To Die For
To Die For is a 1995 American satirical black comedy film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Buck Henry, adapted from Joyce Maynard's 1992 novel of the same name.[1][2] The story centers on Suzanne Stone (Nicole Kidman), a cunning and fame-obsessed weather reporter in small-town New Hampshire who manipulates a vulnerable teenager, Jimmy Emmett (Joaquin Phoenix), and his friends into murdering her husband, Larry Maretto (Matt Dillon), to eliminate obstacles to her television career ambitions.[3][2] Loosely inspired by the real-life 1990 Pamela Smart murder case, in which a media consultant orchestrated her husband's killing by seducing a student, the film skewers American media culture, celebrity worship, and unchecked ambition through a mockumentary-style narrative blending interviews and dramatic scenes.[4][5] Featuring supporting performances by Casey Affleck, Illeana Douglas, and Dan Hedaya, To Die For premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 1995, and was theatrically released in the United States on September 27, 1995, by Columbia Pictures.[2] The film grossed $21.3 million at the box office against a $20 million budget, marking a modest commercial success while earning widespread critical praise for its sharp wit, stylistic innovation, and Kidman's transformative portrayal of the sociopathic Suzanne, which propelled her to leading-lady status.[2] Critics lauded the movie's dissection of 1990s media frenzy and gender dynamics, with Roger Ebert awarding it three-and-a-half stars for its "wickedly funny" take on fame's dark side.[1] It holds an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 67 reviews, with the consensus highlighting its "smartly structured" satire and Kidman's "chilling" performance.[2] At the 53rd Golden Globe Awards, Kidman won Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and the film received additional nominations from BAFTA and others, cementing its status as a cult classic in Van Sant's oeuvre.[6][7]Background
Real-life inspiration
The Pamela Smart murder case, which unfolded in 1990, centered on the manipulation of a teenager by his teacher to kill her husband. At the time, 22-year-old Pamela Smart served as the media coordinator at Winnacunnet High School in North Hampton, New Hampshire, where she began a sexual affair with her 15-year-old student, William "Billy" Flynn.[8] Married to 24-year-old insurance salesman Gregg Smart since 1989, Pamela sought to eliminate her husband to pursue her personal ambitions and the illicit relationship without hindrance.[9] She enlisted Flynn along with two other students—16-year-old Patrick Rand and 15-year-old Cecilia Pierce—as accomplices in the plot. On May 1, 1990, Flynn and Rand entered the couple's condominium in Derry, New Hampshire, under the pretense of a burglary, and Flynn fatally shot Gregg Smart once in the head while he walked his dog.[8] Pierce acted as a lookout and later cooperated with authorities by wearing a wire to record incriminating conversations with Smart.[10] Smart's trial in March 1991 marked a milestone as the first murder trial in the United States to be broadcast live on television, amplifying its visibility. Prosecutors argued that Smart orchestrated the murder through emotional and sexual manipulation of the impressionable Flynn, who testified that she threatened to end their affair unless he complied. On March 22, 1991, a Rockingham County jury convicted the 23-year-old Smart of accomplice to first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and tampering with a witness and public servant; she was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.[10] Flynn, Rand, and Pierce all received lesser sentences after pleading guilty—Flynn to 28 years to life for second-degree murder, Rand to a minimum of 30 years in prison for second-degree murder, and Pierce to 13 months in a youth detention center and five years' probation. The involvement of minors and Smart's poised, media-trained persona during the proceedings fueled national fascination with the case.[8] Media coverage of the trial was intensely sensationalized, transforming the story into a tabloid spectacle dominated by themes of forbidden romance, betrayal, and adolescent vulnerability. Networks like CNN and Court TV aired live gavel-to-gavel broadcasts, while print outlets emphasized lurid details such as the group's listening to heavy metal music during planning sessions and Smart's flirtatious interviews, which she gave to outlets like Primetime Live.[11] This frenzy, often dubbed a "media circus," portrayed Smart as a calculating seductress exploiting youthful naivety, drawing comparisons to archetypes like the Black Widow.[12] The case profoundly influenced early 1990s public discourse, igniting debates on media ethics amid concerns that wall-to-wall coverage prejudiced the trial and eroded judicial fairness. It also highlighted teenage susceptibility to adult influence, prompting discussions on youth protection in educational settings, and challenged perceptions of female ambition by vilifying Smart's career-driven motives as dangerously unfettered.[11] These elements later inspired Joyce Maynard's 1992 novel To Die For, upon which the film is based.[9] As of 2025, Smart continues to serve her sentence. In June 2024, she publicly accepted full responsibility for her husband's murder for the first time. A parole board recommended commutation in June 2024, but it was denied by Governor Chris Sununu in November 2024. A subsequent request was denied by Governor Kelly Ayotte in May 2025.[9][8][13]Novel and screenplay development
Joyce Maynard's novel To Die For, published in 1992 by Dutton, fictionalizes elements of the Pamela Smart murder case, centering on protagonist Suzanne Maret, an ambitious and fame-obsessed young woman working as a weather reporter who manipulates two teenagers into murdering her husband to advance her career.[14] Inspired by the high-profile 1991 trial of Pamela Smart, Maynard conceived the story shortly after the verdict, drawing on themes of media sensationalism, gender dynamics in ambition, and the allure of celebrity in American culture.[14] The book quickly became a New York Times bestseller upon its release, praised for its satirical edge and page-turning narrative.[15] Columbia Pictures acquired the film rights to Maynard's novel soon after its publication, aiming to adapt its dark comedic elements into a feature.[16] In 1993, screenwriter Buck Henry was brought on to pen the adaptation, transforming the source material into a script that amplified the satire through a mockumentary format, featuring interview-style confessions and fragmented perspectives to underscore the protagonist's manipulative charisma.[16] Henry's version retained the core plot while sharpening the critique of television media and fame-seeking, drawing on his experience with satirical comedies to blend humor with moral ambiguity.[17] Pre-production advanced in 1993 when independent filmmaker Gus Van Sant was attached to direct, selected for his ability to merge indie sensibilities with mainstream storytelling, as seen in films like Drugstore Cowboy and My Own Private Idaho.[16] Van Sant's involvement marked a shift toward a stylized blend of black comedy and drama, emphasizing visual irony in the mockumentary structure to heighten the story's commentary on ambition and deception. The project was greenlit with a budget of approximately $20 million, positioning it as a mid-range studio production.[3]Production
Casting
Nicole Kidman was cast in the lead role of Suzanne Stone after reading the screenplay and aggressively pursuing the part by obtaining director Gus Van Sant's personal phone number and calling him at home to discuss the character for 40 minutes, convincing him to award her the role over the phone without an audition.[18] Known primarily for dramatic roles in films like Dead Calm (1989) and Days of Thunder (1990) at the time, Kidman prepared by adopting a New England accent to fit the New Hampshire setting and studying footage of local weather reporters to capture Suzanne's on-air persona and ambition.[19][20] Matt Dillon was selected for the role of Larry Maretto due to his prior collaboration with Van Sant on Drugstore Cowboy (1989) and his established everyman charm from 1980s films such as The Flamingo Kid (1984), providing a stark contrast to Kidman's ambitious character.[20] Dillon drew on his experience in lighthearted roles to portray Larry's affable but unwitting nature, emphasizing the character's grounded personality during rehearsals.[18] For the teenage roles central to the story's manipulative dynamic, Joaquin Phoenix was cast as Jimmy Emmett in what marked his first major leading role following supporting parts in Parenthood (1989) and a hiatus from acting; he was selected over actors like Matt Damon due to his intense audition and prior connection to Van Sant via his late brother River Phoenix.[21][20] Casey Affleck, in his film debut as a teenager, was chosen as Russell Hines after auditioning six times on the recommendation of Matt Damon.[22][20] Both Phoenix and Affleck conducted research into juvenile delinquency, observing troubled youth and reviewing case studies to inform their portrayals of impressionable, easily manipulated teens.[20] The supporting cast included Illeana Douglas as Janice Maretto, Kurtwood Smith as the police chief, and Dan Hedaya as Suzanne's father, each bringing established comedic timing to their roles. Wayne Knight appeared briefly as the TV producer, adding a layer of media satire.[23] These actors were selected to complement the leads' performances, with Douglas noted for her chemistry in family scenes during casting callbacks.[20] Director Gus Van Sant conducted auditions in Los Angeles and New York, prioritizing chemistry tests between Kidman and the younger actors to ensure the seduction and manipulation elements felt authentic and unsettling.[20] The emphasis was on natural interactions rather than polished reads, fostering improvisation in rehearsals. The full casting was finalized by mid-1994, allowing principal photography to begin shortly thereafter.[18]Filming
Principal photography for To Die For commenced on April 11, 1994, and concluded on June 22, 1994, spanning roughly 10 weeks under director Gus Van Sant's guidance.[24] The production was filmed almost entirely in and around Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to evoke the small-town New Hampshire ambiance central to the story's inspiration from the Pamela Smart case. Key locations included the Port Hope area for principal small-town exteriors, King City Secondary School standing in for high school interiors, Black River in Georgina for the final skating sequence, and West Montrose's covered bridge for transitional scenes; weather reporting segments were captured at local Toronto television studios to simulate authentic broadcast environments.[24][25] Cinematographer Eric Alan Edwards employed a mix of 35mm and 16mm film stocks, with the mockumentary-style interviews specifically shot on 16mm to underscore the film's satirical, faux-documentary tone. The murder sequence utilized practical effects to preserve the black comedy's restraint, avoiding graphic gore in favor of implication and dark humor.[26][27] Challenges during shooting included the modest $20 million budget, which necessitated Van Sant's characteristically efficient independent filmmaking approach with limited retakes. Nicole Kidman's rigorous character immersion occasionally prompted on-set improvisations that enriched scenes.[20] In post-production, editor Curtiss Clayton began assembling footage in Toronto while principal photography was ongoing, enabling a swift editor's cut upon wrap; his work emphasized the film's non-linear structure, seamlessly interweaving interview segments with the core narrative to heighten the satirical edge.[20]Synopsis
Plot
In the small town of Little Hope, New Hampshire, during the early 1990s, ambitious young woman Suzanne Stone, portrayed by Nicole Kidman, marries her high school sweetheart Larry Maretto, played by Matt Dillon, envisioning a life of domestic stability but harboring dreams of becoming a renowned television weather reporter.[28] Frustrated by Larry's contentment with managing the family ice cream parlor and their routine suburban existence, Suzanne views her marriage as a barrier to her aspirations for fame and begins seeking opportunities to advance her career.[2] To fund her ambitions and gain media exposure, Suzanne takes a job at a local diner, where she encounters two aimless teenage high school dropouts: the impressionable Jimmy Emmett, portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, and his friend Russell Hines, played by Casey Affleck.[28] Charismatic and manipulative, Suzanne seduces Jimmy with promises of a romantic relationship and stardom, while drawing both teens into her orbit by flattering their egos and suggesting she can help them appear on television through a documentary project she pitches as a way to explore youth culture.[1] Her interactions with them highlight her calculated use of sex and celebrity allure to control others, escalating as she confides her dissatisfaction with Larry. Determined to eliminate Larry as an impediment to her independence and career, Suzanne orchestrates his murder by convincing the infatuated Jimmy to shoot him during a fierce blizzard, instructing him to stage the crime as a botched burglary and dispose of the body in the woods.[28] The plan succeeds initially, with Larry's death ruled an accident amid the storm, allowing Suzanne to exploit the tragedy for sympathy and publicity; she delivers tearful interviews to local news outlets as the bereaved widow, which catapults her into a position as a weather anchor at a cable station.[2] The narrative unfolds in a nonlinear structure, intercut with mockumentary-style interviews conducted by an unseen documentarian, featuring reflections from Suzanne's family, friends, and the teens on her relentless drive and the events preceding the murder, thereby satirizing the sensationalism of true-crime television and media exploitation of personal stories.[1] These segments reveal backstories, such as Suzanne's obsession with on-screen perfection inspired by classic Hollywood icons and Jimmy's vulnerable, directionless life marked by family neglect. Suzanne's facade crumbles as guilt consumes Russell, who confesses the plot to a priest, prompting police involvement, while Jimmy's emotional unraveling leads him to confront Suzanne and inadvertently expose her role through erratic behavior and recorded interviews.[28] Arrested and tried, Suzanne shifts blame to the teens and is acquitted, attempting to spin the scandal into further notoriety. However, Larry's father arranges her murder, and the film ends with her body frozen under a lake as Janice skates over it, on a darkly comedic note critiquing unchecked ambition, the commodification of tragedy by media, and rigid gender expectations in a society that rewards female beauty over substance.[29][30]Cast
The principal cast of To Die For includes several standout performances in key roles.[23]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nicole Kidman | Suzanne Stone | The ambitious, manipulative protagonist aspiring to media stardom as a weather reporter with dreams of becoming a national news anchor.[2][3] |
| Matt Dillon | Larry Maretto | Suzanne's devoted but ordinary husband, who works in his family's ice cream business.[3][31] |
| Joaquin Phoenix | Jimmy Emmett | A vulnerable high school dropout drawn into Suzanne's web.[3][32] |
| Casey Affleck | Russell Hines | Jimmy's dim-witted best friend and accomplice.[3][31] |
| Illeana Douglas | Janice Maretto | Larry Maretto's sister and a professional ice skater who suspects Suzanne's motives.[3][1] |