To Die For (1995)

To Die For (1995) — Overview To Die For is a darkly comic crime drama centered on Suzanne Stone (Nicole Kidman), an alluring, ruthlessly ambitious woman who dreams of television stardom and will stop at nothing to get it. Set in the small coastal town of Little Hope, New Hampshire, the film follows Suzanne as she marries blue-collar Larry Maretto, maneuvers her way into a lowly TV job, and pursues a documentary about local teenagers — a project she uses to manipulate vulnerable young people into serving her goals. Watching the film, you’ll experience a sharp, satirical look at celebrity worship and moral emptiness: scenes alternate between glossy self-promotion, awkward documentary footage, and mounting suspense as suspicion grows that Suzanne engineered Larry’s death. The story unfolds partly through interviews and media coverage, giving the movie a quasi-documentary feel that heightens the unease and keeps you guessing about truth and motive. Kidman’s icy charisma anchors the piece, making Suzanne both magnetic and chilling as she seduces and corrupts those around her. Tonally the film shifts between black comedy and tense crime melodrama — moments of biting satire and cringe-worthy humor sit alongside disturbing choices and their emotional fallout. Expect an unsettling, provocative character study about ambition’s cost, with a strong focus on manipulation, consequence, and how small-town life and media exposure can warp people. Recommended for viewers who like smart, morally ambiguous dramas with dark humor and a strong central performance. Viewer discretion: mature themes, manipulation, and violent crime.

Actors: Nicole Kidman, Matt Dillon, Joaquin Phoenix

Director: Gus Van Sant

Runtime: 106 min

Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama

6.3 /10 86 /100 6.8 /10 7.2 /10