Brian De Palma has faced criticism throughout his career, largely due to his consistent adherence to the Alfred Hitchcock thriller blueprint, a point that’s caused considerable debate. However, watching Peter Hall's Never Talk to Strangers really highlights how valuable it is to have thrillers in this style done properly! Rebecca De Mornay portrays a therapist who, while navigating the psychological games of a serial killer (Harry Dean Stanton), encounters a passionate Latino man (Antonio Banderas) and engages in unrestrained desires. Soon after, she begins receiving disturbing packages through the mail... The erotic thriller genre is well-established, and undoubtedly will remain so, making it seem somewhat unfair to criticize Hall's film for feeling like an uninspired copy of earlier examples within the subgenre. This combination of Silence of the Lambs, Sea of Love, Dressed to Kill, and Fatal Attraction simply feels dishonest—and that’s because it is! The filmmakers are aware of this and attempt to disguise their flawed approach behind eroticism, as the two attractive leads engage in steamy encounters; the sexual activity is as striking as the setting (Banderas' loft apartment boasts a metal cage and ornate iron doors). However, the mystery lacks substance, the suspense is minimal, and the background story of De Mornay’s father—a significant character—is inadequately explored. Harry Dean Stanton delivers a captivating performance whenever he appears, yet his screen time is limited, which ultimately proves detrimental as the plot rushes toward its unbelievable and laughable conclusions. Misleading clues appear and disappear with the same frequency as Becca and Tony's clothing (the continuity editor should have been fired along with the writers due to one particular scene, incidentally), and even though Pino Donaggio’s score has his typical atmospheric qualities, it feels like a superficial attempt to capitalize on existing trends. This is an underwhelming thriller despite committed and visually appealing performances from the two main actors—and of course Stanton's knowingly sleazy portrayal. Only seek this out if you consider Body of Evidence among the best erotic thrillers ever made. 5/10

Source on TMDB