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Leaving Las Vegas

Play trailer 2:49 Poster for Leaving Las Vegas R 1995 1h 51m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Adapted from the novel by John O'Brien, this acclaimed drama follows alcoholic screenwriter Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) as he drinks himself into oblivion in Las Vegas. When Ben meets the beautiful prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue), they strike up an unconventional relationship -- one where she can't ask him to curb his drinking, and he can't fault her for her job. Though they offer each other support, Ben's self-destruction threatens to eclipse their bond.
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Leaving Las Vegas

Leaving Las Vegas

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Critics Consensus

Oscar-awarded Nicolas Cage finds humanity in his character as it bleeds away in this no frills, exhilaratingly dark portrait of destruction.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek A love story like no other, Mike Figgis's Leaving Las Vegas is a bleak, mesmerizing rhapsody of self-destruction, defiantly uninterested in peddling Hollywood-style uplift. Feb 23, 2018 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online This movie was like watching a car crash in slow motion. You knew there was going to be a crash, but I just wished it would just happen already, and not have spent two hours getting to the impact. Rated: B+ Sep 12, 2017 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Dark and giddy at the same time, Leaving Las Vegas takes us into dreamy, intoxicated places no movie about an alcoholic has gone before. Rated: A- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Quentin Crisp Christopher Street It is the most boring film ever made -- worse than a documentary. Apr 25, 2022 Full Review Rene Rodriguez Miami Herald Leaving Las Vegas is a relentless downer -- look at it as a love story for anyone who found The Bridges of Madison County too precious -- but it's worth sticking through for its two lead performances. Rated: 3/4 Aug 18, 2021 Full Review Ben Kuchera Polygon The movie contains career-best performances from Nicolas Cage... and Elisabeth Shue. Aug 4, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jack F I can see why some would find it a boring movie, but I liked it. It's a little inappropriate though. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/17/25 Full Review josh H. A bleak affair. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 11/10/25 Full Review Cecilia S A love story like no other, Mike Figgis's Leaving Las Vegas is a bleak, mesmerizing rhapsody of self-destruction, defiantly uninterested in peddling Hollywood-style uplift. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/04/25 Full Review Gina R This movie was like watching a car crash in slow motion. You knew there was going to be a crash, but I just wished it would just happen already, and not have spent two hours getting to the impact. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/28/25 Full Review Melissa L This movie was really intense! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/17/25 Full Review Ryan M I should show this to my wife to make me look good. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Leaving Las Vegas

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Figgis

Director

Nicolas Cage

Ben Sanderson

Elisabeth Shue

Sera

Julian Sands

Yuri

Richard Lewis

Peter

Valeria Golino

Terri

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Leaving Las Vegas

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Leaving Las Vegas

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Movie Info

Synopsis Adapted from the novel by John O'Brien, this acclaimed drama follows alcoholic screenwriter Ben Sanderson (Nicolas Cage) as he drinks himself into oblivion in Las Vegas. When Ben meets the beautiful prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue), they strike up an unconventional relationship -- one where she can't ask him to curb his drinking, and he can't fault her for her job. Though they offer each other support, Ben's self-destruction threatens to eclipse their bond.
Director
Mike Figgis
Producer
Annie Stewart, Lila Cazès
Screenwriter
John O'Brien, Mike Figgis
Distributor
United Artists, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co
Studio Canal, Initial Productions, Lumiere Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 27, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 4, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$29.9M
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Surround
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