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The Rewatchables ·

Single White Female

year 1992decade 90sdirector Barbet Schroedergenre Thriller
host Bill Simmonshost Van Lathanhost Mallory Rubinproducer Craig Horlbeck theme From Hell Month
All 22 categories

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:24:38

Allie is dangerously oblivious

Mallory Rubin: Allie’s decisions are called so poor that she may be too dumb to survive the plot.

Bill Simmons: A darker ending in which Hedy kills and replaces Allie is proposed.

The film

Single White Female (1992)

Directed by Barbet Schroeder · Thriller

108 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Bridget Fonda Allison "Allie" Jones
Jennifer Jason Leigh Hedra “Hedy” Carlson / Ellen Besch
Tiffany Mataras young Ellen in the film's opening sequence
Steven Weber Sam Rawson, Allie's fiancé
Peter Friedman Graham Knox
Stephen Tobolowsky Mitchell Myerson
Frances Bay Elderly Neighbor
Jessica Lundy Talkative Applicant
Renée Estevez Perfect Applicant
Ken Tobey Desk Clerk
Krystle Mataras Judy Besch, Ellen's twin sister

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

29:23

Most Rewatchable Scene

The shoe scene in which Hedy kills Sam

The shoe scene in which Hedy kills Sam

In the discussion (20)
Approx. transcript time · 00:29:23Read transcript
  • The prospective-roommate montage is nominated for its intentionally comic parade of candidates. — Mallory Rubin
  • Hedy catching Allie at a low moment, fixing the water, and earning her place in the apartment is discussed as a separate setup. — Van Lathan
  • Hedy walking in on Allie using her earrings and perfume is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • The early topless scene is nominated as a signal that the movie has few boundaries. — Bill Simmons
  • Hedy trying Allie’s earrings and sniffing her neck is nominated as a distinct violation. — Bill Simmons
  • Hedy bringing home Buddy without asking is nominated and criticized as bad puppy care. — Bill Simmons
  • The three-character family portrait is nominated as ominous foreshadowing. — Bill Simmons
  • Hedy’s anger when Allie returns after two days away is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Hedy kicking Buddy is discussed as a disturbing scene and later as something that aged poorly. — Bill Simmons
  • Allie and Sam’s chair sex is nominated. — Van Lathan
  • Hedy’s masturbation followed by the breakfast-and-eggs scene is nominated; the discussion emphasizes her desire to enter Allie and Sam’s relationship.
  • Buddy’s murder is deliberately labeled non-rewatchable but also the moment the film sharply escalates. — Bill Simmons
  • Devastated Hedy hitting on Sam and Sam thinking about it are nominated, followed by debate about his ex-wife. — Van Lathan
  • Allie finding Hedy’s unlocked shoebox of personal evidence is nominated. — Bill Simmons
  • Allie following Hedy into the Hellfire sex club is nominated despite frustration with Allie’s obvious surveillance.
  • Hedy’s twin history and the question of whether she deliberately killed her sister are discussed around the scene choices. — Mallory Rubin
  • Hedy’s makeover, impersonation of Allie, and seduction of Sam are nominated as the movie’s central identity-theft sequence.
  • Sam realizing the sexual deception is nominated and provocatively called the greatest orgasm of his life. — Bill Simmons
  • Hedy preparing to kill Allie with a knife is considered part of the long final confrontation. — Bill Simmons
  • All participants explicitly select the shoe scene as most rewatchable. — Bill Simmons
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1:02:52

Gandolfini Butter on My Ass So It Pops in My Mouth Award

The charged identity triangle and extraordinary apartment

The charged identity triangle and extraordinary apartment

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:02:52Read transcript
  • The attraction-killing-identity triangle is praised as a recurring story engine.
  • The inexplicably great apartment is selected because it becomes a character in the movie.
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1:07:55

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Single White Female

Single White Female

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:07:55Read transcript
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1:08:27

What’s Aged the Best?

The film’s continued influence, Bridget Fonda’s style, and Jennifer Jason Lee’s physical performance

The film’s continued influence, Bridget Fonda’s style, and Jennifer Jason Lee’s physical performance

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:08:27Read transcript
  • Modern stories still use pet peril, while Fonda’s styling and Lee’s performance are praised. — Bill Simmons
  • The movie’s early-1990s atmosphere and lasting thriller template receive further support.
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1:12:24

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Allie bound with tape over her mouth

Allie bound with tape over her mouth

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:12:24Read transcript
  • The image of Allie with tape over her mouth is proposed as the best shot.
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1:13:29

Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name

Hedy

Hedy

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:13:29Read transcript
  • Hedy’s name is selected and appreciated as deliberate wordplay. — Mallory Rubin
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1:14:06

The Slow Ride / Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness Award for Best Needle Drop

Enigma

Enigma

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:06Read transcript
  • Enigma is selected without dispute.
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1:14:52

Mallory Rubin Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Sex Scene?

An uncomfortable bath scene; stronger staging of the chair scene

An uncomfortable bath scene; stronger staging of the chair scene

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:52Read transcript
  • The participants inventory the existing chair sex, apartment sex, masturbation, sex-club, oral-sex, and coerced-kiss material and question whether more is needed. — Mallory Rubin
  • A bath scene in which Hedy offers to wash Allie is proposed to make the same-sex subtext more explicit. — Mallory Rubin
  • The chair-sex scene is criticized as underlit and overly staged. — Bill Simmons
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1:17:02

What’s Aged the Worst?

Air-vent eavesdropping, animal mistreatment, a rapist’s redemption, absent roommate searches, kink shaming, Allie’s v...

Air-vent eavesdropping, animal mistreatment, a rapist’s redemption, absent roommate searches, kink shaming, Allie’s vague tech career, and overwritten dialogue

In the discussion (9)
Approx. transcript time · 01:17:02Read transcript
  • Listening through an apartment air vent is called an implausible dated thriller device.
  • Allie’s silver-purple raincoat is rejected as never having made sense. — Bill Simmons
  • The live-action puppy kick and early-1990s sexual-harasser trope are criticized. — Bill Simmons
  • The attempted redemption beat for Mitch after his assault is called something a modern edit would remove.
  • The premise is said to collapse today because a new roommate could be searched online. — Van Lathan
  • The era’s BDSM kink shaming is criticized. — Van Lathan
  • Allie’s ill-defined technology business and implausible coding/payment powers are called dated. — Mallory Rubin
  • The finale is said to need a campy eviction one-liner. — Bill Simmons
  • Hedy’s identical-twin speech is criticized as overwritten, while the performance is said to have typecast the actor in one viewer’s mind. — Bill Simmons
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1:22:27

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Tobolowsky

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:22:27Read transcript
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1:24:38

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Allie is dangerously oblivious; an alternate ending where Hedy replaces her

Allie is dangerously oblivious; an alternate ending where Hedy replaces her

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:24:38Read transcript
  • Allie’s decisions are called so poor that she may be too dumb to survive the plot. — Mallory Rubin
  • A darker ending in which Hedy kills and replaces Allie is proposed. — Bill Simmons
Share this discussion More The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award answers
1:29:52

Casting What-Ifs

No documented casting what-if

No documented casting what-if

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:52Read transcript
  • The participants explicitly say they have no casting what-ifs. — Mallory Rubin
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1:29:59

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Tobolowsky

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:29:59Read transcript
  • Stephen Tobolowsky is the clear That Guy choice; the transcript’s “Francis Day” also receives recognition.
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1:30:49

Recasting Couch

The small cast prompts proposals for another neighbor and a larger role around the building.

The small cast prompts proposals for another neighbor and a larger role around the building.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:30:49Read transcript
  • The hosts consider adding another neighbor, including the previously imagined Darius. — Van Lathan
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1:32:33

Van Lathan Award for Did This Movie Need More Black People?

A Black neighbor named Darius

A Black neighbor named Darius

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:32:33Read transcript
  • The answer is an added neighbor, Darius from the fourth floor.
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1:37:26

Apex Mountain

Evil roommates: yes

Evil roommates: yes

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:37:26Read transcript
  • Lee’s career longevity and this performance are weighed.
  • John Wick is preferred for puppy-murder revenge, while this film is called the apex of evil roommates.
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1:45:06

Picking Nits

Allie’s job, the stiletto death, neighbors’ inconsistent reactions, and Hedy’s disguise generate objections.

Allie’s job, the stiletto death, neighbors’ inconsistent reactions, and Hedy’s disguise generate objections.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:45:06Read transcript
  • Allie’s glamorous software career and the plausibility of the stiletto death are questioned.
  • The apartment’s noise reactions and Hedy’s attempt to pass as Allie receive further objections.
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1:50:58

Sequel, Prequel, Limited Series, or All-Black Remake

Single Black Female proposed; a sequel already exists

Single Black Female proposed; a sequel already exists

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:50:58Read transcript
  • An all-Black version starring Amber Riley and K. Michelle is proposed; the discussion also notes an existing sequel.
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1:54:41

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The bloody high heel

The bloody high heel

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:54:41Read transcript
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1:55:18

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson

Screen roommates carefully, protect pets, and accept living alone.

Screen roommates carefully, protect pets, and accept living alone.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:55:18Read transcript
  • The lessons are to vet roommates, pet-proof the apartment, and recognize that living alone is acceptable. — Bill Simmons
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1:55:29

Best Double Feature

The Net and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

The Net and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:55:29Read transcript
  • The Net and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle are separate participant choices. — Bill Simmons
  • Other erotic-thriller pairing logic is discussed.
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1:57:36

Who Won the Movie?

Jennifer Jason Lee (two choices); Bridget Fonda (support and an unresolved lean)

Jennifer Jason Lee (two choices); Bridget Fonda (support and an unresolved lean)

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:57:36Read transcript
  • Jennifer Jason Lee is selected for creating the movie’s most enduring character. — Van Lathan
  • Fonda’s career moment is argued as a competing rationale, but another final vote goes to Lee. — Bill Simmons
Podcast choices
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More from the conversation

The opening discussion places the movie in the roommate-from-hell cycle and compares its cultural durability with other early-1990s thrillers.
Approx. transcript time · 00:00:59Read transcript