Cape Fear
Movie, 1991, The '90s, Set in A family stalked
Cape Fear is #13 of 26 in release order and #13 of 26 in chronological order in the Martin Scorsese.
The story
Sam Bowden is a small-town corporate attorney. Max Cady is a tattooed, cigar-smoking, Bible-quoting, psychotic rapist. What do they have in common? 14 years ago, Sam was a public defender assigned to Max Cady's rape trial, and he made a serious error: he hid a document from his illiterate client that could have gotten him acquitted. Now, the cagey Cady has been released, and he intends to teach Sam Bowden and his family a thing or two about loss.
Cape Fear recap
Cape Fear (1991) follows Max Cady, a rapist freed after fourteen years in prison, as he stalks Sam Bowden, the lawyer who buried evidence in his case. Martin Scorsese directs this remake of the 1962 film, from Wesley Strick's script. Robert De Niro plays Cady, Nick Nolte plays Sam, Jessica Lange plays his wife Leigh, and Juliette Lewis plays their teenage daughter Danielle. Cady has taught himself to read and studied law in prison, and he knows Sam hid a report about the victim's history. He moves to the Bowdens' town in North Carolina and haunts them within the law. He attacks Lori Davis (Illeana Douglas), a court clerk Sam has been flirting with, and she refuses to testify. He seduces Danielle while posing as her drama teacher. Sam hires a private investigator, Claude Kersek (Joe Don Baker), and pays thugs to beat Cady, but Cady fights them off and uses the beating to get a restraining order against Sam. Next in the list after Goodfellas, it precedes The Age of Innocence.
Cape Fear ending explained
Cape Fear ends on the Cape Fear River, where the Bowdens flee by houseboat after Cady kills Kersek and the housekeeper in their home. Cady has clung beneath their car. On board, he takes them hostage and holds a mock trial of Sam as a storm rises. Danielle sets him alight with lighter fluid, and the boat breaks up on the rocks. Sam handcuffs Cady to the wreck, and Cady sinks singing a hymn and speaking in tongues. Danielle narrates a final reflection about what the family has been through.
Post-credits scenes
No. Cape Fear has no mid- or post-credits scene.
Where to watch Cape Fear
Cape Fear is streaming on Prime Video, YouTube TV, and YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes 77%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Goodfellas, before The Age of Innocence.
- Chronological order: after Goodfellas, before The Age of Innocence.
Cast
- Nick Nolte as Sam Bowden
- Robert De Niro as Max Cady
- Jessica Lange as Leigh Bowden
- Juliette Lewis as Danielle Bowden
- Joe Don Baker as Claude Kersek
- Robert Mitchum as Lieutenant Elgart
- Gregory Peck as Lee Heller
- Martin Balsam as Judge
- Illeana Douglas as Lori Davis
- Fred Thompson as Tom Broadbent
- Zully Montero as Graciella
- Craig Henne as Prisoner
Directed by Martin Scorsese.