Poison Ivy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A poor teen befriends a rich teen, then tries to steal her entire life, including her dad…and almost gets away with it!

🍿 Poison Ivy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Chance Encounter

Sylvie Cooper, a shy and privileged high school student, finds an unlikely friend in Ivy, a rebellious and alluring classmate. Ivy quickly captivates Sylvie with her confidence and street smarts, offering her a glimpse into a world far removed from her sheltered life. Sylvie, feeling increasingly isolated due to her mother’s illness and her father’s emotional distance, welcomes Ivy’s attention.

Ivy’s Infiltration

As Sylvie’s mother grows weaker, Ivy inserts herself deeper into the Cooper family’s life. She charms Sylvie’s father, Darryl, and provides emotional support, seemingly filling the void left by Sylvie’s mother’s declining health. However, Ivy’s intentions are far from pure, as she secretly desires to take over Sylvie’s life and enjoy the family’s wealth and status.

Deception and Manipulation

Ivy’s manipulative nature becomes increasingly evident as she sabotages Sylvie’s relationships and isolates her from her friends. She weaves a web of lies and deceit, playing on the family’s vulnerabilities to her advantage. Ivy’s ultimate goal is to replace Sylvie entirely, eliminating any obstacles in her path.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ivy (Drew Barrymore): A seductive and manipulative teenager who infiltrates the lives of a wealthy family.
• Sylvie Cooper (Sara Gilbert): An introverted high school student who befriends Ivy and becomes entangled in her schemes.
• Georgie Cooper (Cheryl Ladd): Sylvie’s mother, a wealthy woman battling illness and oblivious to Ivy’s true nature.
• Darryl Cooper (Tom Skerritt): Sylvie’s father, a successful businessman who becomes a target of Ivy’s manipulations.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ivy: “I’m not like those other girls. I’m, like, bad.” – Ivy’s declaration to Sylvie when trying to establish a bond with her.
• Ivy: “You think you can just buy your way out of everything?” – Ivy’s confrontational statement during a heated argument, highlighting class differences.
• Sylvie Cooper: “I just don’t understand why my mom would do this to me.” – Sylvie’s heartfelt expression of confusion and sadness about her mother’s actions.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4 million
• Domestic Gross: $1.7 million
• Worldwide Gross: $1.7 million

💥 Poison Ivy Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘Poison Ivy’ because I was curious about early Drew Barrymore, and wow, she really commanded the screen even back then. I was totally drawn in by the messed-up friendship between Ivy and Sylvie, it felt so real and raw. The whole ‘stealing the life’ thing was kinda crazy, but I couldn’t look away! That scene in the rain? Classic! Even though some parts were kinda predictable, I still ended up feeling for both of them in the end.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of erotic thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about toxic friendships”
  • “Those who enjoy films with ambiguous endings”
  • “People who appreciate 90s cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Drug use”
  • “Violence”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “While ‘Poison Ivy’ has its moments of intrigue and a compelling performance by Drew Barrymore, it ultimately falls into familiar thriller tropes, failing to fully explore the complex dynamics it introduces. The plot’s predictability undermines the potential for genuine suspense.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Poison Ivy’ is a stylish and seductive thriller that benefits from strong performances, particularly Drew Barrymore’s captivating portrayal of the manipulative Ivy. While the narrative may not be groundbreaking, the film’s atmosphere and character-driven plot make it a compelling watch.
• Variety: “Drew Barrymore delivers a memorable performance in this strange, beautifully filmed tale of betrayal and teenage alienation. The friendship that develops between the two girls is done in a very believable way, and it is sad when things begin to go wrong, and it becomes clear that Ivy has some deep emotional problems.

Audience Reactions

Drew Barrymore’s intense and captivating performance as Ivy made the movie unforgettable.: Viewers were impressed by the strong performances, especially Barrymore’s portrayal of a complex and troubled character.

The film’s exploration of teenage angst and desire resonated deeply with many audience members.: Many found the film’s portrayal of dysfunctional family dynamics and the complexities of friendship to be both relatable and disturbing.

Overall Consensus: A flawed but compelling erotic thriller with a standout performance from Drew Barrymore that remains a cult favorite for its exploration of teenage obsession and family dysfunction.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Drew Barrymore was considered for the role of Ivy.”
• “The film was shot in various locations around Los Angeles, California.”
• “Director Katt Shea had previously worked with Sara Gilbert on the TV series ‘Roseanne’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Poison Ivy?

Poison Ivy is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. For physical media, DVDs and Blu-rays are available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon and eBay, offering a great option for collectors.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Poison Ivy, you might like these similar films:

• Single White Female (1992): Features a character who manipulates their way into another person’s life.
• The Crush (1993): A younger person develops an unhealthy obsession with an older individual, leading to dangerous consequences.
• Fatal Attraction (1987): Explores the dangers of obsession and infatuation with someone who becomes destructive.

🛒 Poison Ivy Related Products

• Poison Ivy: The Complete Collection (DVD): Own all four Poison Ivy films! Follow the legacy of seduction, obsession, and deadly secrets.
• Drew Barrymore Signed Photo: An authentic signed photo of Drew Barrymore as Ivy. A must-have for serious collectors.
• Poison Ivy Movie Poster (Framed): High-quality framed poster of the iconic ‘Poison Ivy’ movie. Perfect for movie rooms and collectors.
• 90s Movie Night Gift Basket: A gift basket curated with 90s inspired snacks and accessories to have a great movie night with Poison Ivy.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Very First Lie” – performed by Material Issue

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Weekend Lover【UST】”Poison Ivy” (1992)

Ever wondered what ‘Poison Ivy’ would be like as a rock music video? This fan-made video totally nails it, setting the movie’s scenes to a killer Crazy Lixx track. It’s a wild, fun ride!

She will always be a broken girl

If you loved the dark, complex character of Ivy, you HAVE to see this! It puts ‘Poison Ivy’ alongside other movies with similar themes of troubled girls, and it’s honestly fascinating to see the connections.

✨ Rate