The River Wild is a 1994 American thriller film directed by Curtis Hanson and starring Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, David Strathairn, John C. Reilly, and Joseph Mazzello. The story involves a family on a whitewater rafting trip who encounter two violent criminals in the wilderness.
Tropes included:[]
- Affably Evil - Wade qualifies for this, period.
- Big Bad - Wade.
- Bond One-Liner - "He got to ride "The Gauntlet" after all".
- The Dragon - Terry, though he reluctantly goes along with Wade's leadership.
- Hoist by His Own Petard - At the climax of the film, Gail kills Wade with the very same gun he was using against them for the duration of the movie.
- Kick the Dog - Wade attempts to shoot the family's dog during the film because he considers it expendable. The dog gets away unharmed.
- Meaningful Name - Wade can't swim...
- Punch Clock Villain: Terry, as he at times contests Wade's method.
- Scenery Porn
- Wasn't That Fun?? - After riding and surviving the feared "Gauntlet" with no injuries.