The Thing Called Love
The Thing Called Love Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Movie Overview: The Thing Called Love
| Movie | The Thing Called Love |
| Release Year | 1993 |
| Director | Peter Bogdanovich |
| Genre | Drama / Romance / Music |
| Runtime | 116 minutes (1h 56m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Thing Called Love (1993) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.2/10. 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 & Character Study
The performances in The Thing Called Love are led by River Phoenix . The supporting cast, including Samantha Mathis and Dermot Mulroney , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While The Thing Called Love does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Thing Called Love has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Thing Called Love
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1993, The Thing Called Love is a Drama, Romance, Music film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, written by Carol Heikkinen. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving River Phoenix as James Wright.
Ending Explained: The Thing Called Love
The Thing Called Love Ending Explained: Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, The Thing Called Love wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving River Phoenix. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Thing Called Love reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Thing Called Love?
Age Advisory: Rated PG-13.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of River Phoenix or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: The Thing Called Love
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $14.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.0M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
The Thing Called Love Budget
The estimated production budget for The Thing Called Love is $14.0M. 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.
Where to Watch The Thing Called Love Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeThe Thing Called Love Parents Guide & Age Rating
1993 AdvisoryWondering about The Thing Called Love age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Thing Called Love (1993) is 116 minutes (1h 56m). Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, the film runs for 116 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Thing Called Love is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1993 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Thing Called Love worth watching?
The Thing Called Love is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.2/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Thing Called Love parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Thing Called Love identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Thing Called Love (1993)?
The runtime of The Thing Called Love (1993) is 116 minutes (approximately 1h 56m).
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.
