Mask

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Mask

PG-13

1985

2h 0m

Biography

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz) is an intelligent, outgoing and humorous teenager who suffers from a facial deformity called "lionitis" and has now outlived his life expectancy. While his mother, Rusty (Cher), struggles to fight for his acceptance in the public school system, he proves himself to be a highly accomplished student. Though Rocky endures ridicule for his appearance, he finds love and respect from his mother's biker gang family, and even experiences his first love.

Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Oct 22, 2018

Directed with great sensitivity by Peter Bogdanovich, Cher portrays Rusty with an almost sweet vulnerability.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 26, 2010

4/5

Complex, moving story most appropriate for teens.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Jul 18, 2007

The film's undeniable impact comes from Bogdanovich's willingness to go too far with practically every emotional moment, while maintaining a distant, classical visual style that gives the film a surface dignity and reserve.

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

May 6, 2024

With this rather hazy material, Cher works wonders. Around the vagueness of the story, she weaves her own personal mystery.

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Jas Keimig

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Jan 5, 2022

There was so much I loved about Mask. Eric Stoltz's excellent performance as the real-life Rocky Dennis, a funny and kind sixteen-year-old with craniodiaphyseal dysplasia...

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Apr 16, 2011

B+

Exremely well acted family melodrama about a disfigured boy that in the hands of another director could have been a schmaltzy TV Movie of the Week

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

Mask = a *4.5* star Movie!

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Noel L

@RT15930389 Jul 15, 2026

I wonder if the story of Rocky Dennis inspired the story of "Wonder". There seemed to be a lot of similarities, except this film is in the teenage years

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Mike R.

@RT16582562 Jun 10, 2026

You will empathize with Rocky and his mother rusty, exprrtly played by Eric Stoltz & Cher. Fantastic, superbly acted, meaningful, heartfelt film. 5 stars.

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Erock T

@Erock1991 Feb 6, 2026

Fantastic movie about an interesting and unique kid. Great cast and top notch acting. It will make you laugh, cheer and cry. A must see

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Al B

@AlB78 Jan 31, 2026

Hands down my favorite Cher movie!

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Louise M

@RT37329578 Sep 17, 2025

I watched this movie as a kid and bought it when I got older. Cher is just amazing and I gave full admiration for the mother of Rocky. It's a really sad film. Sad because of Rocky's disability and sad because he touched the hearts of so many who genuinely loved him. His mother was obviously a 'not taking any sh' bad ass and I loved that. She obviously had a wave of support which was lovely to see. In a world where people are treated badly because of their indifference, Rocky shows himself to the world with no shame, no hiding. He is who he is. Everyone he meets loves him but not as much as his mother. It's so sad when he dies. To know this great acting is based on a true story makes it even more heart wrenching. Brilliant film.

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Peter Bogdanovich

Director

Eric Stoltz

Roy L.`'Rocky'` Dennis

Cher

Florence `'Rusty'` Dennis

Sam Elliott

Gar

Estelle Getty

Evelyn

Richard Dysart

Abe

Mask: Official Clip - Rocky & Diana

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Mask: Official Clip - Rusty Remembers Rocky

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Mask: Official Clip - Meeting Diana's Parents

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Mask: Official Clip - Prostitute Fallout

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Mask: Official Clip - Rocky's Test Results

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Mask: Official Clip - Rocky's Lionitis

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Synopsis

Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz) is an intelligent, outgoing and humorous teenager who suffers from a facial deformity called "lionitis" and has now outlived his life expectancy. While his mother, Rusty (Cher), struggles to fight for his acceptance in the public school system, he proves himself to be a highly accomplished student. Though Rocky endures ridicule for his appearance, he finds love and respect from his mother's biker gang family, and even experiences his first love.

Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Production Co: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 8, 1985, Original
Release Date (DVD): Aug 22, 1997
Runtime: 2h 0m

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