SummaryThe story of a group of overachieving Asian-American high school honor students in a conservative Los Angeles suburb who lead a double life of mischief and petty crimes that alleviate the pressures of perfection. (Paramount)
Directed By:Justin Lin
Written By:Ernesto Foronda, Justin Lin, Fabian Marquez
Better Luck Tomorrow
Metascore
Generally Favorable
67
User score
Generally Favorable
6.5
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
72% Positive
23 Reviews
23 Reviews
28% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
In some ways, this is "The Graduate" gone to "Lord of the Flies."
80
Breathes new life into a familiar story: coming of age in high school.
75
The same premise could have been turned into a satirical comedy, but Better Luck Tomorrow opts for a more corrosive, challenging route, one whose troubling, morally ambiguous ending offers no easy resolution.
75
"Rebel Without a Cause" with a debate club, Better Luck Tomorrow is a sharp, smart slice of suburban angst among the high school overachiever set.
63
Good idea for a movie about rebellious Asian Americans doesn't fully pan out.
50
Seeing BLT has been positioned as a political act. Alas: The film in question seems hardly worth the fuss.
40
uUltimately Better Luck Tomorrow feels nearly as hollow and unknowable as its characters’ hearts.
User score
Generally Favorable
50% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
38% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
13% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Mar 5, 2026
9
Very entertaining film with good cinematography, great actors, and a compelling soundtrack; albeit the story ends on a cliffhanger and requires a reasonable amount of suspension of disbelief for consequences of the actions of the characters.
Apr 3, 2013
0
The crazy jackrabbit character. Seen it. The smooth criminal operator. Seen it. Stealing stuff easily through an inside job. Seen it. The protagonist that wants out but can't get out. Seen it. Simply a movie that drags itself along by shooting cliche after cliche.
Production Company:
- Cherry Sky Films
- Day O Productions
- Hudson River Entertainment
- MTV Films
- Trailing Johnson Productions
Release Date:Apr 11, 2003
Duration:1 h 41 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Never underestimate an overachiever.
Awards
San Diego Asian Film Festival
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Sundance Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 1 Nomination
