Reality Bites

PG-13

Now Playing

1 hr. 38 min.

Drama

List

62%

60 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Jeff M

It's not unreasonable to think that as we grow and change as human beings, our tastes and appreciation for the arts may change as well. I had seen bits and pieces of this movie back in the 90s after it first came out and remember liking what I saw. It didn't necessarily wow me, but I felt an affinity toward the characters and their post-college plights. Watching it now as I come close to 50, it took every bit of self-control not to turn it off after 20 minutes. I see now how self-involved, materialistic, and repugnant these characters are - and I suppose, in a way, that's the point. But golly gee, being around them for 90 or so minutes is a chore. The screenplay is often overly clever and impressed with itself, using catch phrases and social media references that reminded me a bit of JUNO. Thankfully, the cast is full of talented actors who manage to find moments of depth even when the dialogue is a bit cringy. I especially appreciated the tempestuous relationship between Ryder and Hawke - there is serious sexual tension between them. As usual with these types of films, none of the adults are three-dimensional characters, and their scenes add nothing to the whole. Who knows - maybe in another 20 year or so I'll be a little more forgiving. I know this movie has a strong fan base, and I can see why, but for me, I couldn't get past the sheer annoyance of pretty much everyone on screen.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/21/24

Full Review

Crey Fish S

The similarities between Gen X and Gen Z can be felt greatly. Two generations handed broken worlds with the expectation it will be magically fixed. I don't know man. Maybe I'm grasping at straws but this film really connected with me and until Gen Z gets its own film, Reality Bites will be my go to.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

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Hayley M

Great film for a trip down 90s lane! The fashion, the script.... the music ..... Always hoping the main heart throbs Ethan and Winona very toxic, dysfunctional relationship will finally turn around ...

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

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B J

Slightly over the top Gen X classic that captures the culture of the 90's. A fun amd entertaining watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/31/23

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Robbie S

i really loved this one and think it was great

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/31/23

Full Review

Jen P

Reality Bites is a fun movie about a group of friends trying to find their place in this world. Ironically, them not being able to find it no matter how hard they try, if they even try at all, okay they try a little bit, makes it even more fun. You're also not going to feel any sense of enlightenment or clarity about what you want in life after watching this movie. Just the subtle reminder that it's okay even if you've no idea. Also, great soundtrack.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/26/23

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

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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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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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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
Executive Producer: Bill Finnegan, William Barclay, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Helen Childress
Distributor: Argentina Video Home, United International Pictures, MCA/Universal Pictures [us]
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Jersey Films
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
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, DTS

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