Desperately Seeking Susan
Performance & Direction: Desperately Seeking Susan Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Desperately Seeking Susan features a noteworthy lineup led by Rosanna Arquette . Supported by the likes of Madonna and Aidan Quinn , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Desperately Seeking Susan
Quick Plot Summary: Desperately Seeking Susan is a Drama, Comedy, Crime film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Desperately Seeking Susan
Ending Breakdown: Desperately Seeking Susan concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Desperately Seeking Susan reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Desperately Seeking Susan Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Desperately Seeking Susan incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a drama, comedy, crime film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Desperately Seeking Susan adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Desperately Seeking Susan?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Desperately Seeking Susan
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.5M |
| Worldwide Gross | $27.4M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Desperately Seeking Susan Budget
The estimated production budget for Desperately Seeking Susan is $4.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Desperately Seeking Susan
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Where to Watch Desperately Seeking Susan Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MGM Plus Amazon Channel🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoDesperately Seeking Susan Parents Guide & Age Rating
1985 AdvisoryWondering about Desperately Seeking Susan age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Desperately Seeking Susan is 104 minutes (1h 44m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.1/10, and global performance metrics, Desperately Seeking Susan is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1985 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desperately Seeking Susan worth watching?
Desperately Seeking Susan is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.1/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Desperately Seeking Susan parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Desperately Seeking Susan identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Desperately Seeking Susan?
The total duration of Desperately Seeking Susan is 104 minutes, which is approximately 1h 44m long.
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Critic Reviews for Desperately Seeking Susan
I always thought this was one of Madonna's best film performance yet.
***Screwball drama in Manhattan with Rosanna Arquette and Madonna*** Roberta (Rosanna Arquette), a bored housewife in the New York City area, becomes obsessed with a wild child named Susan (Madonna) through the personal ads and inadvertently takes on her persona when she visits Manhattan. Unfortunately a hooligan is after Susan for priceless Egyptian earrings (Will Patton). Mark Blum plays Roberta’s jerk husband and Aidan Quinn a new friend in the city. “Desperately Seeking Susan” (1985) is a quirky drama revolving around mistaken identity in an unlikely story. It’s entertaining enough and also works as a window into mid-80’s New York City. How much a viewer will appreciate it depends on how smitten (or not smitten) they are with Arquette. She’s winsome, for sure, but I can take her or leave her. Madonna is more alluring in the lesser role, but I’m not big on her either; still, there are a couple scenes that nicely spotlight her attractiveness. The film runs 1 hour and 43 minutes and was shot in Manhattan; Manhasset, Long Island; and Atlantic City. GRADE: B-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
