Sightlines · reception

How The Last Seduction was received

1994 · John Dahl · The Last Seduction on Sightlines

The arc

It premiered on HBO before anyone thought it deserved a theater, then critics' raves forced it onto the big screen — and it's since climbed from cable-movie footnote to the consensus crown jewel of 90s neo-noir.

What’s debated

Film fans still argue whether Bridget Gregory is a feminist power fantasy or proof the femme fatale trope can't escape misogyny — and the debate is half the fun of recommending it.

Its footprint

Linda Fiorentino's Bridget is a fixture on every 'greatest femme fatale' list ever assembled, the 90s answer to Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity, and her Oscar snub remains a go-to example whenever the Academy's eligibility rules get litigated online.

Where it stands

A 'you must have seen this' for anyone claiming to love neo-noir — beloved by critics and noir heads, still slightly under-watched by everyone else.

Did you know? Because it debuted on HBO before its theatrical run, Linda Fiorentino was ruled ineligible for an Oscar — despite winning the New York Film Critics Circle Best Actress award and widespread agreement she'd have been nominated, a snub critics like Roger Ebert loudly protested.