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The Crush
1993 89 min United States of America R 18+
★5.5
Thriller, Drama
Director: Alan Shapiro
Trailers
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EN
Description
A precocious and obsessive teenager develops a crush on a naive writer with harrowing consequences.
Budget:
$6M
US Gross:
$13.61M
Worldwide:
$13.61M
Starring
Cary Elwes
Actor
Alicia Silverstone
Actor
Jennifer Rubin
Actor
Awards
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1994
— Breakthrough of the Year
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1994
— Best Villain
MTV Movie & TV Awards 1994
— Most Desirable Woman
Key opinion
The early‑90s thriller is most noted for Alicia Silverstone’s striking debut and its stark depiction of obsessive adolescent desire, though reviewers concur the script remains thin and the story feels heavily derivative of Lolita. While tension and direction are praised for their atmospheric intensity, the film’s limited narrative depth and derivative premise keep it a niche curiosity rather than a critical triumph.
| Acting | Silverstone’s raw, unsettling performance anchors every scene with visceral intensity. | |
| Screenplay | The skeletal plot and undercooked dialogue leave the thriller reliant on performances rather than narrative depth. | |
| Theme | Its unflinching portrayal of adolescent obsession and toxic power dynamics provokes both admiration and discomfort, dividing viewers on whether the theme is daring or exploitative. | |
| Direction | Shapiro crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere that heightens tension, yet his handling of character motives feels uneven, sparking debate on its effectiveness. | |
| Originality | While some praise its fresh psychological angle, others condemn it as derivative of classic Lolita narratives, making its originality a contentious point. |