The River Wild

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The River Wild

PG-13,

1994,

1h 51m,

Action

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65%

40 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

25,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

40 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Fast-paced thriller in which a young family on a white-water rafting adventure in Montana are taken hostage by a pair of dangerous fugitives. The rafting holiday - a birthday gift for the New England couple's ten-year-old son - turns into a nightmare when the two armed killers take control and try to force the mother, a proficient rafter, to use her skills to help them escape down the treacherous rapids.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Feb 12, 2024

This is the movies, and director Curtis Hanson throws so much water at us that we are too enjoyably discomposed to think anyway.

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Geoff Brown

The Times (UK)

Feb 12, 2024

Go and have fun; and wear waterproof clothing.

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Sheila Johnston

Independent (UK)

Feb 12, 2024

The film is energetically directed by Curtis Hanson, and it's certainly a refreshing change to see an action heroine at the helm, bossing all the men about.

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Justin LaLiberty

Screen Slate

Aug 25, 2026

It’s a taut, impressively economical domestic thriller played out in the open, a textbook example of how to mash sub-genres together and not only make it work, but craft something wholly unique in the process.

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Philip French

Observer (UK)

Feb 12, 2024

The sympathetic characters are likeable, the chief villain someone you hope to see blown away, the stuntwork on the rapids is terrific.

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Quentin Falk

Sunday Mirror (UK)

Feb 10, 2024

3/5

Meryl Streep proves she's an all-acting heroine in The River Wild, an exciting though predictable outdoor thriller.

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Feb 2, 2019

The best movie character ever portrayed: Meryl Streep as Gail!

George W

Nov 15, 2018

Another perfect in all aspect movie.

Draco S

Sep 22, 2018

A few times the movie flirts with being a serious examination of masculinity's futility, but ultimately its just a silly thriller that's well directed and acted enough to warrant a viewing.

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George S

Aug 8, 2017

Ooooooooooooooooh.....Kevin Bacon is such a mother fucker in this movie! His comeuppance isn't nearly as satisfying as it should be in the end but aside from that this is a top notch little thriller. Curtis Hanson's isn't quite as dynamic in the river rafting scenes as we might like but he does a masterful job of keeping the tension high and delicious throughout. It's a shame we haven't seen Meryl do more action-oriented stuff. She can be quite the badass.

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Finn P

Jan 24, 2017

Director, Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential, 8 Mile) delivers a great thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Academy Award Winner, Meryl Streep, plays a great character and partners with David Strathairn. Kevin Bacon and John C. Reilly, play very chilling roles as the two criminals on the run from justice. Overall, Director, Curtis Hanson knows how to direct thrillers with very talented actors. The screenplay by writer, Denis O'Neill, is both comedic and lighthearted in some moments, and very suspenseful and thrilling in others. This film also deals with family drama, but does it in a way to where you're not bored, but instead you dig it. Kevin Bacon brings some comedic relief, but at the same time can be very intense and creepy. Bacon plays a great villain along side John C. Reilly, who can be understanding, and just as intense. The chemistry between Streep and Bacon in this film is very great, and overall, this film is exciting, thrilling, and overall a great watch.

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Poe S

Jan 22, 2017

A good, solidly entertaining movie that's a little underrated in my view. Kevin Bacon makes for a convincing villain here and Meryl Streep, whilst not really having to stretch herself, is nicely cast and does a great job. The ending seems slightly ham-fisted but that's my only real criticism. A decent story, if a little predictable.

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Curtis Hanson

Director

Meryl Streep

Gail Hartman

Kevin Bacon

Wade

David Strathairn

Tom Hartman

Joseph Mazzello

Roarke Hartman

John C. Reilly

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Synopsis

Fast-paced thriller in which a young family on a white-water rafting adventure in Montana are taken hostage by a pair of dangerous fugitives. The rafting holiday - a birthday gift for the New England couple's ten-year-old son - turns into a nightmare when the two armed killers take control and try to force the mother, a proficient rafter, to use her skills to help them escape down the treacherous rapids.

Director: Curtis Hanson
Producer: David Foster, Lawrence Turman
Screenwriter: Denis O'Neill
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, David Foster Productions, Turman-Foster Company
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 30, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $46.5M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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