🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Gary Fleder
- Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Drama
- Release year: 1997
- Runtime (length): 1h 55min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (93K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 32%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A detective chases a serial kidnapper who wants to create the perfect sorority, but one girl escapes and ruins everything by being too good at kickboxing.
🍿 Kiss the Girls: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Disappearance and Investigation Begins
Dr. Alex Cross, a forensic psychologist and detective from Washington D.C., travels to Durham, North Carolina, when his niece, Naomi, goes missing. He soon learns that Naomi is one of several young women who have disappeared in the area. The local police are struggling to find any leads, and Cross’s expertise is sought to help unravel the mystery.

Kate’s Escape and Alliance
Kate McTiernan, a resourceful young doctor, is kidnapped and held captive by a masked man calling himself ‘Casanova.’ She discovers she is one of several women imprisoned in an underground lair. Kate manages a daring escape, enduring severe injuries in the process. Recovering from her ordeal, she joins forces with Cross, providing crucial insights into Casanova’s methods and motives.

West Coast Connection and the Gentleman Caller
The investigation takes a turn when clues lead Cross and Kate to Los Angeles, where a series of similar kidnappings and murders have occurred, attributed to a man known as ‘The Gentleman Caller.’ Cross deduces that Casanova is not working alone, but in collusion with The Gentleman Caller, uncovering a wider network of criminal activity. Their pursuit in L.A. is hampered when the Gentleman Caller evades capture.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Dr. Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman): A determined forensic psychologist and detective from Washington D.C. who investigates the kidnapping of his niece.
- Kate McTiernan (Ashley Judd): A resilient doctor and kidnap victim who escapes and aids in the pursuit of her captor.
- Nick Ruskin (Cary Elwes): A seemingly helpful detective who is secretly the serial kidnapper known as Casanova.
- Will Rudolph (Tony Goldwyn): A plastic surgeon and the Gentleman Caller who collaborates with Casanova in the kidnappings and murders.
- Naomi Cross (Gina Ravera): Alex Cross’s niece, whose kidnapping sets the main plot in motion.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dr. Alex Cross: “He’s not killing them. He’s collecting them.” – Cross explains his theory that the kidnapper is a collector, not just a killer, which changes the focus of the investigation.
- Kate Mctiernan: “What do you want from me?” – Kate confronts Casanova demanding his motives during her captivity.
- Casanova: “Everything.” – Casanova cryptically answers Kate, expressing his desire to control and possess his victims.
- Dr. Alex Cross: “This guy’s not Houdini, he’s just another sick bastard.” – Cross dismisses initial impressions that Casanova is impossible to catch, revealing his determination.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $27,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $60,527,873
- Worldwide Gross: $60,527,873
💥 Kiss the Girls Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this movie for the first time and being genuinely creeped out! Ashley Judd’s escape scene was so intense, and I was on the edge of my seat wondering if she would make it. Morgan Freeman always brings such a sense of authority to his roles. The ending reveal caught me totally off guard. Definitely a classic 90s thriller.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers”
- “Viewers who enjoy suspenseful mystery movies”
- “Fans of Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd”
- “Those who appreciate James Patterson’s Alex Cross novels”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Kidnapping themes”
- “Violence”
- “Suggestive content”
- “Disturbing situations”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “While occasionally predictable, ‘Kiss the Girls’ delivers solid thrills and suspense thanks to strong performances from Freeman and Judd, elevating the familiar serial killer narrative.
- The New York Times: “Freeman brings his gravitas to the role of Alex Cross, but the film’s formulaic plot and reliance on well-worn thriller tropes prevent it from achieving true originality.
Audience Reactions
Morgan Freeman’s performance as Alex Cross is captivating and adds depth to the film.: Viewers consistently praise the suspenseful plot and the engaging performances of the lead actors.
The twists and turns keep you guessing until the very end.: Most viewers found the plot to be intriguing and enjoyed the unexpected reveals throughout the movie.
Overall Consensus: A suspenseful 90s thriller with strong performances from Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, though some find the plot predictable.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Ashley Judd insisted on performing many of her own stunts, including fight scenes, to bring authenticity to her role as a strong-willed survivor.”
- “Jeff Kober initially provided the uncredited voice of Casanova. However, Tony Goldwyn later re-dubbed the voice for satellite broadcasts, creating an eerie connection since Goldwyn also played Dr. Rudolph.”
- “The film’s plot draws inspiration from real-life serial killer cases, aiming to capture the psychological dynamics between victims, investigators, and perpetrators.”
🖥️ How to Watch Kiss the Girls?
Kiss the Girls is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms such as Paramount+ (via subscription), Amazon Prime Video (for rent or purchase), Apple TV (for rent or purchase), and Vudu (for rent or purchase). Check your local listings for broadcast options. It is not commonly available for free streaming with ads.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Kiss the Girls, you might like these similar films:
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991): Features a brilliant FBI trainee hunting a serial killer with the help of another imprisoned one, exploring similar themes of cat-and-mouse games and psychological profiling.
- Seven (1995): A dark and atmospheric crime thriller centered on two detectives hunting a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.
- Along Came a Spider (2001): Morgan Freeman reprises his role as Alex Cross in another suspenseful crime thriller, dealing with a different but equally cunning criminal.
- The Bone Collector (1999): Features a quadriplegic forensic criminalist helping an ambitious police officer track down a serial killer, utilizing their combined intellect and skills.
🛒 Kiss the Girls Related Products
- Kiss the Girls (Alex Cross Novels): The original James Patterson novel that started it all! Dive deeper into the mind of Alex Cross and the twisted world of Casanova.
- Morgan Freeman Movie Collection [DVD]: A collection of Morgan Freeman’s most iconic films, including ‘Kiss the Girls’.
- Ashley Judd: Collected Films [Blu-ray]: High-definition collection of her most-viewed films and best moments.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Hannibal Lecter: Although not directly related, perfect for collectors who love thriller movie villains. Great for pairing and comparing to Dr. Rudolph.
🎧 Soundtrack
Kiss the Girls features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Dimples” – performed by John Lee Hooker
- “Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007: I. Prélude” – performed by Johann Sebastian Bach
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, Kiss the Girls is based on the novel of the same name by James Patterson, featuring his recurring character Alex Cross.
The killer in Kiss the Girls is Detective Nick Ruskin, played by Cary Elwes. He is revealed to be the masked man known as Casanova.
Kiss the Girls does not have a direct sequel, but it does have another movie featuring Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross called Along Came a Spider. This is also based on a James Patterson novel.
🔥 Bonus Content
Baby Shark Short 1 #babyshark #doctorshark
Get ready for a hilarious twist! This clever parody combines Baby Shark with scenes from the movie, creating an amusing and unique take on the film’s music.
A CAPRICORN?! #Shorts
Dive into the intriguing themes of the film with this captivating animated short. It offers a fresh perspective on the movie’s ideas through its creative visuals.
The stump tub at Cabinland
Discover the secrets behind the film’s stunning visuals! This behind-the-scenes video takes you on a journey into the intricate process of creating the movie’s memorable setting.
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