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Poison Ivy
1992 92 min United States of America R 18+
★5.6
Thriller, Drama
Director: Katt Shea
Trailers
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Description
A seductive teen befriends an introverted high school student and schemes her way into the lives of her wealthy family.
Budget:
$3M
US Gross:
$1.83M
Worldwide:
$1.83M
Starring
Drew Barrymore
Actor
Sara Gilbert
Actor
Tom Skerritt
Actor
Awards
Sundance Film Festival 1992
— Grand Jury Prize (Drama)
Key opinion
Poison Ivy is generally remembered as a quintessential 90s erotic thriller, largely defined by the magnetic and seductive central performance of Drew Barrymore. While audiences and critics frequently praise its atmospheric tension and psychological dynamics, opinions diverge significantly on the quality of its screenplay and the execution of its climactic conclusion.
| Acting | Drew Barrymore anchors the film with a magnetic, sexually charged performance that effectively captures the predatory yet lonely nature of Ivy. | |
| Score | The film utilizes an evocative, haunting score that successfully enhances the erotic and melancholy mood of the production. | |
| Production | The film effectively captures a specific, nostalgic 90s erotic thriller atmosphere characterized by rainy, moody interiors and a deliberate, slow-burn tension. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative is viewed by some as a compelling exploration of psychological manipulation and female power, while others dismiss the plot as a collection of tired thriller clichés. | |
| Pacing | While some viewers find the slow, methodical pace rewarding for the psychological buildup, others find the film to be sluggish and in need of tighter editing. | |
| Ending | The climax is polarized, with some finding it a fittingly dramatic resolution while others label it an incoherent and lazy conclusion that undermines the story. |