Loosely based on an actual 1981 murder case, the film stars Crispin Glover, Keanu Reeves, Ione Skye, Daniel Roebuck, and Dennis Hopper. It focuses on a group of disaffected northern California teenagers who become embroiled in a crime when the girlfriend of one of their classmates is found murdered on a riverbank. Often cited as an example of nihilistic youth-oriented cinema, it has been cited as one of the darkest teen films ever made and I think served as a progenitor for films like Harmony Korine's "Kids" (1995), among others. I think it is a minor masterpiece, but it's not a pleasant watch.
I always found Dennis Hopper to be a fascinating actor. Young Keanu was gorgeous and Crispin Glover was strange but good. Not a bad movie.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | April 30, 2025 1:53 AM |
One of my favorites. Great casting, Crispin Glover is perfect as the over-the-top asshole. Daniel Robuck's performance as a person lacking any moral compass or compassion is frightening. Everyone in this movie is pitch-perfect.
by Anonymous | reply 3 | April 30, 2025 4:04 PM |
I just saw this last night, as it's free on Prime Video now for members. Totally wowed. Everyone is great in it. I don't know if anyone detected any undertones of gay love interest between John and Lane? Why was Lane so obsessed with John? John said Lane didn't really know him. The little brother (Tim) to Keanu was super creepy and terrifying, along with the John character who was a sociopath.
Dennis Hopper was fantastic. Ione was indeed, very beautiful in the film.
It cracks me up because I totally recognize this area as So Cal/Tujunga/Sunland, except for the river scenes which were shot in Sacramento and Carmichael.
by Anonymous | reply 4 | October 14, 2025 3:38 PM |
I just looked up Daniel Roebuck on IMDb to see what he’s been up to and he is in like 50 upcoming projects. None of them are noteworthy but still…
by Anonymous | reply 5 | October 14, 2025 3:52 PM |
I had been recommended it River’s Edge so many times that by the time I did see it I was pleased that it was nothing like I expected.
by Anonymous | reply 6 | October 14, 2025 3:54 PM |
I always liked Roxana Zal.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | October 14, 2025 4:22 PM |
I have vague memories of renting this movie in the early 90s with a group of friends who basically lived in a constant drug / party house. In retrospect, they were probably also sociopaths. I think that’s one reason I’ve never wanted to re-watch it. An uncomfortable experience on several levels.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | October 14, 2025 4:23 PM |
In her autobiography, Skye mentions she was head over heels with Keanu, but he didn’t reciprocate.
by Anonymous | reply 9 | October 14, 2025 4:42 PM |
R9 he didn't seem to be into her in their park scenes in the film. More of a friend thing.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | October 14, 2025 4:43 PM |
Joshua John Miller, who plays Tim, is the younger half-brother of Jason Patric.
by Anonymous | reply 11 | October 14, 2025 5:34 PM |
R7 I loved Roxana! She was in the tearjerker movie "Table for Five" that the dumb show "Party of Five" was based on. She was also getting banged by Ted Danson while G looked the other way in "Something about Amelia" a very special TV movie.
I loved this movie! I had it on VHS and my friends and I would watch this, "Weird Science" and then cap it off with Geraldo getting his nose broken by a skinhead. All those were in my VHS collection. Crispin was so fucking annoying in this. And I still hate this kid!
by Anonymous | reply 12 | October 15, 2025 1:57 AM |
There's a few scenes of Ione Sky coming and going from her home. Off screen her parent asks if she's at the door and you never see that parent. It's a small touch that fills in a lot of the story.
Parents are checked out.
by Anonymous | reply 13 | October 15, 2025 3:39 AM |