Fear (1996) Movie Review

 Picture this: Imagine a dad with a teenage daughter who's dipping her toes into the dating world. He's got this nightmare scenario straight out of a suspense movie like James Foley's “Fear.”

Here's the setup: The daughter, all innocent and convinced she's met Prince Charming, brings home a guy who gives off major creepy vibes. He's slick like a salesperson but has eyes that could give you chills. When the dad tries to warn her that this dude's bad news, she brushes it off because, to her, he's always overreacting about her boyfriends anyway.

But this time, he's spot on.

“Fear” is part of this trend where people you trust turn out to be total nightmares. We've seen it with crazy step-parents, nanny horror stories, and now, the dreaded boyfriend.

There's a definite pattern to these movies, and “Fear” follows it to a tee. The writer, Christopher Crowe, knows the drill, having penned similar flicks like “Whispers in the Dark.” While “Fear” is a step up, with slick direction and solid acting, don't expect any big surprises if you're familiar with the genre.

In “Fear,” Mark Wahlberg plays the sketchy boyfriend, while Reese Witherspoon is the daughter who brings him home. William Petersen is the dad, Amy Brenneman is the stepmom, and Christopher Gray is the stepbrother.

The opening credits of "Fear" give off a vibe like you're in for a wild jungle adventure, setting the tone for what's to come. Mark Wahlberg's character, David McCall, is portrayed as a predator, with Nicole as his prey and Steve Walker, played by William Petersen, as the hunter trying to protect her. There's a scene where David is chasing someone through the woods, edited to mimic the violence of nature when a predator hunts down its prey.

The title "Fear" hits the nail on the head. It taps into every parent's fear of not being able to shield their kids from harm. The heart of the movie lies in the relationship between Steve and Nicole, capturing the tension between a concerned father and his rebellious daughter as she grows up and seeks affection elsewhere.

Fathers often struggle with the idea of losing their role in their daughters' lives, especially when they're replaced by someone like David, who seems sketchy with no clear background. Petersen delivers a strong performance, taking Steve through a rollercoaster of emotions, from suspicion to fury, making the film's climax powerful.

Reese Witherspoon convincingly portrays Nicole's teenage infatuation, while Alyssa Milano adds depth as her troubled best friend. However, the film's weak point is Wahlberg's portrayal of David. While he nails the psychopathic vibe, his attempts to charm Nicole's family come off more comical than menacing.

Parents hoping "Fear" will serve as a cautionary tale for their daughters should brace themselves for uncomfortable scenes, including one during a rollercoaster ride that challenges the idea of family-friendly amusement parks.

In short, "Fear" earns its R rating with its intense violence, sexual content, and strong language. Directed by James Foley and produced by Brian Grazer, it's a gripping thriller that delves into the dark side of teenage romance.