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Reality Bites

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Reality Bites

PG-13

Released Feb 18, 1994

1h 38m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Arya S

Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke are thoroughly engaging, and although the 90s sensibilities may seem a bit outdated now, this was a worthy first effort by Ben Stiller to capture the times. Nostalgic soundtrack.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/03/24

Full Review

Mike P

Or "F*R*I*E*N*D*S the Movie"; this cutesy, cloying, Gen X Rom/Com, brought to us by Ben Stiller and the Producer of The Big Chill himself, Sheldon Pinchuk, isn't half as clever as it thinks it is...(It's like FORMULA REBELLION...Repackaged for the mainstream masses)...And it follows the very standard misadventures of young Lelaina Pierce; played by a beautiful Winona Ryder; who was just Valedictorian of her class; and a recent grad...Who only JUST NOW realizes that REAL LIFE and THE JOB MARKET aren't exactly the way she thought it would be...And so this is all watchable but predictable and unoriginal, as you might expect..The most annoying part being Ethan Hawke suddenly breaking out into song during the climax; and being dubbed by all the Cassidy brothers or something. So overall.."Reality" Doesn't Bite; but it doesn't ROCK either..

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/01/24

Full Review

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Ben Stiller

Director

Winona Ryder

Lelaina Pierce

Ethan Hawke

Troy Dyer

Ben Stiller

Michael Grates

Janeane Garofalo

Vickie Miner

Steve Zahn

Sammy Gray

Reality Bites: Official Clip - My Sharona

1:05

Reality Bites: Official Clip - You Look Like a Doily

2:51

Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Den of Slack

1:47

Reality Bites: Official Clip - Troy Comes Back

2:59

Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Total Prick

2:54

Reality Bites: Official Clip - Only Love Can Break Your Heart

2:48

Reality Bites: Official Clip - Freaking Out

2:27

Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Cup of Joe

2:03

Reality Bites: Official Clip - The World Doesn't Owe You Any Favors

2:18

Reality Bites: Official Clip - Non-Practicing Virgin

1:50

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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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