SummaryA period ensemble piece about a group of Texas teenagers on the last day of high school and the night that follows in 1976.
Directed By:Richard Linklater
Written By:Richard Linklater
Dazed and Confused
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
82
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
My Score
Drag or tap to give a rating
Hover and click to give a rating
Not available in your country?
ExpressVPN
Get 3 Extra months free
$6.67/mth
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
82
86% Positive
18 Reviews
18 Reviews
14% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
It’s a strange film in many ways, affectless and directionless, coolly refusing the usual dramatic beats and climactic moments, and as unreflective as MOR rock.
100
One of the most exciting movies of this, or any other, year. It's smart, funny, and wonderfully crafted and performed.
User score
Generally Favorable
8.0
82% Positive
168 Ratings
168 Ratings
15% Mixed
30 Ratings
30 Ratings
3% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
Aug 2, 2025
10
Classic must see, if only to become more culturally literate in reference to the 90's classic movie genre.
Apr 14, 2024
10
The thing that stunned me the most about Dazed and Confused is not any inventive humor, but the realism it captures. This is a movie that's a worthy to behold because of its realistic portrayal of a day of high schoolers lives, a humorous touch to it that also looks so realistic, and the great cast that's assembled; I noticed two familiar actors that looked young in this movie: Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey. Richard Linklater really makes great realistic movies especially Boyhood, and it can really take you back to nostalgia just by letting yourself be absorbed into the movie and characters with them.
90
Richard Linklater's satirical take on high school life in the 1970s is not only funny and entertaining. It's practically a historic document of life during the smiley-face button era.
80
What could have been a narrow, cultish little picture, a mere retro-trip, fans out into a broader study of longing and belonging. [4 Oct 1993, p.214]
75
For a while, I resented the sexist, cruel behavior in the film, much of it revolving around the hazing of underclassmen. But gradually, I saw the movie turn into a brash expose of stupid adolescent traditions. [24 Sept 1993]
70
Dazed and Confused has an enjoyably playful spirit, one that amply compensates for its lack of structure.
50
Disappointingly conventional though well-made...An OK teen movie, but not a whole lot more.
Nov 3, 2021
10
Once again Richard Linklater confirms to be truly an atypical director who alternates extremely personal projects with commercial ones. This is by far the best teen movie ever made. The characters are fantastic and every time you watc this movie it it's a bit like the protagonist's friends are your friends too. This film smells of real life, old times and true friendship.
Mar 4, 2021
10
This is a great film. This is a great film. This is a great film. This is a great film.
Jun 16, 2014
6
Dazed and Confused very accurately portrays the whole "teenage wasteland" of the 70's, I'll give it that, but it ultimately has no real plot or any real end. It swerves back and forth between certain key scenes without actually going anywhere. But, it is one very entertaining movie for what it is. The whole reason to watch Dazed and Confused is Matthew McConaughey saying "alright, alright, alright!"
Feb 5, 2019
3
What is funny or at least interesting in a couple of teenagers smoking marijuana and talking foolishness?
Apr 4, 2016
2
Don't even try to watch this one, just see the sequel instead. The film has no point whatsoever, and is just 103 minutes of pure stupidity. From such a great director like Richard Linklater, this film is a major disappointment.
Production Company:
- Gramercy Pictures (I)
- Alphaville Films
- Detour Filmproduction
Release Date:Sep 24, 1993
Duration:1 h 42 m
Rating:R
Tagline:It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget... if only they could remember.
Awards
Awards Circuit Community Awards
• 2 Nominations
Texas Film Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Locarno Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
