Cape Fear (1991) - Full Reaction
Added 2025-04-13 04:00:25 +0000 UTCThis was our second place movie madness winner, Houston=Cape Fear. Oh my gosh this was unsettling and disturbing! I have never seen that side of DeNiro and he was scary good at it. Not going to lie, i had nightmares after this one, Carly would have died.
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Comments
Compared to how tense, realistic and suspenseful the original is, this version seems weirdly campy and over the top. Seems like a case of less is more. This Cady just seemed like a two dimensional, insane, discount T-Bag from Prison Break.
Sophie Gallo
2025-05-19 22:15:30 +0000 UTCActually, this film is the remake. The Simpsons episode is a parody of the remake.
Silver Machine
2025-04-22 22:46:33 +0000 UTCWait a minute, didn't the Simpsons do a remake of this? With Sideshow Bob.
Zachary K. (Swiftie)
2025-04-22 02:10:36 +0000 UTCYeah that's true. She's like a seasoned veteran at this point. The jump scares still borderline insane, though. lol
Chris Thom
2025-04-17 11:33:41 +0000 UTCImmediately jumps to my short list of all-time favorite reactions. I envision how much differently you would have handled this one 2+ years ago when I first encountered you. Amazing how much you’ve evolved Cassie, you’re such a trooper! And definitely an early favorite for jump scare Poppie lol
Ryan Woodmansee
2025-04-17 08:16:27 +0000 UTCI like this version of Cape Fear, but it’s not one of my favorite films. This film does a terrific job at making you feel uncomfortable, which given the subject matter is probably a good accomplishment. But the original Cape Fear (1962), exceeds the remake in being completely Terrifying. Robert De Niro’s, Max Cady, is so over the top, that you kind of get the feeling of him being a supernatural monster that can’t be killed. A Freddy Krueger or Jason Voorhees type that never actually goes away. The last time we see De Niro’s Cady, do we know for sure he’s dead?? Nothing against De Niro’s performance. He certainly created a Classic horrific villainous character that will forever give viewers nightmares. But, Robert Mitchum’s, Max Cady, is something different. Something more realistic and closer to home. Something even more terrifying for different, quieter reasons. There’s a scene in the original where Cady is telling Sam Bowden about something he did after getting out of jail, that I wish had been kept in for the remake. It perfectly informs you of just how terrifying this character is and it allows your own imagination to do its job. Your imagination can be scarier than anything anyone could show you on screen. Scorsese added family dysfunction to the Bowdens, which it’s a shame to say, for me lessened the fear I had for them. The certain unlikable qualities the Bowdens had, such as Sam’s cockiness and deception, Leigh’s antagonizing of Sam and selfishness, and Danielle’s bratty behavior… almost makes you feel like, they’re getting what’s coming to them. Cassie even said in the outro… “Crazy part is… is that he (Cady) did the crime. It would be one thing, if he (Sam) ignored evidence and (Cady) was put away being innocent.” This is just how most people feel, whether we admit it or not. If a person is wronged or persecuted for something they were innocent of, then that person has a reason or “right” to wrong or persecute back. And the less righteous a character is, the less right they have to happiness or safety. This is where the “Virgin/Final Girl” character stems from in horror films. As long as a character maintains innocence, they are a Hero and you fear for their safety. The moment you find out they did something unscrupulous or dishonest, then their life becomes fair game in a sense and their possible death more justifiable. The dysfunction within the remake’s Bowden family might actually be more realistic than the original film’s Leave it to Beaver type Bowden family… but paired with De Niro’s “superhuman” Max Cady, the film comes off more like a Psychological Horror film vs the original, which was more of a Psychological Thriller. If Robert Mitchum’s, Max Cady was paired with the dysfunctional Bowden family… then that might have been the way to go. But, seeing the character of Max Cady go after a family like Leave it to Beaver, or Ozzie and Harriet, or Andy Griffith or Donna Reed… that’s just a bit more shocking and terrifying to me, IMO. Please keep the original Cape Fear (1962) on your short list. It would be a very interesting comparison reaction. It would also be very interesting to hear your thoughts on the differences.
Larry Darrell
2025-04-13 21:47:27 +0000 UTCVery true. Well said. Even closer friends sometimes you have to pay attention to what their actual agendas are, or possible resentments. It can be exhausting trying to figure it out. But it's best not to be totally caught off guard.
Chris Thom
2025-04-13 21:34:24 +0000 UTCThis was my first time watching this movie. Disturbing. This is why you have to be careful and pay attention. You never know when you may come across someone with issues. And you must be prepared. You must always be aware of your surroundings and people around you. I am not saying you have to be paranoid or afraid. Just be aware of the world around you. Don't be so focused on what you are doing that you don't notice the world around you. I have been in situations that have taught me to keep my head up and watch the world around me. To be aware. I see to many people walking around head in their phone or headphones on not paying attention to anything. Very stressful and powerful reaction, Cassie. I hope you didn't have to many bed dreams. Thank you.
Rick Williams
2025-04-13 20:19:05 +0000 UTCDeNiro did transform in this role. I would say it stands out in his list of movies but he has done it all and has unlimited range as an actor.
Matt Jamison
2025-04-13 06:06:15 +0000 UTCAnd I loved her in Yellowjackets
DAVID COSTELLO
2025-04-13 05:49:47 +0000 UTCYeah this was definitely no-go for Carly.
Chris Thom
2025-04-13 05:34:26 +0000 UTCDefinitely, the original Cape Fear is a better movie. I don't dislike the re-make. As I've stated before, I think Nick Nolte is very good in this movie. I just feel that Robert DeNiro, while terrifying, is too over-the-top.
Mark Vaderr
2025-04-13 05:32:03 +0000 UTCYeah. Did not know she had a stalker. Scary thought.
DAVID COSTELLO
2025-04-13 05:30:45 +0000 UTCShe was really good in Kalifornia with Brad. Heartbreaking performance.
Chris Thom
2025-04-13 05:28:35 +0000 UTC“Well, pardon me all over the place.”
Mark Pitta
2025-04-13 05:27:44 +0000 UTCShe did? I'll never know what Hollywood executives saw in her. She was never that talented to begin with.
Mark Vaderr
2025-04-13 05:24:45 +0000 UTCI always associated the Cape Fear music with Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons rather than the actual film
Pat Waters
2025-04-13 05:12:38 +0000 UTCJuliette Lewis was the It Girl in the 1990s. She even dated Brad Pitt for a while. She just had a smoldering sexuality.
TheSingulatarian
2025-04-13 05:10:26 +0000 UTCCrazy to see the lead actor and director of Goodfellas follow up with this movie.
Joe Mallard
2025-04-13 05:00:47 +0000 UTCRobert Mitchum, Gregory Peck, and Martin Balsam, who starred in the original 1962 film, all have cameos in this remake. A tour de force performance by Robert De Niro, and another example of why he’s one of the greatest actors of our time.
Dan M
2025-04-13 05:00:09 +0000 UTCThe Night of the Hunter
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2025-04-13 04:26:56 +0000 UTCI can't wait to watch this. My parents let me watch this when I was seven...SEVEN! Next De Niro movie I saw was Awakenings. I had no idea it was the same actor.
Rick Rodriguez
2025-04-13 04:21:57 +0000 UTCIt's not even Halloween! It's spring! Was reading an old review of this from the NY Times and I got reminded of a pretty horrible scene in the movie that I'd completely forgotten about. Sorry, that really deserved a warning. Been a while since I'd seen it but I do remember it being intense. Just didn't remember all the gritty details.
Chris Thom
2025-04-13 04:21:11 +0000 UTCDirty Rotten Scoundrels if you're ready for some comedy. We could all use some laughs right now.
Grinznmore
2025-04-13 04:21:02 +0000 UTCAgreed
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2025-04-13 04:20:01 +0000 UTCGood movie. Great cast. So intense and definitely nightmare fuel. Totally agree, it would have crushed Carly.
Michael West
2025-04-13 04:13:07 +0000 UTCThis is the first DeNiro movie I ever watched. I was in my teens and let’s just say I also had nightmares 😳
Wes
2025-04-13 04:13:02 +0000 UTCVery brave seeing this at night!! Lol Yup Carley would have been petrified’ Eeesh!!
Jason Henderson
2025-04-13 04:12:02 +0000 UTCI highly recommend “The Executioners”, the basis for both this film and the 1962 original. The author, John D. MacDonald, was an absolute master of the mystery/suspense/thriller genre. He was very active in the 1950s and 1960s, at which time he began his most well known series of books, the Travis McGee series. There were roughly two dozen books in the series, ranging up until the early 1980s (when MacDonald passed away). McGee is a “salvage consultant” that recovers lost/stolen property for people, lives on his houseboat (the “Busted Flush”, which he won in a card game) and drives around in a vehicle whose front end is a Rolls Royce and whose back end is the bed of a pick up truck. The Travis McGee character, despite seeming to be perfect for Hollywood adaptations, has only starred in a couple of movies. In one, the character was played by none other than Sam Elliott.
Just Plain Bob
2025-04-13 04:11:55 +0000 UTCMystic River
Mark T
2025-04-13 04:09:11 +0000 UTCVery versatile cast, such an early 90s style of movie. Great supporting cast as well, Deniro s character was so crazy and unhinged, and creepy as well. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. Very disturbing to watch, but very suspenseful as well! Hope everyone enjoys it! 👍🍿! Great for a laonight flick!
Jason Henderson
2025-04-13 04:06:44 +0000 UTCAs good as this one is, in my opinion the original with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum in the lead roles is better!
John
2025-04-13 04:04:08 +0000 UTCThe original movie with Robert Mirhcum is just as good. PS: Still thinking of a new movie to suggest. Gimme time
Bill Maurer
2025-04-13 04:02:32 +0000 UTCWhen I saw Carly’s name I thought for a second she did join you. Phew😅
Cole Jennett
2025-04-13 04:02:15 +0000 UTC
