The Spectacular Now

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The Spectacular Now

R

Released Aug 2, 2013

1h 35m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

170 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

An innocent, bookish teenager (Shailene Woodley) begins dating the charming, freewheeling high-school senior (Miles Teller) who awoke on her lawn after a night of heavy partying.

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Critics Consensus

The Spectacular Now is an adroit, sensitive film that avoids typical coming-of-age story trappings.

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Noah Berlatsky

The Atlantic

The movie wasn't smart enough to deal with the interesting protagonists it started with, and so it reverted to trope.

Aug 28, 2019

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

There are scenes, moments, and dialogue in this film that ring so true that it all comes rushing back, a flood of memories and emotions and a little bit of pain.

Jun 19, 2016

Full Review

Jared Eisenstat

Film Comment Magazine

[Ponsoldt] enjoys playing with our expectations by following conventions, luring us into the sense that we know what's coming, and then swerving just a little off-road for a detour.

Nov 4, 2013

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

The beauty of watching The Spectacular Now is that Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley are just living in the moment, in the now.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 27, 2023

Full Review

Patrick Hicks

Feelin' Film Podcast

Nothing about this film is spectacular, and that's what makes it worth watching. It's an honest look at the typical teenager, without the polished dialogue and overly-sexualized relationships seen in other teen-centered films.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 15, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

One of the interesting things about “The Spectacular Now” is how it employs several familiar plot points, but it treats each of them with a fresh and prudent sincerity.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 25, 2022

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Samuel P

The plot is cliche and the ending is predictable, but the acting and production is great. It's a good movie, but not as good as everyone seems to think that it is

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/17/24

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Johannes S

Really solid romantic drama. The performances are great, however, for it's short runtime it still feels a little slow.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/19/24

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Cem Y

Tried to find an innovation. However, it seemed to me not very different from all the other movies focusing on a similar American teenager life.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

Full Review

Allen F

This was a great film that had many great themes to it. I can’t put my finger on what was missing but that’s nitpicking.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

Full Review

jorge l

One of the best Shailene Woodley's movies on her youth.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/18/24

Full Review

Philip G

A charming mess. Gets to the thpical dark night of the soul moment and then… ends. He is a drunk. She is a doormat. No one grows. Third act is a disaster.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/02/24

Full Review

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James Ponsoldt

Director

Miles Teller

Sutter Keely

Shailene Woodley

Aimee Finicky

Brie Larson

Cassidy

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Sara

Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Holly Keely

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The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - The Morning After

1:53

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - You Are Not Your Father

2:34

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - I Want a Future

2:10

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - Drunken Dad

3:09

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - You Don't Love Me!

1:56

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - Jealous Boyfriend

2:08

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - You're Absolutely Beautiful

2:31

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - It's Good to Have Dreams

2:30

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - I Can't Promise That

1:55

The Spectacular Now: Official Clip - Awkward Graduation

2:02

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Synopsis

An innocent, bookish teenager (Shailene Woodley) begins dating the charming, freewheeling high-school senior (Miles Teller) who awoke on her lawn after a night of heavy partying.

Director: James Ponsoldt
Producer: Michelle Krumm, Andrew Lauren, Shawn Levy, Tom McNulty
Screenwriter: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Andrew Lauren Productions
Rating: R (All Involving Teens|Alcohol Use|Language|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 2, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 9, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.9M
Runtime: 1h 35m

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