Body Heat
Seen it?1981 | 113 min | Thriller, Crime
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Cape Fear or Cool Hand Luke, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, gritty.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 53 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence and sex.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
During an extreme heatwave, a beautiful Florida woman and a seedy lawyer engage in an affair while plotting the murder of her rich husband.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$24 million worldwide on a $9 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 257K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Cape Fear Saturday SpecialAnother prison crime thriller, and a Saturday Special.
Bad Boys for Life
Sunday Safe BetAnother prison crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Cool Hand Luke
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed prison crime story.
The Last Seduction Sunday Safe BetAnother crime thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Touch of Evil Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime thriller.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan
- William HurtNed Racine
- Kathleen TurnerMatty Walker
- Richard CrennaEdmund Walker
- Ted DansonPeter Lowenstein
- J.A. PrestonOscar Grace
- Mickey RourkeTeddy Lewis
- Kim ZimmerMary Ann
- Jane HallarenStella
- Lanna SaundersRoz Kraft
- Carola McGuinnessHeather Kraft