Ruthless People

1986
R
1h 33m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

31K

YOUR RATING

Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, and Helen Slater in Ruthless People (1986)

A couple, cheated by a vile businessman, kidnap his wife in retaliation, without knowing that their enemy is delighted they did.

Play trailer0:31

1 Video

94 Photos

Dark Comedy Satire Comedy Crime

A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

31K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations

Videos1

Trailer 0:31

Watch Official Trailer

Photos94

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Bette Midler claims that Danny DeVito called her twice after the premiere of this film: once to congratulate her, and a second time, 20 minutes later, during which he and Midler both broke down in a nervous frenzy over how terrible the movie was, and how their careers were over. The film went on to become a box-office smash.

Goofs
When Carol and Earl arrive to video store to watch the tape, Carol inserts it into the VCR, and Police Chief Benton's antics appear on all the screens in store. But the VCR's back is facing the camera, and all the output jacks are empty, meaning the VCR isn't connected to anything but the power outlet.

Quotes
Barbara: So, when do I get out of here?
Sandy: As soon as Mr. Stone pays the ransom.
Barbara: Well what's the problem? What is the ransom?
Sandy: It... it was $500,000.
Barbara: That shouldn't be a problem.
Sandy: He complained
Barbara: He complained?
Sandy: And then we dropped our price to $50,000.
Barbara: Yeah?
Sandy: He didn't pay.
Barbara: He didn't pay? So now what?
Sandy: So now we're dropping our price again to $10,000.
Barbara: Do I understand this correctly? I'm being *marked down*? What is this? The Bargain Basement?
[Starts crying]
Barbara: I've been kidnapped by Kmart!

Crazy credits
Near the end of the credits is the line "I Love Wrong Numbers", referring to a scene earlier in the movie where Sam Stone gets a wrong number on the phone and does a vulgar prank to it.

Connections
Edited into Funny or Die Presents...: Fifty Shades of DeVito (2018)

Soundtracks
Ruthless People Theme
Performed by Mick Jagger
Written by Daryl Hall, David A. Stewart (as Dave Stewart) and Mick Jagger

User reviews103

Review

Featured review

A comedy of miscommunication

I thought this movie was hilarious. Almost everything anyone says has a double meaning. (The police chief and the hooker, the big dog, etc) This movie will keep you laughing from beginning to end. Bette Midler is terrific as the kidnapped rich man's wife, and Danny DeVito is also fabulous as the scheming rich man himself. There are thousands of great one-liners that you will keep quoting for years after you see this movie (I know I have) like the unforgettable "I've been kidnapped by K-Mart!" and "You lying @#$*%^!!! Oh, honey, they made me say that!" This is a must see! So go see it! Now! What are you still reading this for, you should be out renting the movie!!