The Terrifying Jurassic Park Scene That Stuck With Ariana Richards

The original "Jurassic Park" tells an outlandish story that's grounded in reality, laying a strong, almost fossil-like foundation for what would become a full-fledged franchise. The movie explores themes like the unpredictability of evolution, the consequences of greed, and impetuous scientific discovery, confronting the audience with the delicate balance of the natural world as the characters reckon with forces beyond their control. The dinosaurs are just an added bonus. The plot is elevated by captivating performances from the entire supporting cast, led by Sam Neill as Dr. Alan Grant, Laura Dern as Dr. Ellie Sattler, and Jeff Goldblum as Dr. Ian Malcolm. The characters' innate likability allows viewers to immediately connect with them, making the stakes that much higher when their situation takes a turn for the worse.

The movie also features Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello as Lex and Tim Murphy, respectively, park owner John Hammond's (Richard Attenborough) grandkids. As children, they serve as the park's target audience within the narrative, though this tactic quickly backfires when the dinosaurs get loose. Their wide-eyed wonderment soon turns to horror, and the young actors fully commit themselves to each scene. Besides the impending threat of being eaten, the film's main conflict centers around Alan, Lex, and Tim's attempts to reach safety after the park's security system is deactivated. According to Richards, working on the film was an incredibly memorable experience, though the making of one action-packed sequence stands above the rest.