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Reality Bites

Play trailer Poster for Reality Bites PG-13 Released Feb 18, 1994 1h 38m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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62% Tomatometer 60 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
After college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) films a documentary about herself and friends as they flounder in their attempts to forge relationships and begin careers. Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) works retail, has an endless string of one-night stands and awaits the results of her HIV test. Sammy (Steve Zahn) tries to come out to his parents. Lelaina gets involved with yuppie Michael (Ben Stiller) while maintaining a love-hate relationship with Troy (Ethan Hawke), who's undergoing an existential crisis.
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Reality Bites

Reality Bites

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Critics Consensus

Reality Bites may be too slick to fulfill its promise as a profound statement on Generation X, but an appealing ensemble and romantic sizzle make for an entertaining dive into the ennui of youth.

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Critics Reviews

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Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) A lot has changed between the generations, but Reality Bites asks a question that anyone, of any age, will find familiar: what happens when the life you were promised isn't the life you got? Aug 3, 2019 Full Review Noel Murray AV Club In a picture full of painful moments, it's hard to decide on the lowest point. Aug 3, 2019 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek Written with verve and played with grace, Reality Bites is too smart to pass itself off as a definitive statement, but it gets the details delightfully right. Feb 15, 2018 Full Review Sean Burns WBUR’s Arts & Culture For a lot of us Gen Xers, watching ‘Reality Bites’ now is like looking at an awkward yearbook picture of yourself when you had your worst haircut. Apr 25, 2024 Full Review Grant Watson Fiction Machine As a depiction of a particular age in a particular country for a specific generation, it is still a pleasant nostalgic trip. Rated: 6/10 Mar 26, 2021 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a fairly by-the-numbers setup that's employed to impressively compelling (and relatable) effect by first-time filmmaker Stiller... Rated: 3/4 Jun 17, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

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Jack M A lot has changed between the generations, but Reality Bites asks a question that anyone, of any age, will find familiar: what happens when the life you were promised isn't the life you got? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/21/25 Full Review thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 06/21/25 Full Review Cliff M The movie was pretty lackluster, with a weak plot that failed to capture my interest. However, the absolute low point was the kids. They were the archetype of that gross, rebellious "I'm not gonna conform to the system, man" persona. The only character I liked was Ben Stiller's character because he didn’t have that quality and didnt say corny shh like the other. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 04/08/25 Full Review Rob A Definitely dated, this Gen. X film focuses on disillusionment and a love triangle between rebel Ethan Hawke, yuppie Ben Stiller and former valedictorian turned fast food worker Winona Ryder. I'm 56 (Gen. X) and I loved it. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/20/25 Full Review Scott M Very much a dated movie about the early 90's culture. But it's one of my favorites because of Winona Ryder. Who carries the movie. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/25 Full Review Roberto S An entertaining slice of early 90’s American pop culture which serves as a nostalgic fix for aging Gen-Xers Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Reality Bites

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Reality Bites

Reality Bites: Official Clip - My Sharona Reality Bites: Official Clip - My Sharona 1:05 Reality Bites: Official Clip - You Look Like a Doily Reality Bites: Official Clip - You Look Like a Doily 2:51 Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Den of Slack Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Den of Slack 1:47 Reality Bites: Official Clip - Troy Comes Back Reality Bites: Official Clip - Troy Comes Back 2:59 Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Total Prick Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Total Prick 2:54 Reality Bites: Official Clip - Only Love Can Break Your Heart Reality Bites: Official Clip - Only Love Can Break Your Heart 2:48 Reality Bites: Official Clip - Freaking Out Reality Bites: Official Clip - Freaking Out 2:27 Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Cup of Joe Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Cup of Joe 2:03 Reality Bites: Official Clip - The World Doesn't Owe You Any Favors Reality Bites: Official Clip - The World Doesn't Owe You Any Favors 2:18 Reality Bites: Official Clip - Non-Practicing Virgin Reality Bites: Official Clip - Non-Practicing Virgin 1:50 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis After college, Lelaina (Winona Ryder) films a documentary about herself and friends as they flounder in their attempts to forge relationships and begin careers. Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) works retail, has an endless string of one-night stands and awaits the results of her HIV test. Sammy (Steve Zahn) tries to come out to his parents. Lelaina gets involved with yuppie Michael (Ben Stiller) while maintaining a love-hate relationship with Troy (Ethan Hawke), who's undergoing an existential crisis.
Director
Ben Stiller
Producer
Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg
Screenwriter
Helen Childress
Distributor
Argentina Video Home, United International Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co
Jersey Films, Universal Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 18, 1994, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 30, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$20.0M
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo, DTS
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