Jagged Edge, released in theaters on October 4, 1985, is a taut, atmospheric legal thriller that cleverly weaves together aspects of noir, psychological suspense, and courtroom drama. The film is an exercise in ambiguity—keeping the audience guessing about innocence, guilt, and the perils of trusting the wrong person.
The story opens with the sensational murder of San Francisco heiress Page Forrester in her secluded beach house. Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges), her husband and a respected newspaper publisher, is soon arrested for the brutal crime, finding himself the prime suspect both for his apparent motive—an inheritance of her vast fortune—and for his ambiguous actions before and after the murder.
Despite having left criminal law due to a troubled professional past, attorney Teddy Barnes (Glenn Close) is compelled to take Jack’s case, seeking redemption and wrestling with her own ethical dilemmas.
As they prepare a defense, a relationship rises between them, complicated by feelings that cloud Teddy’s judgment and compromise her objectivity.
Opposing them in court is district attorney Thomas Krasny (Peter Coyote), whose aggressive prosecution is driven by ambition and previous history with Barnes.
Throughout the legal proceedings, new evidence, mysterious anonymous notes, and the behavior of those involved raise suspicions and doubts at every turn.
Teddy must make hard choices about what to believe, who to trust, and whether the truth even matters in a case that already feels rigged against her client.
The film masterfully builds tension, leading audiences through twists and turns without ever giving away too much.
Robert Loggia was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Sam Ransom, Teddy’s investigator and confidant.
Lance Henrikson, John Dehner, Marshall Colt, William Allen Young, James Karen and Leigh Taylor-Young round out the cast.
Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct, Flashdance, Nowhere to Run, Sliver, Betrayed, Showgirls, Jade) wrote the screenplay.
Performances and Direction
Close brings intelligence and emotional depth to Teddy, making her a rare protagonist in the genre—one whose choices move the story as much as the villain’s.
Bridges balances vulnerability and possible menace, never allowing viewers to fully know his heart.
Glenn Close and Jeff Bridges in Jagged Edge (Photo/Columbia Pictures)
Loggia shines as a rough-edged investigator, while Coyote’s prosecutor is both nemesis and mirror to Barnes.
Director Richard Marquand (Return of the Jedi) maintains a well-calibrated sense of suspense and uncertainty, favoring psychological drama and smart dialogue over sensationalism. His direction makes even the courtroom scenes suspenseful and vital, a rarity in ‘80s thriller filmmaking.
Reception for Jagged Edge
Jagged Edge grossed $4.1 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office, trailing Commando starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which earned $7.7 million on its debut weekend.
The film grossed $40.5 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave Jagged Edge three and a half out of four stars in his review.
Legacy
Jagged Edge helped define the modern legal thriller, influencing a generation of films focused on the gray areas between law and justice.
Jagged Edge stands out as both a gripping whodunit and a meditation on trust, doubt, and the dangers lurking beneath affluent facades.
