Gossip Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

College students play a game of telephone, but instead of a funny sentence, they ruin lives.

🍿 Gossip: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Experiment

Three college students, Derrick, Cathy, and Travis, decide to conduct a social experiment for their communications class. The project involves starting a rumor and tracking its spread throughout the campus to observe how it evolves and impacts those involved. Their professor encourages them to explore the power of gossip and its potential consequences. They believe this is a victimless crime, until it isn’t.

The Rumor

The trio chooses Naomi and Beau, two popular students, as their subjects. Derrick sees Naomi and Beau making out at a club, but Naomi ends up unconscious and Beau leaves. Cathy starts a rumor that Naomi and Beau had sex that night, which quickly escalates into a more serious allegation of rape. As the rumor spreads, the situation spirals out of control, affecting both Naomi and Beau’s reputations and lives.

Consequences and Accusations

The rumor takes a dark turn as Naomi begins to believe she was raped, and Beau faces serious accusations. Cathy, feeling guilty about the experiment’s unintended consequences, wants to come clean. However, Derrick is hesitant, claiming uncertainty about what actually happened that night. The situation escalates as the police get involved, leading to Beau’s arrest and further complicating the already volatile situation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Derrick Webb (James Marsden): A manipulative and ambitious college student who initiates a gossip experiment that spirals out of control.
• Cathy Jones (Lena Headey): A college student and roommate of Derrick and Travis, who initially participates in the gossip experiment but later feels remorseful.
• Travis (Norman Reedus): An artistic and somewhat unstable college student who aids Derrick and Cathy in their ill-fated gossip experiment.
• Naomi Preston (Kate Hudson): A wealthy and initially reserved college student who becomes the target of the damaging gossip.
• Beau Edson (Joshua Jackson): Naomi’s boyfriend who becomes falsely accused as a result of the spreading gossip.
• Professor Goodwin (Eric Bogosian): The communications professor whose class project unwittingly inspires the dangerous gossip experiment.
• Detective Curtis (Edward James Olmos): The detective investigating the consequences of the gossip, bringing a sense of law and order to the escalating situation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Derrick: “You were thinking, Oh my God, I can’t believe I got raped by my boyfriend AGAIN! Only you didn’t know that both times it was me.” – Derrick reveals his deception to Cathy, admitting he assaulted Naomi both times to manipulate the situation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $24,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,108,820
• Worldwide Gross: $12,591,270

💥 Gossip Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in high school and thinking it was so edgy. Watching it now, it’s definitely dated, but still entertaining in a campy way. The twist ending is ridiculous, but it’s the kind of ridiculous that makes you laugh. I think Norman Reedus steals every scene he’s in. It’s not a great movie, but it’s a fun one if you don’t take it too seriously. Plus the early 2000s fashion is a trip!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of teen thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in social experiments”
  • “Fans of the cast (James Marsden, Lena Headey, Kate Hudson)”
  • “People who like movies with twist endings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Suggestive scenes”
  • “References to sexual assault”
  • “Drug and alcohol use”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “”Gossip” starts with a promising premise, exploring the dark side of college culture and the rapid spread of rumors. However, the film quickly devolves into a convoluted thriller with unbelievable plot twists. The young cast is appealing, but the script lacks depth and emotional resonance, ultimately failing to deliver on its initial potential.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “While “Gossip” boasts stylish visuals and a soundtrack that captures the early 2000s vibe, the film’s narrative feels contrived and lacks genuine suspense. The performances are uneven, and the social commentary on gossip feels superficial and heavy-handed. Despite its attempts to be edgy and provocative, “Gossip” ultimately falls flat.

Audience Reactions

The twist ending was so unexpected!: Many viewers enjoyed the film’s suspenseful plot and surprising ending.

Norman Reedus was the best part of the movie: Viewers appreciated Norman Reedus’s and James Marsden’s performances, even if the script wasn’t stellar.

Overall Consensus: “Gossip” is a flawed but entertaining thriller with a decent cast, an intriguing premise, and a twisty plot. It’s best enjoyed as a guilty pleasure rather than a serious film.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The university seen in the film was also used in ‘Urban Legend’ (1998) and ‘The Skulls’ (2000), all of which starred Joshua Jackson.”
• “Davis Guggenheim, the director, is married to actress Elisabeth Shue.”
• “The movie explores the dark side of gossip and rumour-mongering which can quickly spiral out of control with devastating consequences.”

🖥️ How to Watch Gossip?

As of today, you can stream “Gossip” on platforms like Prime Video (with a subscription or for purchase) and Apple TV (for purchase or rental). Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region. You can also find it for sale or rent on digital storefronts such as Google Play Movies and Vudu, and physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) are available from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Gossip, you might like these similar films:

• Cruel Intentions (1999): Explores similar themes of manipulation, betrayal, and dark secrets among privileged youth.
• The Skulls (2000): Another thriller set in a college environment, dealing with secrets and sinister activities within a powerful organization. Shares Joshua Jackson in the cast.

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🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Our Lips are Sealed” – performed by Poe
• “Poison” – performed by The Prodigy
• “You Get What You Give” – performed by New Radicals

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

🤨 FAQ

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