Welcome back to The Movievaures Time Machine, where I travel back to the golden years of cinema — the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s — to see if those cult favorites and hidden gems still hold up by today’s standards.
This week, I uncovered a 90s thriller I had completely missed back then: Kiss the Girls (1997), starring the brilliant Morgan Freeman as forensic psychologist Alex Cross. Let’s just say — I’m really glad I hit “play” on this one.
Non-Spoiler Summary
Dr. Alex Cross is pulled into a chilling case when his niece goes missing in North Carolina, believed to be one of many young women abducted by a mysterious serial predator known only as “Casanova.”
Alongside one of his escaped victims (played powerfully by Ashley Judd), Cross races against time to track the killer and uncover a larger web of horrors.
A Look at the Movie
From the very beginning, Kiss the Girls draws you into a dark and suspenseful atmosphere. It’s a classic 90s thriller: gritty, intense, and layered with just enough twists to keep you guessing. But what really stood out to me is how modern and progressive certain aspects of it feel, especially compared to many of its genre peers.
The film doesn’t just offer thrills — it touches on gender, race, and resilience. Seeing a strong Black lead, played by Freeman with the calm intelligence and emotional weight only he can deliver, is still refreshing. And Ashley Judd’s character is far from a passive victim — she’s smart, capable, and central to the investigation.
Of course, I did suspect a bit of the grand finale — perhaps years of watching thrillers has trained my instincts too well — but even then, the execution felt clever, not lazy or predictable.
Public Reception Then and Now
Kiss the Girls was a moderate success in the late 90s and earned enough attention to spawn a sequel (Along Came a Spider). Over time, it’s remained somewhat under the radar compared to bigger titles from the same era. But make no mistake: this is a solid, well-crafted thriller that deserves more recognition.
Watching it now, it’s surprising how well it holds up — both in tone and in relevance.
The Movievaures Time Machine Verdict
Verdict: Passed!
This movie was a hidden gem I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. It’s thrilling, smart, and refreshingly modern in its treatment of women and people of color — something that’s not always true for 90s cinema.
If you’re in the mood for a grounded, gripping detective story with depth and heart, Kiss the Girls is definitely worth a revisit.
Conclusion
Have you seen Kiss the Girls recently? Did it catch you by surprise too, or were you ahead of the curve? Let me know what you thought in the comments — and don’t forget to follow The Movievaures Time Machine on Instagram for more honest throwbacks and verdicts from the golden years of cinema.
Until next time — keep watching, keep questioning, and always travel with style through movie time.
The Movievaures 
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