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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. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch Reality Bites
Watch Reality Bites with a subscription on Peacock, rent on Vudu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, or buy on Vudu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video.
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Reality Bites videos
Reality Bites: Official Clip - My Sharona
Reality Bites: Official Clip - You Look Like a Doily
Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Den of Slack
Reality Bites: Official Clip - Troy Comes Back
Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Total Prick
Reality Bites: Official Clip - Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Reality Bites: Official Clip - Freaking Out
Reality Bites: Official Clip - A Cup of Joe
Reality Bites: Official Clip - The World Doesn't Owe You Any Favors
Reality Bites: Official Clip - Non-Practicing Virgin
Reality Bites Photos
Movie Info
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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Rating: PG-13
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Genre: Drama
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Original Language: English
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Director: Ben Stiller
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Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg
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Writer: Helen Childress
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Release Date (Theaters): wide
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Box Office (Gross USA): $20.0M
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Runtime:
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Distributor: Argentina Video Home, United International Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
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Production Co: Universal Pictures, Jersey Films
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Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, DTS
Cast & Crew
Critic Reviews for Reality Bites
Audience Reviews for Reality Bites
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Troy Dyer: You can't navigate me. I may do mean things, and I may hurt you, and I may run away without your permission, and you may hate me forever, and I know that scares the living shit outta you 'cause you know I'm the only real thing you got. "A Comedy About Love In The 90's" I didn't really know what I was getting myself into with Reality Bites, plot wise. I just saw that it was comedy directed by Ben Stiller, that had an excellent cast including: Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Steve Zahn; and that was enough for me. I can't sit here and say that Reality Bites is as important a film as it seems everybody involved thought it was. Basically, it's a lot like Linklater's Suburbia. It's all about a quartet of friends getting out of college and realizing that the world may not actually be their oyster. The real world isn't the walk in the park they thought it would be. No, they will have to deal with people that are hard to work with. They will have to put up with shit, just so they can pay the rent. And they'll have to do it all by themselves. As a character in the movie says, "The world doesn't owe you any favors." I'm sure Stiller would love to think that this film is anything more than a romantic comedy, but at the heart, that's all it is. But don't be too bummed that your film didn't quite make it the extra mile you wanted it to, because you still have a highly enjoyable and pretty well made Romantic Dramedy. Four friends are now out of college and living together. One works at the GAP, one works as a helping hand on a tv show, one is gay, and one is a genius, that is too smart to actually make a difference in the world. There's a lot of dialogue about their concerns on life, on what to do, and on who to love or how to love. The best part of this movie happens to be Ethan Hawke as Troy. This might possibly be the best performance I've ever seen from Hawke. He isn't one of my favorite actors out there, but I think he is a highly underrated actor. His character is one of the love interests of Winona Ryder's character. They've been friends for years, and could always talk to each other, but under the surface, there is something more between them. Overall, there's really nothing wrong with Reality Bites, except that maybe was trying to be more than it really is. But what it is, is good enough.
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Not having seen this when it first came out and not having really lived through the early '90s, I still find this movie remarkably dated. Perhaps it's the grunge costumes or "The Real World"-esque yuppie ennui. There is some moving dialogue though: Troy: Besides, everyone dies all by himself. Michael: If you really believe that, who are you looking for out here?
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Ben Stiller was the correct choice as filmmaker for this farewell to generation x storyline. Reality Bites is relevant and engaging on most fronts. Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder are fun to watch. You tend to see their connection from the beginning, but like all the standard genre clichés, they come together by the end. Funny and interesting script. There is a lot on offer here and for fans of the generation this is one film worthy of a revisit. 30/08/2019
brendan n Super Reviewer -
Reality Bites is a '90s dark comedy cult classic film from director Ben Stiller. The story surrounds an aspiring documentarian who follows her friends who struggle to find their way in post-college life. The film has a strong cast that includes Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo, and Ben Stiller. Ryder and Stiller give especially compelling performances and have a good onscreen chemistry. However, the film tries too hard at times to be culturally relevant; addressing everything from the Gap to AIDS. Still, it has a compelling story with some edgy comedic satire. Reality Bites is a fun and entertaining film that provides an interesting take on the youth culture of the '90s.
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