The Big Chill

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The Big Chill

R

1983

1h 43m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

43 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

This compassionate "comedy of values" probes the growing pains of seven college housemates from the 1960s who have drifted apart and then reunite at the funeral of a friend. Having entered adulthood as non-conformists, most now belong to the establishment. Harold (Kevin Kline) has "grown up" to be a running-shoe magnate; Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a gossip magazine journalist; Sam (Tom Berenger), TV's hottest private eye; and Nick (William Hurt), a drug dealer. Among the women, Sarah (Glenn Close) is a doctor; Meg (Mary Kay Place), a lawyer; and Karen (JoBeth Williams), a wife and mother in the suburbs. Stunned by the death of their peer, sensing their own mortality and the loss of their innocence, each takes the opportunity to reevaluate his or her life and re-establish their bond.

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Critics Consensus

The Big Chill captures a generation's growing ennui with a terrific cast, a handful of perceptive insights, and one of the decade's best film soundtracks.

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Arthur Knight

The Hollywood Reporter

Jan 29, 2019

What might have been a meaningful exploration of the changes wrought by 20 years of abrasive reality is diverted, essentially, into who's going to wind up sleeping with whom.

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Keith Phipps

The Dissolve

Jul 28, 2014

3.5/5

...even though it's aware of their narcissism, The Big Chill still views its characters sympathetically, even when they do little to invite much sympathy themselves.

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Variety Staff

Variety

May 5, 2008

Characters are generally middle-of-the-roaders, and pic lacks a tough-minded spokesman who might bring them all up short for a moment.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 22, 2026

4/4

As universal in its ambitions and appeal as it is specific in its characterizations and timeframe.

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

May 7, 2024

The film is as disappointing as being alive, but I must hastily add that it is very carefully prepared for the screen; at all times, it looks natural and the acting is superb.

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Jennifer O’Callaghan

PopMatters

Oct 5, 2022

The Big Chill‘s blunt suggestion that one may not have lived up to their younger self’s dreams or morals hits a universal nerve to this day.

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Junior S

@RT39899143 Aug 21, 2026

Excellently titled movie exploring the apparent selling out of the baby boomer generation to corporate capitalism after their wonton but supposedly principled, revolutionary heyday. After the founding member of a group of former hippie college friends commits suicide they gather to mourn the loss and sort themselves out. The superficial attitudes and narcissistic behaviors of the characters are ultimately shown to be the same free-love motivations, the same live and let live ethos , the same sex-drugs-rock n roll lifestyle they always had; it had just been corrupted by mammon. Once the characters are together again, after so long, their true orientation to life emerges, slowly, humanly. The beauty of the movie is in how it navigates these two historical facts for the baby boomers, and points to a transcendent commitment, once wholly felt, now demanding extraction. Then, the movie just ends. But the tension is transcendent. The Big Chill is us, it is every generation.

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Vincent S

@Vin_E_At_The_Movies Aug 6, 2026

A funny, heartfelt, nostalgic comedy, drama with outstanding performances by the entire cast. This was a cast just starting to become legendary. Funny, great music and a lot of fun. As a child I loved grownup movies like this. Jeff Goldblum is quirky and hilarious.

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Sabra P

@Sabra606 Jul 16, 2026

Kasdan's portrait of the Baby Boom generation--the Yuppie--is a zeitgeist film that is enjoyable due to strong ensemble acting and popular tunes.

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Mina K.

@vitaminq Mar 4, 2026

Great music to be used in each scene. Lovely casts and characters.

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AnnieMPS

@asimutis Feb 18, 2026

Best cast, soundtrack, etc

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Marcel G

@Sideshow022 Jan 2, 2026

One of my all-time favourites. Exceptional cast.

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Lawrence Kasdan

Director

William Hurt

Nick

Glenn Close

Sarah

Kevin Kline

Harold

Tom Berenger

Sam

Jeff Goldblum

Michael

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Synopsis

This compassionate "comedy of values" probes the growing pains of seven college housemates from the 1960s who have drifted apart and then reunite at the funeral of a friend. Having entered adulthood as non-conformists, most now belong to the establishment. Harold (Kevin Kline) has "grown up" to be a running-shoe magnate; Michael (Jeff Goldblum), a gossip magazine journalist; Sam (Tom Berenger), TV's hottest private eye; and Nick (William Hurt), a drug dealer. Among the women, Sarah (Glenn Close) is a doctor; Meg (Mary Kay Place), a lawyer; and Karen (JoBeth Williams), a wife and mother in the suburbs. Stunned by the death of their peer, sensing their own mortality and the loss of their innocence, each takes the opportunity to reevaluate his or her life and re-establish their bond.

Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Producer: Michael Shamberg
Screenwriter: Lawrence Kasdan, Barbara Benedek
Distributor: RCA/Columbia, Columbia Pictures, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Carson Productions, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 1983, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $57.0K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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