Single White Female (1992)
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A woman becomes increasingly alarmed by the unsettling behavior of her new roommate who seems intent on mirroring her life.
The story
New York City software designer Allison "Allie" Jones is engaged to Sam Rawson. After a falling out with her fiancé, she finds a new roommate, Hedra Carlson. While they initially become friends, Allie begins to notice unsettling behaviors from Hedra, including the acquisition of identical clothing and a disturbing obsession with Allie's personal life. As the boundaries between their identities begin to blur, Allie must navigate the escalating tension and the realization that her roommate's intentions are far more dangerous than she initially suspected.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After breaking off her engagement to Sam Rawson, Allie Jones takes in a roommate named Hedra. Hedra begins a campaign of psychological manipulation, mimicking Allie's appearance and stalking her movements. After a business associate, Mitchell, tries to exploit Allie, Hedra intervenes and eventually kills him. Hedra then impersonates Allie to deceive Sam, but when he refuses to be fooled, she murders him. Allie discovers the truth and is taken hostage by Hedra, who intends to force Allie to live as her 'sister.' After a violent confrontation in an apartment where Graham Knox is also injured, Hedra believes she has killed Allie in an elevator. However, Allie fakes her death and eventually confronts Hedra in a basement, where she fatally stabs her. In the aftermath, Allie reflects on the tragedy and attempts to find peace.
- First release year
- 1992
- Runtime (minutes)
- 108
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Barbet Schroeder
- Writers
- Don Roos · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Bridget Fonda · Allison "Allie" Jones; Jennifer Jason Leigh · Hedra "Hedy" Carlson / Ellen Besch; Steven Weber · Sam Rawson; Peter Friedman · Graham Knox; Stephen Tobolowsky · Mitchell Myerson; Krystle Mataras · Judy Besch
- Genres
- psychological erotic thriller; drama
- Themes
- identity; obsession; psychopathology
- Tone and mood
- thrillingly tense; suspenseful
- Premise and plot tags
- stalking; identity theft; twin trope; home invasion
- Source material / true-story basis
- SWF Seeks Same by John Lutz
- Franchise connections
- Single White Female
- Reception
- The film was a box office success and became a cult favorite, though it received mixed reviews from critics who praised the lead performances.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 53% · scale: percentage · review count: 49; Metacritic · score: 63 · scale: 100 · review count: 25
- Awards and nominations
- MTV Movie Award · Best Villain · win; Chicago Film Critics Association Award · Best Actress · nomination
- Production trivia
- The ending was reshot after a poor test screening.; The film was a success in the home video market, ranking in the top 20 in 1993.; The exterior of the apartment block was filmed at The Ansonia in New York City.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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