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Risky Business 1983

While his parents are away on vacation, high school student Joel Goodsen and his friend Miles begin a night of rebellion. A chance encounter with a prostitute leads Joel to a complicated and unexpected relationship with the alluring Lana. However, the morning brings a large bill and a car accident, forcing Joel to take a risky gamble. To cover his debts and avoid trouble, he turns his house into an unconventional business, leading to increasingly chaotic and humorous situations.

While his parents are away on vacation, high school student Joel Goodsen and his friend Miles begin a night of rebellion. A chance encounter with a prostitute leads Joel to a complicated and unexpected relationship with the alluring Lana. However, the morning brings a large bill and a car accident, forcing Joel to take a risky gamble. To cover his debts and avoid trouble, he turns his house into an unconventional business, leading to increasingly chaotic and humorous situations.

Does Risky Business have end credit scenes?

No!

Risky Business does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Risky Business

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Ratings and Reviews for Risky Business

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Metacritic

75

Metascore

6.9

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Risky Business Movie Quiz

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Risky Business Quiz: Test your knowledge on the classic film 'Risky Business' and its memorable moments.

What prestigious university does Joel's father want him to attend?

Awards & Nominations for Risky Business

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41st Golden Globe Awards 1984

Tom Cruise
Nomination

Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical

Tom Cruise

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Risky Business

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Read the complete plot summary of Risky Business, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


High-achieving high school student Joel Goodsen finds himself navigating the complexities of adolescence in the upscale Chicago suburb of Glencoe, where his wealthy parents reside. With aspirations for him to attend Princeton University, his father, an alumnus, encourages Joel to join the Future Enterprisers program, which helps students create small businesses.

When Joel’s parents head out of town, his adventurous friend Miles persuades him to seize the opportunity for some lighthearted escapades. That first night, Joel indulges in his freedom—raiding the liquor cabinet, blasting music, and even joyriding in his father’s car while dancing in his undergarments to the classic tune “Old Time Rock and Roll”.

The following day, Miles facilitates a rather questionable encounter by calling a prostitute named Jackie for Joel. To his surprise, Jackie is a male cross-dresser, which prompts Joel to pay him to leave. However, Jackie ultimately provides Joel with the contact for another escort, Lana. When Joel nervously calls her that evening, he is captivated by Lana’s stunning beauty, leading to a night of passionate intimacy.

The next morning brings an unexpected dilemma as Lana requests $300 for her services. After a trip to the bank, Joel returns to find her gone, along with his mother’s prized Steuben glass egg. Desperate to retrieve it, Joel tracks down Lana, only to confront her intimidating pimp Guido, who threatens him with a gun. In a tense chase involving Joel’s father’s Porsche 928, he narrowly escapes Guido’s wrath.

Lana reveals that her valuable possessions are at Guido’s place, which prompts Joel to allow her to stay at his home while he attends school. Upon returning, Joel is surprised to find his friends gathered, and although Lana suggests inviting another escort, Vicki, he declines. The situation escalates when Guido confronts the women outside Joel’s house, prompting a chaotic scene that forces them back inside. Despite the tension, Joel eventually agrees to let them stay for one more night.

Later that evening, a relaxed vibe settles as Joel, Lana, Vicki, and Joel’s friend Barry indulge in marijuana. Their carefree demeanor leads to an unfortunate mishap—while retrieving her purse, Lana accidentally nudges the Porsche out of gear, sending it careening down a hill and into Lake Michigan, where the car sinks following the pier’s collapse.

When Joel takes the car to a repair shop, he’s hit with the grim news of the exorbitant repair costs. In a moment of desperation, he and Lana concoct a plan to transform his parents’ home into a temporary brothel for one night to raise funds. The raucous party draws in a crowd of Joel’s classmates and Lana’s colleagues, resulting in a lucrative venture.

However, fate intervenes as the evening coincides with a pivotal interview from Princeton recruiter Rutherford, who is there to assess Joel for admission. Despite the festivities, the interview is rife with distractions, leaving Rutherford unimpressed with Joel’s qualifications. Nevertheless, he unwittingly becomes acquainted with Lana and her companions amid the party atmosphere. As the night winds down, Joel and Lana share an intimate moment on the Chicago “L”.

Upon returning home after retrieving his repaired car, Joel is aghast to discover a burglary has occurred in his absence. When he attempts to reach out to Lana, he finds Guido at the other end, who informs him he could buy back his stolen furniture. In a race against time, Joel and his friends manage to restore the house just as his parents return, though his mother quickly spots a crack in her beloved egg. Ultimately, Joel’s father praises him for impressing the Princeton interviewer, ensuring his acceptance into the prestigious university.

In a concluding meeting at a restaurant, Joel shares a moment with Lana, where they ponder the potential of their relationship. With a playful grin, he quips that continuing to see each other may come at a cost, hinting at the uncertain path ahead of them.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Risky Business

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"Risky Business (1983)" Theatrical Trailer

Casting Tape Footage

Getaway from Guido, the Killer Pimp

Cars Featured in Risky Business

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Explore all cars featured in Risky Business, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


AMC

1979

Spirit

Audi

1980

4000 B2

Audi

1980

5000 C2

Buick

1975

LeSabre Custom

Buick

1981

Regal

Buick

1978

Riviera

Buick

1980

Skylark

Cadillac

1975

Coupe DeVille

Checker

1980

Taxicab

Chevrolet

1970

Camaro

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


1980steen moviedancing in underwearsex scenedance scenesex with a prostituteteenagersex on stairssexual fantasysex in a subway trainpimpprostitutionmasturbation referencetalking about masturbationmale protagonistparty while parents are awayunited states of americafemale frontal nuditylake michigancall girlpanties pulled downblondered dresspoker gamekissing in publicerotic fantasyadult actor playing minorteenage sexstrippingsexual jokesexual humorsex talkmasturbationfemale nuditychicago illinoispartycollege boundoverhearing sexteddynightcityurban settingelectronic music scoreprofanitycasual sexillinoisweightliftingwoman on top sexsex comedygerman car

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