast as Sam Lombardo.
  • Summary: The suggestion is that the convoluted plot would have been better served by killing Sandra Van Ryan immediately to unlock the trust fund and then having the remaining conspirators turn on each other. Robert Downey Jr. was unable to secure insurance for the role of Sam Lombardo due to past drug issues, though his charm might have made him too overtly ‘dirty’ for the initial setup. The hosts ultimately felt Matt Dillon was the right fit for the role.
Casting Near Misses and Richards’ Fit
Copied to clipboard!
(01:38:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Tara Reid auditioned for Kelly Van Ryan but was deemed almost too young for the role, which required older actors due to its softcore porn nature.
  • Summary: Natasha Leon auditioned for Susie but did not get the part, and Tara Reid also auditioned for Kelly Van Ryan. Denise Richards was considered perfect for her role because she possessed a specific ’twinkle in her eye.’ The film’s nature necessitated older actors playing high school students.
Robert Wagner and Supporting Cast Mentions
Copied to clipboard!
(01:39:41)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts briefly mention Robert Wagner and Jeff Perry (the DA/Bryce Until) while adhering to a production rule about referencing certain actors.
  • Summary: The discussion briefly touches on Robert Wagner, noting a rule about referencing him, and mentions Jeff Perry, who played the DA. A second Charlie Sheen connection is noted: Jennifer Taylor, who played Matt Dillon’s first girlfriend, later had a long run on Two and a Half Men as Charlie Sheen’s girlfriend.
Dean Witter’s Award and Casting Alternatives
Copied to clipboard!
(01:40:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Bill Murray was unanimously given the ‘Dean Witter’s Award’ for this episode of The Rewatchables, and Scarlett Johansson was suggested as a potential fit for Neve Campbell’s role had she been older.
  • Summary: Bill Murray received the ‘Dean Witter’s Award’ as the easiest choice for the category. Scarlett Johansson was proposed as an actor who would have been perfect for the Susie role five years later, having played a similar character in The Perfect Score.
Film Perfection and Production Halt
Copied to clipboard!
(01:42:24)
  • Key Takeaway: The film is considered 100% perfect for what it intended to achieve, which is encapsulated by the meme: ‘Sometimes I forget this is all it’s supposed to be.’
  • Summary: The ‘Devil Wears Proud Award’ was given because the movie perfectly executed its goal as an erotic thriller. Production was halted at one point because a dead body had to be removed from the swamp filming location. The hosts noted that the film’s ending was influenced by producer Peter Guber after test screenings indicated audiences loved Neve Campbell and Bill Murray.
No Nudity Clauses and International Titles
Copied to clipboard!
(01:43:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin Bacon’s no-nudity clause is discussed, contrasting with the director’s editor wanting to include a male nudity shot, and the film was retitled ‘Sex Crimes’ in several European countries.
  • Summary: The prevalence and purpose of no-nudity clauses are questioned, especially for an actor like Kevin Bacon, whose penis was reportedly visible in one scene despite the clause. The film was retitled Sex Crimes in France, Italy, and Belgium because the original title did not perform well internationally.
Shower Sex and Apex Mountain Choices
Copied to clipboard!
(01:45:33)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts established a personal time limit for enjoying shower sex, with one host stating enjoyment lasts only for the ‘first nine minutes’ before needing to move.
  • Summary: The discussion pivoted to shower sex, where one host specified enjoying it only for the first nine minutes before needing to relocate. Denise Richards was named the ‘Apex Mountain’ choice for the film, with Neve Campbell also being a strong contender due to her Scream fame.
Threesome Scene and Actor Comparisons
Copied to clipboard!
(01:46:42)
  • Key Takeaway: The film’s threesome scene was deemed the most ‘ballyhoo’ ever, comparable to a shocking dunk contest performance, and Matt Dillon was preferred over Kevin Bacon for that scene.
  • Summary: The threesome scene was highlighted as an incredible, shocking moment in the movie. When comparing potential casting for Sam Lombardo, Tom Cruise was suggested over Tom Hanks, noting Cruise’s proximity to Eyes Wide Shut.
Plot Nitpicks: Alligator and Answering the Phone
Copied to clipboard!
(01:48:37)
  • Key Takeaway: A missed opportunity in the plot was the failure to utilize an alligator to kill a character, and the hosts strongly agreed that characters should never stop what they are doing (like sex) to answer a ringing phone.
  • Summary: The hosts noted the plot’s failure to use an alligator for a character’s demise. A major nitpick involved characters answering the phone during intimate moments, which the hosts agreed is unrealistic, especially in the beeper era when important calls would result in a page.
Kelly’s Relationship with Her Mother
Copied to clipboard!
(01:51:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Kelly Van Ryan does not confide in her mother but actively uses her as part of the scheme, suggesting she blames her mother for her father’s death.
  • Summary: The hosts concluded that Kelly is lying to and using her mother as part of the scheme, indicating a deep-seated resentment. They noted that if Kelly hated her mother, she should have killed her earlier to secure the money.
Susie’s Missing Teeth and Money Trail
Copied to clipboard!
(01:52:54)
  • Key Takeaway: Susie’s two missing teeth after the fake bludgeoning scene are a major continuity error, as she has a full set of teeth by the end when she is supposed to be in hiding.
  • Summary: The hosts pointed out that Susie should have been missing teeth when she met Sam on the yacht, as she wouldn’t have had access to dental work while in hiding. They also questioned the traceability of the money spent by Sam, noting large traceable payments to property and yacht brokers.
Kelly’s Survival and Sam’s Role
Copied to clipboard!
(01:56:11)
  • Key Takeaway: Matt Dillon confirmed that Ray was not supposed to kill Kelly Van Ryan, but leaving her alive made no sense given the ’no loose ends’ rule, as her testimony would be damning.
  • Summary: The plan was allegedly only to frame Kelly, not kill her, which the hosts found illogical for Susie and Sam. Sam is ultimately viewed as a Patsy activated by Susie, whose primary motivation in the end was self-preservation due to compromising photos Susie possessed.
Sequel Potential and Prestige TV Fit
Copied to clipboard!
(01:58:21)
  • Key Takeaway: A sequel script called Backstabbers was developed around 2006 continuing Susie’s story, and the director suggested the concept would work well as a prestige TV series.
  • Summary: Neve Campbell reportedly liked the script for Backstabbers, which involved Susie growing up and having a child with Bill Murray’s character. The director felt the concept was better suited for a modern streaming series format.
Casting Wayne Jenkins and Sailor Facts
Copied to clipboard!
(01:59:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Wayne Jenkins from American Vandal was suggested as a perfect fit for a dirty cop role, and Ted Turner was named the most famous sailor.
  • Summary: Wayne Jenkins was proposed as a replacement for Kevin Bacon or as another dirty cop investigating Ray Duquette. The hosts identified Ted Turner as the most famous person known for sailing. They also noted the Chicago accent of the other cop working with Bacon.
Unanswerable Questions and Final Memorabilia
Copied to clipboard!
(02:00:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts debated whether Sam Lombardo played baseball or football at Miami, and whether Sandy Van Ryan killed her father, concluding that the identity of the photographer who took compromising photos of Sam and Kelly is a major unanswered question.
  • Summary: The group debated Sam Lombardo’s sport at Miami, leaning toward baseball, and whether Sandy Van Ryan was responsible for her father’s death. The identity of the person who took the compromising photos of Sam and Kelly remains unknown, possibly Bill Murray or Ken Bowden.
Escaped Criminals’ Location Tropes
Copied to clipboard!
(02:02:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Fugitives in movies almost exclusively flee to tropical beach resorts, ignoring colder locations like ski mountains where they might be less expected.
  • Summary: The hosts observed that characters escaping justice in films like this always choose warm, tropical locales like the Caribbean or Hawaii. They suggested that going to a cold location like a ski resort in Vancouver or Switzerland would be a smarter, unexpected hiding strategy.
Kevin Bacon’s Nudity and Hollow Man
Copied to clipboard!
(02:04:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts believe Kevin Bacon’s no-nudity clause was disingenuous because his penis appeared visibly ‘puffed up’ in the scene, suggesting he wanted it shown, a pattern repeated in Hollow Man.
  • Summary: The appearance of Bacon’s penis in Wild Things contradicts his alleged no-nudity clause, leading the hosts to believe he prepared for the shot. They cited Hollow Man as another instance where Bacon displayed nudity, suggesting he is proud of his physique.
Party of Five and Erotic Thriller Comparisons
Copied to clipboard!
(02:07:06)
  • Key Takeaway: Neve Campbell’s participation in Wild Things would have been beneficial for Party of Five’s ratings, contrasting with the career-damaging fallout Lisa Bonet experienced from Angel Heart.
  • Summary: The hosts felt Campbell’s role in this film should have boosted Party of Five’s visibility, unlike the negative impact Angel Heart had on Lisa Bonet’s career. They also recalled Jamie Walters’ song ‘How Do I Talk to an Angel’ being associated with Party of Five.
Final Awards and Movie Identity
Copied to clipboard!
(02:08:15)
  • Key Takeaway: Sam Lombardo’s ‘Educator of the Year’ trophy was chosen as the best piece of memorabilia, and the film’s success lies in its raw entertainment value without trying to be overly smart or campy.
  • Summary: The trophy for ‘Educator of the Year’ was selected as the most memorable item. The film’s enduring quality stems from its willingness to embrace its identity as raw entertainment, unlike other erotic thrillers that become too dark or self-serious, such as Sliver.