The Last Seduction

The Last Seduction is a 1994 American neo-noir erotic thriller film directed by John Dahl and starring Linda Fiorentino, Peter Berg, and Bill Pullman. It was produced by ITC Entertainment and distributed by October Films. Fiorentino's performance garnered acclaim and generated talk of an Academy Award nomination, but she was deemed ineligible because the film was broadcast in July 1994 on HBO before its theatrical release on October 26. October Films and ITC Entertainment sued the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences but were unable to make Fiorentino eligible for a nomination. The Last Seduction has gained a cult following over time, and its main character, Bridget Gregory, has been recognized as one of the most iconic femme fatales. In 2019, the British Film Institute included the film, along with Gone Girl and Death Becomes Her, in a program dedicated to exploring "wickedly compelling female characters on screen." The film was also featured in The Criterion Channel's Neonoir series in July 2021. A direct-to-video sequel, The Last Seduction II, was released in 1999, featuring none of the original cast and starring Joan Severance as Bridget Gregory.