# Swimfan > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Swimfan > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Swimfan.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimfan > Source revision: 1351187034 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 2002 film by John Polson Swimfan Theatrical release poster Directed by John Polson Written by Charles Bohl Phillip Schneider Produced by Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr. John Penotti Starring Jesse Bradford Erika Christensen Shiri Appleby Cinematography Giles Nuttgens Edited by Sarah Flack Music by Louis Febre Production companies GreeneStreet Films[1] Cobalt Media Group[1] Furthur Films[1] Distributed by 20th Century Fox[1] Release date September 6, 2002 (2002-09-06) Running time 85 minutes[1] Country United States Language English Budget $10 million[2] Box office $34.4 million[2] ***Swimfan*** is a 2002 American [teen](/source/Teen_film) [psychological thriller](/source/Psychological_thriller) film directed by [John Polson](/source/John_Polson) and written by Charles Bohl and Phillip Schneider. Starring [Jesse Bradford](/source/Jesse_Bradford), [Erika Christensen](/source/Erika_Christensen), and [Shiri Appleby](/source/Shiri_Appleby), the film is about a high school swimming star who finds himself stalked by a teenage seductress after a one-night stand. The film was panned by critics, with the plot drawing unfavorable comparisons to similar films like *[Fatal Attraction](/source/Fatal_Attraction)* and *[Play Misty for Me](/source/Play_Misty_for_Me)*, but was a box office hit. ## Plot Ben Cronin is a star on his high school's swim team. His coach informs him that [Stanford University](/source/Stanford_University) scouts will appear at next week's swim meet. Ben and his girlfriend Amy discuss their plans. Amy wants to attend school in [Rhode Island](/source/Rhode_Island) but explains she will go to school in [California](/source/California) to stay close to Ben. The next day, Ben nearly runs his car into Madison Bell and gives her a ride home as an apology. Later, he realizes that Madison left her notebook in his car. When he returns the notebook, he meets Madison's cousin, Christopher. Madison explains that she has not eaten, so Ben takes her to a diner. At the diner, Ben tells Madison about his girlfriend, and Madison explains that she has a boy waiting for her in [New York City](/source/New_York_City). Although Ben tries to end the date, Madison convinces him to go to the pool. Her aggressive flirtation lures Ben in, and the two have sex. They agree to remain friends and not to discuss their encounter. The next night, Ben goes to a party at Amy's house. Amy introduces Ben to her new friend, who turns out to be Madison. The two pretend to have not met. Shortly after, Madison obsesses over Ben—she stops by his house to meet his mom and bombards him with e-mails and instant messages. Ben realizes her unhealthy behavior and demands that she leave him alone. His lying eats at him, but before he can confess, Madison tells Amy. Madison dates Ben's rival teammate, Josh. Right before their biggest swim competition, Ben is disqualified for having [steroids](/source/Steroid) in his urine. Outraged and suspecting Madison had Josh set him up, he confronts Josh about the drug test. Days later, Madison accidentally calls Josh by Ben's name while they are kissing. Josh realizes that Madison's obsession with Ben is real and tells her off. Ben tries to tell Amy everything, but she doesn't believe him. The next day, he goes to the pool, where he finds Josh dead. The police suspect that Ben murdered Josh, so to prove his innocence, he breaks into Madison's room to find evidence, where he discovers a bottle of steroids and a creepy shrine of his belongings. Christopher warns Ben of a similar case regarding a man named Jake Donnelly. When Ben visits Jake in the hospital, a nurse tells him that Jake's girlfriend Madison survived the crash. Disguising herself as Ben, Madison steals his car and runs Amy off the road, with Ben being framed for the crime. That night at the hospital, Ben and a few friends record Madison confessing her crimes, resulting in her arrest. She escapes custody, then enters Ben's house and drags Amy to the school's swimming pool. After watching Madison throw a handcuffed Amy into the pool, Ben dives in. Madison attacks them with the handle of a pool cleaner, but Ben grabs one end, pulling her into the pool. Unable to swim, Madison drowns while Ben frees the drowned Amy and resuscitates her. Later, after watching a swim meet, Ben goes outside to his car, where he and Amy kiss and drive away. ## Cast - [Jesse Bradford](/source/Jesse_Bradford) as Benjamin "Ben" Cronin - [Erika Christensen](/source/Erika_Christensen) as Madison Bell - [Shiri Appleby](/source/Shiri_Appleby) as Amy Miller - [Kate Burton](/source/Kate_Burton_(actress)) as Carla Cronin - [Clayne Crawford](/source/Clayne_Crawford) as Josh - [Jason Ritter](/source/Jason_Ritter) as Randy - [Dan Hedaya](/source/Dan_Hedaya) as Coach Simkins - [James DeBello](/source/James_DeBello) as Christopher Dante - [Michael Higgins](/source/Michael_Higgins_(actor)) as Mr. Tillman - [Kia Joy Goodwin](/source/Kia_Goodwin) as Rene - [Nick Sandow](/source/Nick_Sandow) as Detective John Zabel - [Pamela Isaacs](/source/Pamela_Isaacs) as Mrs. Egan - [Phyllis Somerville](/source/Phyllis_Somerville) as Aunt Gretchen - Monroe Mann as Jake Donnelly - [Patricia Rae](/source/Patricia_Rae) as Jake's nurse ## Filming The film was shot in [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey) and [New York](/source/New_York_(state)).[3] It was partly financed by [Furthur Films](/source/Further_Films), a production company founded by actor [Michael Douglas](/source/Michael_Douglas). ## Release *Swimfan* opened in the number one spot at the North American box office in its first week of release, earning $12.4 million and beating *[My Big Fat Greek Wedding](/source/My_Big_Fat_Greek_Wedding)* and *[City by the Sea](/source/City_by_the_Sea)*.[4][5] The film was distributed by [20th Century Fox](/source/20th_Century_Fox) in most countries, which beat out [Paramount Pictures](/source/Paramount_Pictures)/[MTV Films](/source/MTV_Films) and [Miramax Films](/source/Miramax) for distribution rights,[6] with [Icon Film Distribution](/source/Icon_Film_Distribution) distributing it in the United Kingdom.[7][8] The worldwide box office gross was $34.4 million; nearly a third of that came from its first-place opening weekend in the US.[2] Director [John Polson](/source/John_Polson) credited the film's strong opening weekend to Fox's marketing campaign.[9] ## Reception ‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) below (*[Rotten Tomatoes prose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Rotten_Tomatoes_prose)*) is being considered for deletion. See [templates for discussion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_18#Rotten_Tomatoes_and_Metacritic_film_prose) to help reach a consensus. › On the [review aggregator](/source/Review_aggregator) website [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes), 15% of 93 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.9/10. The website's consensus reads: "A Fatal Attraction rip-off, Swimfan is a predictable, mediocre thriller."[10] ‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) below (*[Metacritic film prose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Metacritic_film_prose)*) is being considered for deletion. See [templates for discussion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_18#Rotten_Tomatoes_and_Metacritic_film_prose) to help reach a consensus. › [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic), which uses a [weighted average](/source/Weighted_arithmetic_mean), assigned the film a score of 29 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[11] Audiences surveyed by [CinemaScore](/source/CinemaScore) gave the film a grade of "B−" on a scale of A+ to F.[12] [Peter Bradshaw](/source/Peter_Bradshaw) gave the film two stars out of five, calling it a "teen *Fatal Attraction* with an unappetising extra helping of *[Scream](/source/Scream_(1996_film))*" and saying it lacks "the sardonic wit that parts of the script had seemed initially to promise".[13] *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))* described it as a "chiller resolutely without chills, in which even the pool water always seems heated. And inasmuch as the pic never owns up to its own trashiness, it's not even enjoyable [camp](/source/Camp_(style))—like [Mary Lambert](/source/Mary_Lambert_(director))'s recent *[The In Crowd](/source/The_In_Crowd_(2000_film))*—even though there's about as much underage drinking, heavy petting and full-on sex as you can imagine this side of a very surprising [PG-13 rating](/source/Motion_Picture_Association_of_America_film_rating_system#The_PG-13_rating_is_adopted)."[14] ## Soundtrack Swimfan Soundtrack album by Various artists Released August 27, 2002 Genre Alternative metal nu metal alternative rock[15] Label TVT Professional ratings Review scores Source Rating Allmusic [15] Track listing No. Title Music Length 1. "Everything" Pacifier (Shihad) 4:27 2. "Greater Than Less Than" Saliva 4:49 3. "Cave" Celebrity 3:33 4. "Deny" (Acoustic) Default 3:53 5. "Slow Down" Wayne 4:29 6. "Black" Sevendust 4:09 7. "Whole" Flaw 3:49 8. "Down In Me" Allergic 3:01 9. "Roll Over & Play Dead" Portable 3:36 10. "Clueless" Pay the Girl 3:50 11. "Too Much Too Soon" Llama 3:35 12. "Jesus Says" Ash 4:43 ## See also - [The Fan (1996 film)](/source/The_Fan_(1996_film)) [Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals): - [New Jersey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:New_Jersey) - [Film](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Film) - [United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-afi_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-afi_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-afi_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-afi_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-afi_1-4) ["Swimfan"](http://www.afi.com/members//catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=62596). *[AFI Catalog of Feature Films](/source/AFI_Catalog_of_Feature_Films)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170611145526/http://www.afi.com/members//catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=62596) from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2022. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-boxoff_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-boxoff_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-boxoff_2-2) ["Swimfan"](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=swimfan.htm). *[Box Office Mojo](/source/Box_Office_Mojo)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161006121855/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=swimfan.htm) from the original on October 6, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Hadadi, Roxana (April 6, 2022). ["Erika Christensen Answers Every Question We Have About Swimfan"](https://www.vulture.com/2022/04/erika-christensen-answers-every-question-about-swimfan.html). *[Vulture](/source/Vulture_(website))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220413160633/https://www.vulture.com/2022/04/erika-christensen-answers-every-question-about-swimfan.html) from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Karger, Dave (September 9, 2002). ["*Swimfan* debuts at No. 1 at the box office"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220413160633/https://ew.com/article/2002/09/09/swimfan-debuts-no-1-box-office/). *[EW.com](/source/EW.com)*. Archived from [the original](https://ew.com/article/2002/09/09/swimfan-debuts-no-1-box-office/) on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Hoffman, Bill (September 9, 2002). ["'Swimfan' Sinks Box-Office Competition"](https://nypost.com/2002/09/09/swimfan-sinks-box-office-competition/). *New York Post*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220413160633/https://nypost.com/2002/09/09/swimfan-sinks-box-office-competition/) from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Dimension nabs 'They'"](https://variety.com/2001/film/markets-festivals/dimension-nabs-they-1117854885/). *Variety*. October 25, 2001. Retrieved October 25, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Russell, Jamie (September 17, 2002). ["Swimfan (2002)"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/films/2002/09/20/swimfan_2002_review.shtml). *www.bbc.co.uk*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220221074314/https://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/films/2002/09/20/swimfan_2002_review.shtml) from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved January 16, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["*Swimfan* (12)"](https://bbfc.co.uk/CVF177582). *[British Board of Film Classification](/source/British_Board_of_Film_Classification)*. Retrieved January 16, 2020.[*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Marquez, Sandra (September 7, 2002). ["'Swimfan' Tops Weekend Box Office"](https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Swimfan-Tops-Weekend-Box-Office-10510030.php). *[The Edwardsville Intelligencer](/source/The_Edwardsville_Intelligencer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230314101457/https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Swimfan-Tops-Weekend-Box-Office-10510030.php) from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Swimfan (2002)"](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/swimfan/). *[Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171129083728/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/swimfan/) from the original on November 29, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Metacritic_11-0)** ["*Swimfan*"](https://www.metacritic.com/movie/swimfan). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Fandom, Inc.](/source/Fandom_(website)#Fandom,_Inc.) Retrieved May 23, 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["SWIMFAN (2002) B-"](https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/). *[CinemaScore](/source/CinemaScore)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/) on December 20, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Bradshaw, Peter](/source/Peter_Bradshaw) (September 20, 2002). ["Swimfan"](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/sep/20/artsfeatures7). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140909194223/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/sep/20/artsfeatures7) from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2010. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Foundas, Scott (September 8, 2002). ["Swimfan"](https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/swimfan-1200546427/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121107062520/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117918629/) from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2010. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-am_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-am_15-1) ["Swimf@n > Overview"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r605861). [Allmusic](/source/Allmusic). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230314101457/https://www.allmusic.com/album/swimf-n-mw0000661587) from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2010. ## External links - [*Swimfan*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283026/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [*Swimfan*](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/swimfan) at [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes) - [*Swimfan*](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=swimfan.htm) at [Box Office Mojo](/source/Box_Office_Mojo) v t e Films directed by John Polson Siam Sunset (1999) Swimfan (2002) Hide and Seek (2005) Tenderness (2009) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Swimfan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimfan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimfan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.