The Talented Mr. Ripley Cast Then and Now (1999 vs 2025)

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) is a psychological thriller directed by Anthony Minghella, based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith. Set in the late 1950s, the film follows Tom Ripley (played by Matt Damon), a charming but deeply insecure young man who is sent to Italy to convince a wealthy playboy, Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), to return home. As Tom becomes obsessed with Dickie’s glamorous lifestyle, envy and desire slowly twist into deception, identity theft, and murder. The movie is praised for its beautiful Italian scenery, elegant period style, and intense psychological tension. Strong performances—especially by Matt Damon and Jude Law—highlight themes of identity, class, jealousy, and moral corruption. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and is considered one of the most stylish and unsettling thrillers of the late 1990s.