ThoughJames Spaderis best known for his recent turn as Raymond Reddington inThe Blacklist, the actor has starred in many iconic movies that deserve more recognition. The past few decades have seen Spader rise to prominence with voice work inAvengers: Age of Ultron. However, in the 1980s, ’90s, and early 2000s, Spader took on many independent projects in a variety of genres that demonstrated his range as a performer.More often than not, Spader is cast as an unscrupulous character,which allows him to play the villain and have fun with his projects.
James Spader’s best movies and TV showsoften push boundaries and lean into territory that other films would typically shy away from. Erotic thrillers and intense romantic connections are where Spader shines, as he has a magnetism and enduring chemistry with all his co-stars.One of the major breakthroughs of his career,Sex, Lies, and Videotape,exemplifies the unique charisma that defines his career. Combined with his skills as a character actor and commitment to his roles, any movie that includes Spader has something to recommend to a wide variety of audiences.
10The Music Of Chance (1993)
Directed by Philip Haas
Based on the novel of the same name,The Music of Chancepairs Spader with Mandy Patinkin,with Spader playing the gambler Pozzi, who pulls Patinkin’s unassuming Nashe into his scheme. After losing everything to two older rich men, Pozzi and Nashe are forced to work off their debt by building an ancient stone wall for the men. Trapped in servitude, Pozzi and Nashe respond differently to their predicaments, with Pozzi acting violently and rashly and Nashe seemingly taking the events in stride.
Spader has the most emotional role, and he and Patinkin play off each other well as foils who are forced to complete the Sisyphean task of building the wall.
The world the men enter inThe Music of Chanceseems to be a liminal space, with the isolating narrative inviting both the men and the audience to start feeling the confines and frustrations of the situation. Spader has the most emotional role, and he and Patinkin play off each other well as foils who are forced to complete the Sisyphean task of building the wall. As the film progresses,the viewer becomes entrenched in the uncanny surrealism of Philip Haas’The Music of Chance.
100%
88%
Secretary
Cast
Secretary (2002) explores the complex relationship between a dominative lawyer, played by James Spader, and his submissive secretary, portrayed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. The film addresses themes of power dynamics and self-discovery within an unconventional romantic setting. Directed by Steven Shainberg, the narrative delves into the psychological intricacies of the main characters, setting it apart from traditional romantic dramas.
The offbeat and erotic romantic comedySecretaryis a cult classic that features some ofSpader’s best work as E. Edward Grey, the corporate businessman who becomes involved with his secretary,Maggie Gyllenhaal. The secretary, Lee Holloway, quickly becomes just as infatuated with Grey as he is with her, and they embark on a BDSM relationship, which fulfills them romantically and sexually. Both the nature of the relationship and the name Grey make it one of thebest movies likeFifty Shades of Grey, and clearly inspired the later film.
Alongside its subversive subject matter,Secretaryalso stands out because of its stylistic visual choices that lean into surrealist territory.The performances from Gyllenhaal and Spader balance the comedy of the film’s script while simultaneously taking their desires and needs seriously. Additionally, it’s enjoyable to see Spader taking on the romantic lead for once, even if it’s in a non-traditional way. The way the characters are free to live as they please and their decisions are celebrated makesSecretarytranscend the other rom-coms of its era.
78%
82%
8True Colors (1991)
Directed by Herbert Ross
Before Spader and Patinkin collaborated onThe Music of Chance, they worked together onTrue Colors, with John Cusack in the main role alongside Spader. InTrue Colors,Spader and Cusack play a pair of best friends who meet in college but go on opposite pathsin the world of politics. Tim (Spader) is the good guy who wants to work for the Department of Justice, and his college roommate, Peter (Cusack), becomes a corrupt politician. Already at odds in their personal lives, their difference in morality and ambition deteriorates their friendship.
The world and corruption of U.S. politics play a significant role inTrue Colors, but this mainly serves as a backdrop for an exploration of the power of friendship.
ThoughTrue Colorsdidn’t receive great critical or audience acclaim,it’s still interesting to see Spader cast as the upright moral character, contrasted with Cusack,who had played the teenage heartthrob many times before. The world and corruption of U.S. politics play a significant role inTrue Colors, but this mainly serves as a backdrop for an exploration of the power of friendship. Tim and Peter see how far they can push each other before their relationship is lost forever.
44%
45%
White Palace
White Palace is a romantic drama directed by Luis Mandoki. The film stars Susan Sarandon as a working-class waitress and James Spader as an affluent young widower. Their lives become entwined in an unexpected romance, challenging societal norms and their personal beliefs. The film explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of relationships across socio-economic divides.
In an interesting twist on the classic formula popularized byThe Graduate,White Palaceis a more sensitive and heartfelt addition to the genre. Susan Sarandon and Spader both have plenty of experience in the erotic romance genre, with Sarandon starring inBull Durhamwith Kevin Costner in 1988. InWhite Palace,Nora (Sarandon) and Max (Spader) have an age gap, but they quickly connect over their mutual lossesand embark on a relationship that brings them joy and comfort.
White Palaceis a great example of aromance movie where an older woman dates a younger man, and in the classic fashion of the genre, their differences in where they are in life keep them apart. Much ofWhite Palacetackles the concept of the “yuppy” in the 1980s and early 1990sand how Max chafes against the ideals of his upper-middle-class friends and lifestyle. While it isn’t a perfect film, its happy ending and moral conclusions make it relevant for contemporary audiences.
50%
62%
6Mannequin (1987)
Directed by Michael Gottlieb
Kim Cattrall and Andrew McCarthy star inMannequinas the mannequin-maker, Jonathan, and his muse, Emmy, who comes to life through his love of his work. The movie explores the love of art and artistry with the enduring adoration that a work of art enjoys, especially from its creator. Despite its unexpected fantasy premise,Mannequinhas many moments of humor and doesn’t take itself too seriously.Spader plays Mr. Richards, one of the antagonists who tries to prevent Jonathan from succeeding in making his art.
It’s a campy addition to Spader’s filmography and has been recognized as a cult classic in the years since its release.
The bumbling and comically evil Mr. Richards is a classic Spader villain,and it’s clear that the actor is having fun acting because of the silly premise. ThoughMannequinisn’t as well remembered today, it performed well thanks to McCarthy’s connection to The Brat Pack and Cattrall’s later fame. It’s a campy addition to Spader’s filmography and has been recognized as a cult classic in the years since its release.
Kim Cattrall is best known for her role as Samantha inSex and the City.
20%
55%
Bad Influence
Bad Influence is a psychological thriller directed by Curtis Hanson. The film stars Rob Lowe as Alex, a charming but menacing drifter, and James Spader as Michael, a meek and unassertive businessman. Alex’s influence draws Michael into a web of manipulation and crime, jeopardizing his career and relationships. The movie explores themes of identity, power, and the dark side of human nature.
Though Spader isn’t technically part of thegroup of actors labeled The Brat Pack, he did rise to fame alongside many of them and starred in movies with them, like inBad Influence. Though John Hughes’Pretty in Pinkis one of his most famous projects,Bad Influencewas a darker and more serious film.He’s paired with Rob Lowe, and both actors demonstrate strong chemistry as their relationship turns from genial to combative. Spader’s Michael is characterized as the weaker of the two, with Lowe’s Alex being the titular bad influence.
AsBad Influenceprogresses, the movie quickly revels in its thriller narrative, and the more Michael and the audience realize that Alex isn’t someone to be trusted. Though there are moments of melodrama inBad Influence, both Spader and Lowe’s commitment to the intensity of their characters make the story believable. The only reason thatSpader is characterized as the underdog inBad Influenceis because he plays next to Lowe,who embodies the archetypal bad boy even more.
65%
51%
The Best Movie From Every Member Of The Brat Pack
Each member of the Brat Pack shined in a particular movie of their career, & while some of them occurred in the 1980s, others had a career beyond.
4Supernova (2000)
Directed by Walter Hill, Jack Sholder, & Francis Ford Coppola
The box office bombSupernovastars Spader Nick Vanzant alongside Angela Bassett as Dr. Kaela Evers. Nick and Kaela work and live onboard a medical spaceship that travels through the universe, answering the calls of people in distress.Supernovabegins with the ship Nightingale 229 malfunctioningright when the ship is in trouble and in the path of a cloud of debris. However,Supernovaisn’t just a disaster space movie, as one of the people they rescue turns out to have dangerous ulterior motives.
If there’s one reason to revisitSupernova, it’s for the interesting stylistic approach to the science fiction genre that has become a time capsule of the early 2000s.
If there’s one reason to revisitSupernova, it’s for the interesting stylistic approach to the science fiction genre that has become a time capsule of the early 2000s. Unfortunately,Supernovasuffered many problems behind the scenesdue to issues beyond the creative team’s control. Despite this, Spader and the cast do their best with the script and manage to create a project that deserves some reevaluation. There’s an interesting heart to the story that could be revisited one day as part of a potential reboot.
11%
17%
3Dream Lover (1993)
Directed by Nicholas Kazan
Dream Loveris yet another erotic thriller starring Spader with Mädchen AmickofTwin PeaksandRiverdalejoining him. They play Ray and Lena, a married couple whose domestic bliss is interrupted by the web of lies that Ray catches Lena in. The meet-cute that made Ray fall in love with Lena isn’t what it seems, and her intentions for Ray and his money are much more nefarious than he realizes.Dream Loveris a great continuation of the genre of sadistic yet romantic games that unfold onscreen.
Though it underperformed at the box office,Dream Loverworks well not only because of Spader but also Amick’s performance. Her character becomes increasingly sinister as the movie progresses.The amount of violence inDream Loveris surprising, but it’s balanced by the sensual scenesbetween Spader and Amick, which are steamy and well-choreographed. When watchingDream Lovertoday, there are dated elements, but there’s also a stylistic intrigue that keeps the audience engaged.
57%
39%
Lori Laughlin, best known for her role as Aunt Becky onFull House, joins Spader early in both their careers in the cult 1980s horror movieThe New Kids. Shannon Presby and Laughlin play Loren and Abby McWilliams, a pair of siblings who have to move in with their aunt and uncle and transfer school districts.Spader is Eddie, a local gang member who targets Abbyand proves himself to be a violent and dangerous enemy.
Eddie is one of the darkest characters that Spader has ever taken on, as he goes to extreme lengths to hurt the other characters.
Though the film didn’t receive strong reviews, it has a surprisingly memorable castand is in conversations with the anxieties surrounding the disruption of the nuclear family that were prevalent in the 1980s. Eddie is one of the darkest characters that Spader has ever taken on, as he goes to extreme lengths to hurt the other characters. His fate is one of the more graphic moments in the story. The setting of the amusement park does bring something interesting and compelling to the story.
40%
48%
10 Underrated 1980s Horror Movies You Should Definitely Check Out
While ’80s horror is best known for endless slasher sequels and body horror movies, there is a lot more to the decade’s underrated releases.
Wolf
Wolf, directed by Mike Nichols and released in 1994, stars Jack Nicholson as Will Randall, a middle-aged book editor who undergoes a transformation after being bitten by a wolf. Michelle Pfeiffer co-stars as Laura Alden, a woman entangled in Randall’s evolving circumstances. The film blends elements of horror and drama, exploring themes of primal instincts and corporate rivalry. James Spader and Kate Nelligan play pivotal supporting roles.
Spader plays a secondary role inWolf, which stars Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer alongside a stellar cast of classic actors. Stewart Swinton is Spader’s character, the foil to Nicholson’s Will, who attempts to steal Will’s position at their publishing company and has an affair with his wife.It’s a classic character for Spader, who is often typecast as the sleazy confidantwho betrays his friends. However, there’s a supernatural element inWolfthat leads each of the characters to slowly transform into a creature of the night, beginning with Will.
Though the fantasy elements ofWolfare somewhat of a departure forJames Spader, the movie isn’t a traditional werewolf flick, as the transformation into the wolf is seen as a form of empowerment for the fading Will. The juxtaposition of the fearsome nature of the wolf with the strict corporate world that Will and Stewart operate in makesWolfa timely piece for the mid-’90s.Wolfgoes down in history as a modern iteration of the monster movie,with some amazing performances to elevate it.
43%
