The Rewatchables: ‘Wild Things’ (1998)

With Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, and Mallory Rubin
February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, and Mallory Rubin revisit the 1998 film Wild Things, unpacking its place in the erotic thriller genre, its cultural impact, and its famously twisty plot. The panel explores the ways Wild Things embodied late-90s sexual energy, the careers of its stars (notably Denise Richards and Neve Campbell), and the film’s self-aware blend of camp, mystery, and lurid trash. The hosts break down the movie’s most iconic scenes—including the infamous threesome and countless plot twists—and reflect on why films like this feel like relics from a bygone era. Expect candid talk about on-screen sexuality, nostalgia-soaked 1990s context, and plenty of laughter as the hosts oscillate between analysis and irreverence.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. The Golden Age of the Erotic Thriller & the Sexually Charged Late ‘90s

• [04:11] The hosts outline how Wild Things lands at the tail end of the ‘90s erotic thriller boom—alongside Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, Disclosure, and others.
• [06:54] Both Van and Craig reminisce about audience expectations for more explicit content, and the movie’s balance between sexual energy and a convoluted, twisty plot.
  • “I remember being like an hour into the movie, like, yo, is this a courtroom thriller? Like, what the fuck is going on?” —Van Lathan ([06:55])
• [08:03] Discussion of late ‘90s pop culture’s sexual exuberance: Maxim, MTV Spring Break, Girls Gone Wild, WWE’s Attitude Era, Britney Spears, etc. The hosts note how Wild Things slots neatly into this “horny” historical moment.
• [09:44] Van Lathan theorizes that the rise of internet porn removed explicit sexuality from mainstream movies, closing an era where cinematic sex had mainstream cultural impact.
  • “The rise of the Internet and pornography took all that sexuality out of the mainstream... Now it’s back in your pocket.” —Van Lathan ([09:44])

2. Shifting Attitudes Toward On-Screen Nudity

• [14:45] Mallory observes that, compared to today, on-screen nudity in the ‘90s was more in the hands of producers, now it’s in the hands of the stars.
  • “It feels like it was in the hands of the producers and now it's in the hands of the stars.” —Mallory Rubin ([14:45])
• [15:00] Van notes the importance of intimacy coordinators in today’s industry—a shift from the wild west of ‘90s set dynamics.

3. Cast Profiles and Star Archetypes

• [18:01–24:31] Panelists break down Neve Campbell’s and Denise Richards’ trajectories:
  • Campbell’s “one-move” vulnerable, likable archetype, and her brief 90s peak (Party of Five, Scream, Wild Things), including the surprising nature of her casting in such a salacious film.
  • Denise Richards is identified as the quintessential late ‘90s sex symbol, whose career arguably peaked here.
    • “This is like the Dante Culpepper Viking season... you look at Pro Football Reference later, you're like, whoa, those stats were crazy.” —Craig ([06:33])
    • “She is the Jordan 63-point game... She's doing this to the 86 Celtics.” —Craig ([58:53])
  • Both actresses embody the “breaking type” ritual, transitioning from teen TV to adult, often sexualized film roles.
• [31:28] Matt Dillon’s “tweener” status—handsome enough for the lead, sleazy enough for suspicion, and never an A+ Hollywood guy.
• [37:38] Bill Murray’s cameo as a sleazy lawyer stuns the panel, shifting the movie’s tone and “oddly giving it credibility.”
  • “To see him in the movie, it almost in some way gave the movie an odd credibility.” —Van Lathan ([38:28])

4. The Film’s Structure: Plot Twists, Stingers & Camp

• [43:46] Bill and Craig marvel at the film’s excessive, at times confounding number of twists, and the unusual device of the closing credits providing “answers” to the plot.
  • “It’s the only time I’ve ever seen a closing credits where then... they kind of explain the movie.” —Craig ([43:46])
  • “Simultaneously, nothing about the story holds up to scrutiny, but also the fact that it doesn’t is part of its charm.” —Bill Simmons ([44:47])
• [45:44] The hosts discuss shifting hero/villain status among the characters, and the movie’s central thesis—underdog Susie (Neve Campbell) prevailing over the rich and corrupt.

5. Most Memorable Scenes and Sexuality in Context

• [62:38–66:24] Delving into the legendary motel threesome and pool scenes—their legacy and what makes them so memorable (the twist, the eroticism, the cultural context). The panel highlights Matt Dillon’s “yeah” moment in the threesome scene.
  • Mallory: “There's a great moment in the Threesome... in the middle of it, Matt Dillon just goes, yeah.” ([63:45])
  • Van: “Matt Dillon as evil Superman... and he just goes, ‘yeah,’ with the evil Superman Elvis.” ([64:20])
• [66:42] Discussion of the way sexual scenes serve actual plot purposes—unlike “gratuitous” scenes in some other films, these are pivotal to the twists.
  • “It is like a genuine... sex scene that actually has... dramatic purpose.” —Van Lathan ([65:37])

6. The South Florida Setting and Changing Movie Sensibilities

• [53:07] South Florida as a character—its sweaty, sultry atmosphere and class distinctions are praised; the region’s enduring trappings (swamps, wrestling alligators, rich/poor divides) fuel the film’s sense of place.
  • “South Florida is a character.” —Van Lathan ([53:07])
• [71:50] South Florida scandals: sex, money, class warfare—still just as relevant (and entertaining) decades later.

7. What’s Aged Best or Worst?

• Aged Best:
  • The movie’s wild, uninhibited camp.
  • Its reputation as "well-made trash" (Ebert: “incredible lurid trash” –[50:57])
  • Bill Murray's unexpected turn.
  • The enduring aesthetic of goth, short shorts, and “emerging from a pool” movie moments.
• Aged Worst:
  • Gen-Z’s awkward relationship with sex scenes—less appetite for on-screen eroticism ([92:17])
  • The impossibility of the plot in the era of cell phones, social media, and modern forensics.
  • The now-outmoded soundtrack marketing and the decline of the movie soundtrack album ([83:31])
  • Van, on the fate of the erotic thriller: “I think Internet porn ruined it. Ruined it.” ([89:08])

8. Behind-the-Scenes Nuggets & Casting What-Ifs

• Inside stories:
  • Neve Campbell’s strict no-nudity clause due to her Party of Five contract.
  • Kevin Bacon’s contract, the famous accidental “dick shot,” and Bacon allegedly enjoying its notoriety (“Free the Bacon” PSA) ([13:01–13:38]).
  • The extended/unrated DVD releases and how they retroactively changed the movie’s legacy.
  • Rumors and alternate script plans included a gay romance/sex scene between Bacon and Dillon—ultimately cut from the film ([79:22]).
  • Dead body found during filming in actual Florida swamps ([103:04]).
• Casting What-Ifs:
  • Robert Downey Jr. was original choice for Sam but couldn’t be insured ([97:25]).
  • Natasha Lyonne and Tara Reid auditioned for Susie and Kelly, respectively ([99:00]).

9. Awards, Rankings, and Final Words

• Most Rewatchable Scene: Unanimously, the Motel Threesome twist-reveal ([67:38]).
• Most 1998 Thing: Smash Mouth/Third Eye Blind soundtrack, giant camcorder, teacher-student sex plots as mainstream narrative.
• Apex Mountain: Denise Richards (“100% yes!”); Matt Dillon (perhaps his hottest streak); “Emerging from a pool” scene—toss-up with Fast Times at Ridgemont High ([30:48]).
• Who Won the Movie: Denise Richards—the iconic “Jordan 63-point game” of 90s femme fatales.

10. Most Notable Quotes

• “Sweaty masterpiece... Most expensive Lifetime movie ever made.” —Craig ([04:09])
• “There used to be a place in our movie-making culture for well-made trash.” —Van Lathan ([51:17])
• On nudity: “Important stuff. Then you have Neve Campbell... Party of Five... contract didn’t allow for nudity in other projects.” —Bill Simmons ([16:00])
• “I would recommend the unrated extended cut of the pool scene.” —Bill Simmons ([67:48])
• On Bill Murray: “It radically changes the tone of the movie... It’s one of the more emblematic of, like, I don’t quite know how the movie gets away with something that jarring.” —Bill Simmons ([37:52])
• On Kevin Bacon’s infamous scene: “You put the dick in there and then for a second, you’re a little mad, like, why? He put the dick in my face like that. And then you’re like, oh, okay... I know this guy!” —Van Lathan ([17:16])
• “Triple horn got busy... Sharon Stone is over here to play basketball. Just play pickup.” —Craig ([96:30])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:11]—Intro to erotic thriller genre, 90s context
• [08:03]—Late ‘90s sexual energy in pop culture
• [15:00]—Intimacy coordinators and on-set nudity safety
• [30:48]—Pool scene: Denise Richards/Jordan analogy
• [43:46]—Closing credits reveal & convoluted plotting
• [62:38–66:24]—The iconic threesome scene(s) and their significance
• [71:50]—South Florida sex scandals, setting as character
• [83:31]—Death of the blockbuster soundtrack
• [89:08]—Internet porn and the demise of the erotic thriller
• [97:25]—Robert Downey Jr. casting what-if

Memorable Moments & Running Gags

• Repeated joking about “first nine minutes” of sex (Van’s self-aware running bit)
• The “goddamn” category (best moments to elicit a “goddamn” from an audience/dad)
• Ongoing digs at how tame/titillating the movie was for different age groups
• Mallory’s personal story about taking a phone call while losing her virginity ([110:44])
• Ongoing debate about Kevin Bacon “fluffing” before his nude scene
• The “no nudity clause” debate—emphasizing the double standard and the shifting rules around on-screen sex

Conclusion

Wild Things is viewed as the end of an era—a self-aware, purposefully trashy, twist-filled, and deeply rewatchable capsule of 1998’s sexual and cultural id. The movie is interrogated both as a historical document (wherein its plotting feels impossible today) and as a product of a Hollywood that took more risks with on-screen sexuality and camp. The hosts celebrate the film’s excesses, its most memorable (and meme-able) moments, and the odd beauty of “well-made trash” that Hollywood rarely attempts—let alone nails—anymore.

Final recommendation: The episode is a must for fans of the movie and for anyone curious about late-90s pop culture, erotic thrillers, and the evolving role of sex and scandal in Hollywood cinema. The hosting trio provide equal parts nostalgia, critique, and comedy—making this an essential listen even for Wild Things novices.