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Fatal Attraction

Fatal Attraction is a 1987 American psychological thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fatal Attraction is a 1987 American psychological thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer. It follows a married lawyer whose brief affair with a woman escalates into stalking and violence. The film was a major box-office success and received six Academy Award nominations.

Plot

The story follows Dan Gallagher, whose weekend affair with Alex Forrest turns dangerous when she refuses to let the relationship end. Alex's escalating behaviour threatens Dan's marriage and family.

Production

Fatal Attraction was directed by Adrian Lyne from a screenplay by James Dearden, with Nicholas Meyer also credited on the screenplay. It was produced by Stanley R. Jaffe and Sherry Lansing for Paramount Pictures.

Release and reception

The film was released in the United States in September 1987 and became a major commercial success. It also received substantial awards attention, including six Academy Award nominations.

Cultural impact

The film became a widely discussed thriller and a notable example of the “fatal attraction” theme in popular culture. It has also been referenced and revisited in later film and television works.

Key facts

  • The film is based on James Dearden's 1980 short film Diversion.
  • It centres on Dan Gallagher, a married New York attorney, and Alex Forrest, a woman with whom he has an affair.
  • After Dan ends the relationship, Alex begins stalking him and threatening his family.
  • The film was a box-office hit, grossing about $154 million in the United States.
  • It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Glenn Close.
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Canadian context

The film was widely released and discussed in Canada as part of mainstream North American cinema, and it remains a well-known reference point in discussions of psychological thrillers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Fatal Attraction about?
It is about a married man whose affair with a colleague turns into a stalking and family-threatening ordeal after he tries to end it.
Who directed Fatal Attraction?
The film was directed by Adrian Lyne.
Who starred in Fatal Attraction?
The principal cast includes Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer.
When was Fatal Attraction released?
It was released in the United States on September 18, 1987.
Did Fatal Attraction receive Oscar nominations?
Yes. It received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Glenn Close.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093010/
    Supports: Release date, country of origin, language, and basic plot summary.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_Attraction
    Supports: Directed by Adrian Lyne, written by James Dearden and Nicholas Meyer, based on Diversion, and synopsis.
  3. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/fatal-attraction
    Supports: Studio, runtime, year, genre, and Academy Award nomination count.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1007141-fatal_attraction
    Supports: Director, producers, screenwriters, studio, rating, runtime, release date, and box office gross.
  5. Turner Classic Movies — https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/74630/fatal-attraction
    Supports: Film premise and key cast/production information.