The Rules of Attraction

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1:54

The Rules of Attraction

R

Released Oct 11, 2002

1h 50m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

44%

Tomatometer

142 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, "Rules" centers around Partrick Bateman's younger brother and his college friends bizarre mating rituals that mix sex, drugs, music and mayhem in a kaleidoscopic story about three students entangled in a curiously surreal romantic triangle...

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Critics Consensus

A tiresome movie about unsympathetic college kids engaging in self-destructive behaviors.

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Barbara Ellen

The Times (UK)

This is an exercise that is in love with its own superficiality, delighted with an emptiness that was all it ever aspired to, and yet it manages to turn into a better movie than it has any right to be.

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Not for kids, and not for many adults, either.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Actually I quite enjoyed the movie--but how do I get rid of this awful discharge?

Feb 11, 2008

Full Review

Michael Cuby

them.

The Rules of Attraction is a mind-blowingly fun comedy about young college students that apparently have nothing better to do...

Nov 2, 2022

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

A wild, speedy tale of college and debauchery (20th anniversary)

Rated: 4/5

Oct 14, 2022

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Taking off from Ellis’ monotone, Avary spreads his wings and sings.

Rated: A+

Sep 17, 2022

Full Review

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Shaun R

Underrated film. Enjoyable and surprisingly dark, without taking itself too seriously. The joys and tragedy of being young is well caught here.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Brad S. R

A well made film about a group of shallow and unpleasant people.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

Full Review

Geke g

Very real life related context. Like a lot

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

Full Review

Bahad j

In my opinion, the movie uses very good camera and audio visual equipment and the crew members and the filmmakers have played their roles very well. I really liked it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/24

Full Review

Demetris A

This is a story of rich college kids that commit suicide. It happens a lot. Who cares!!! A close friend did it; hung for a girl! Actually colleges should care and educate them NOT to do it. “JUST DONT DO IT”. But colleges are useless. They just educate kids to pretend they are rich-but they are not; they are absolute poor souls. Remember that Nancy Reagan campaign against drugs! Another rich bad hobby. Who cares… What is really annoying is that this movie is listed under comedy. It should be under f…g tragedy..

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

Michael F

Such an amazing dark film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/23/24

Full Review

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Roger Avary

Director

James Van Der Beek

Sean Bateman

Ian Somerhalder

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The Rules of Attraction: Trailer 1

1:54

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Synopsis

Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, "Rules" centers around Partrick Bateman's younger brother and his college friends bizarre mating rituals that mix sex, drugs, music and mayhem in a kaleidoscopic story about three students entangled in a curiously surreal romantic triangle...

Director: Roger Avary
Producer: Greg Shapiro
Screenwriter: Bret Easton Ellis, Roger Avary
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Kingsgate Films
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Strong Sexual Content|Violent Images)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.5M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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