Movie Review: Cape Fear

Cape Fear, released in 1991, is an edgy psychological crime horror thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro as the menacing Max Cady. De Niro is joined by Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange, with a breakout performance from Juliette Lewis. While it fits within the thriller genre, the film is an interesting departure for Scorsese, who leans into a more mainstream style while still adding his own distinctive cinematic flair.

The film’s plot centers on Max Cady, a convicted rapist who, after serving 14 years in prison, has educated himself on the law. He blames his former defense attorney, Sam Bowden, for his conviction and embarks on a mission of revenge. Cady’s terror campaign is insidious and carefully orchestrated; he stalks Sam and his family, becoming a relentless nuisance without overstepping the bounds of the law. He uses psychological warfare to intimidate and unsettle them, a constant, creeping threat hiding in plain sight.

Scorsese inverts the classic Hitchcockian “man-on-the-run” premise. Instead of a man falsely accused of a crime, we have a man who has served his time and is now getting into the space of his former counsel. The film becomes a tense game of cat and mouse, with both men struggling to hold their ground as threats and tensions escalate.

What most audiences remember is De Niro’s terrifying performance as Cady. With a heavily tattooed body and a manic gleam in his eye, he makes it his personal mission to troll the man he believes “sold him down the river.” He weaves himself into Sam’s life, finding ways to make contact with his wife, daughter, and mistress, slowly tightening his grip on the family.

“Guess I’ll see you later…”

Scorsese’s use of unusual colour transitions, dramatic close-ups, violence and sharp edits elevates Cape Fear beyond a standard thriller. By giving the villain the spotlight and focusing on the criminal’s perspective, he creates an uneasy and complex dynamic, turning the victim into a man who has wronged his tormentor. This precarious balance keeps viewers on edge throughout the film’s over two-hour runtime.

The film is a captivating, if at times campy, loud and colourful, experience. De Niro is completely unhinged, undergoing a significant body transformation and sinking into Cady’s psychopathic mania with full commitment. A reference to The Shining makes this seem like his manic clown performance to rival what Jack Nicholson’s iconic turn. Nolte provides a solid, straightforward performance, with Lange in a strong supporting role. However, it is Lewis who truly shines as Sam’s impressionable daughter, delivering an intense and memorable performance that hints at some very dark places. The escalating game of one-upmanship between two flawed men, each cleverly navigating the legal system, is not for the faint of heart.

With its sharp performances, solid production values, and a compelling soundtrack, Cape Fear rises above a conventional thriller. It’s a gripping tale of revenge that remains compelling, wild and unpredictable until the very end.

The bottom line: Gripping