IMDb 6.8 1983 HD

Risky Business

Risky Business

1983
Comedy Drama Romance
98 min R USA
6.592 / 10
6.8 IMDB

Meet Joel Goodson, an industrious, college-bound 17-year-old and a responsible, trustworthy son. However, when his parents go away and leave him home alone in the wealthy Chicago suburbs…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Paul Brickman / Richard H. Prince / Marion Tumen / Jerry Grandey
Starring
Tom Cruise / Rebecca De Mornay / Joe Pantoliano / Richard Masur / Bronson Pinchot / Curtis Armstrong / Nicholas Pryor / Janet Carroll

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

iconic charming rebellious cautionary stylish youthful nostalgic daring humorous consequential energetic memorable

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
May 22, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

The allure of 'Risky Business' lies in its potent mix of audacious youth and escalating stakes. Tom Cruise, in his breakout role, perfectly embodies Joel Goodson's transition from dutiful student to enterprising, albeit slightly panicked, young man. The…

A
Arthur Finch
May 22, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'Risky Business' presents a familiar tale of teenage freedom gone awry, elevated by a charismatic performance from Tom Cruise. As Joel Goodson, he navigates a series of increasingly precarious situations after his parents' departure. The film’s exploration of…

G
Genevieve Dubois
May 22, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

More than just a vehicle for Tom Cruise's ascent, 'Risky Business' is a surprisingly sophisticated and witty commentary on the American dream and the compromises made in its pursuit. Joel Goodson's journey from dutiful son to entrepreneurial risk-taker…

M
Marcus Bellweather
May 22, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

A film that undeniably defined a generation, 'Risky Business' offers a potent cocktail of youthful rebellion and economic quandary. Tom Cruise's star-making turn as Joel Goodson is magnetic, capturing the anxious energy of a young man teetering on…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 22, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

Paul Brickman's 'Risky Business' remains a sharp, stylish exploration of adolescent ambition and misadventure. Tom Cruise, in a career-defining role, embodies Joel Goodson with an infectious blend of earnestness and burgeoning recklessness. The film masterfully navigates the transition…

FAQs

'Risky Business' strikes a distinctive tone, blending youthful exuberance with a darkly comedic edge. It captures the thrill and recklessness of teenage freedom, often with a sense of impending doom that fuels the humour. While there are moments of genuine consequence and even danger, the film maintains a relatively light, stylish, and often satirical approach to its subject matter. This balance makes it an engaging and memorable viewing experience, typical of 1980s cinematic sensibilities.