Single White Female Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A woman gets a roommate who’s a little *too* into her, leading to stolen identities, questionable fashion choices, and a deadly stiletto heel incident…because sharing is *not* always caring.

🍿 Single White Female: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Allison’s New Roommate

Allison Jones, a software designer in New York City, decides to find a roommate after discovering her fiancé, Sam, cheated on her. She interviews several candidates and selects Hedra ‘Hedy’ Carlson, a seemingly shy and unassuming woman. Initially, they get along well, and Hedy appears to be the ideal roommate, offering companionship and support during a difficult time.

Increasing Obsession

As Allison reconciles with Sam, Hedy’s behavior becomes increasingly strange and obsessive. She begins mimicking Allison’s style, copying her clothes and hairstyle, and even attempting to isolate Allison from her friends and former fiancé. This behavior escalates as Hedy’s true nature becomes apparent, revealing a darker, more disturbed personality lurking beneath the surface.

Unveiling the Truth

Allison discovers that Hedy is not who she claims to be, uncovering a past trauma involving the death of Hedy’s twin sister. This revelation sheds light on Hedy’s desperate need for connection and her unhealthy obsession with Allison. The situation spirals out of control as Hedy’s actions become more violent and dangerous, threatening Allison’s safety and well-being.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Allison Jones (Bridget Fonda): A software designer whose life spirals out of control after choosing a seemingly perfect roommate.
• Hedra Carlson (Jennifer Jason Leigh): A disturbed woman with a hidden past who becomes dangerously obsessed with her new roommate.
• Sam Rawson (Steven Weber): Allison’s unfaithful fiancé whose attempts at reconciliation complicate the already tense situation.
• Graham Knox (Peter Friedman): Allison’s supportive and perceptive neighbor who tries to help her deal with Hedra’s increasingly strange behavior.
• Mitchell Myerson (Stephen Tobolowsky): Allison’s sleazy client whose predatory behavior adds to the escalating tension and danger.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hedra: “You shouldn’t be alone.” – Hedra says this to Allie early in their friendship, foreshadowing her possessive nature and desire to fill Allie’s loneliness.
• Hedra: “Everything you hated, I hated.” – This quote highlights Hedra’s intense desire to mirror Allie, erasing her own identity in the process.
• Hedra: “I’ll do anything to protect you.” – Said with a chilling calmness, illustrating Hedra’s warped sense of loyalty and justification for her increasingly dangerous actions.
• Allison: “Hedy’s been wonderful. I’m sure she’ll understand.” – Allison says this to Sam, showing how oblivious she is to Hedra’s obsession and how easily she dismisses Hedra’s feelings.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $16,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $48,017,402
• Worldwide Gross: $48,017,402

💥 Single White Female Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I saw ‘Single White Female’ when I was way too young, and it totally freaked me out. Jennifer Jason Leigh was just *amazing* at being creepy. I remember being genuinely scared of her character. There’s a scene where she copies Bridget Fonda’s hairstyle – I still get chills thinking about it! Honestly, even though the ending’s a bit over the top, this movie stuck with me way more than I expected. I wouldn’t want Leigh as my roomate!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in suspenseful roommate dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate strong female leads”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Single White Female effectively taps into the anxieties of urban living and the fear of the unknown lurking beneath a seemingly normal exterior. Leigh delivers a chilling performance as the obsessive roommate, overshadowing Fonda’s portrayal of the victim. A tense thriller that loses some steam in its predictable climax.
• Variety: “Barbet Schroeder’s direction brings a stylish touch to Single White Female, elevating it above typical stalker fare. Jennifer Jason Leigh’s portrayal of a woman with borderline personality disorder is captivating and disturbing. While the film relies on familiar thriller tropes, it delivers enough suspense and skin to keep audiences engaged.
• RogerEbert.com: “Single White Female is a competently made thriller that relies heavily on the performances of its leads. Jennifer Jason Leigh steals the show with her unnerving portrayal of Hedra, a woman whose obsession spirals out of control. The film explores themes of identity and envy but ultimately falls short of delivering a truly memorable experience.

Audience Reactions

Jennifer Jason Leigh’s performance as the unhinged roommate is absolutely unforgettable and truly terrifying.: Viewers praise the film’s suspenseful atmosphere, solid performances, and exploration of female relationships, though some find the ending predictable.

Overall Consensus: Single White Female is a suspenseful psychological thriller, carried by Jennifer Jason Leigh’s memorable performance. While some find the plot predictable, the film remains a notable entry in the early ’90s stalker genre.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Michelle Pfeiffer, Geena Davis, and Demi Moore were considered for the role of Allie Jones.”
• “The film is based on the novel ‘SWF Seeks Same’ by John Lutz.”
• “The filmmakers used the Ansonia, a historic apartment building in Manhattan, for exterior shots, enhancing the film’s atmosphere.”
• “Several scenes were filmed on a soundstage in New York City.”

🖥️ How to Watch Single White Female?

Single White Female is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may also be included with a subscription or offered as a free movie with ads.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Single White Female, you might like these similar films:

• Fatal Attraction (1987): Explores the dangerous consequences of obsession and a scorned lover’s rage, similar to the dynamic between Allie and Hedy.
• The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992): Features a seemingly perfect caretaker who infiltrates a family with sinister intentions, creating a similar sense of unease and threat.
• Poison Ivy (1992): A manipulative young woman insinuates herself into a wealthy family, causing chaos and disruption, comparable to Hedy’s disruption of Allie’s life.
• Obsessed (2009): A modern thriller with similar themes of obsession and stalking, though with a more explicit and action-oriented approach.

🛒 Single White Female Related Products

• Fatal Attraction [Blu-ray]: Experience the original film that inspired a wave of ‘psycho-sexual’ thrillers. Explore the obsession and consequences of betrayal in this timeless classic starring Michael Douglas and Glenn Close.
• Jennifer Jason Leigh Signed Photo: Own a piece of cinematic history with a signed photograph from the talented Jennifer Jason Leigh. This collector’s item celebrates Leigh’s unforgettable performance in Single White Female, perfect for any fan of the film.
• Obsessed Movie Poster Print: A glossy movie poster print of ‘Obsessed’ starring Beyonce Knowles. It is a similar themed movie of obsession starring 2 famous actors with a similar narrative of an intense obsession spiraling into a dangerous confrontation. A classic poster to hang on your wall.
• Stiletto Heel Keychain: A fashionable stiletto heel keychain. A quirky reminder of the film’s most iconic (and deadly) moment, this keychain is a must-have for die-hard fans who appreciate dark humor.

🎧 Soundtrack

Single White Female features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Trio Sonata in C, RV 60” – performed by Antonio Vivaldi (Performed by The Purcell Quartet)
• “Wise Blood” – performed by Front 242
• “Mea Culpa (Part II)” – performed by Enigma

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bridget Fonda Shocking Transformation 2022 – Single White Female Actress Looks Different Today

Ever wondered what Bridget Fonda looks like today? This video shows her transformation from ‘Single White Female’ to now. It’s actually pretty wild to see how much she’s changed!

The Roommate movie review

Think ‘Single White Female’ is the only movie about crazy roommates? Check out this review of ‘The Roommate’ where the reviewer explicitly compares the two movies. It’s kind of funny how similar they are!

Bridget Fonda seen for first time since husband Danny Elfman’s new sexual abuse allegations

Woah, Bridget Fonda was recently spotted in public! It’s a pretty rare sighting, and the video gives you a glimpse of what she’s up to now. Kinda makes you wonder what she thinks about “Single White Female” looking back.

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