Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- sardonic
- wistful
- lazy sunday
- post graduation viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a distinctive, witty, and perceptive portrait of post-college drift, with strong dialogue and performances outweighing its deliberately static character dynamics.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Grover and his friends avoid decisive life changes while lingering around their university and comparing themselves with professional student Chet.
The friends’ campus conversations and arguments carry much of the film’s humor and characterization.
Jane’s plan to study writing in Prague forces Grover to confront his refusal to make a major life decision.
The film focuses on recent graduates who cannot quite leave the university’s social world behind.
Films like Kicking and Screaming, and why
Reality Bites
shared post-college aimlessness, witty conversational humor, and male friendship dynamics
The Last Days of Disco
shared ensemble of drifting young adults, romantic uncertainty, and understated comedy drama
Before Sunrise
shared mumblecore-adjacent conversational realism, relationship anxiety, and urban young-adult melancholy
Metropolitan
shared coming-of-age stasis, collegiate milieu, and sharp ensemble banter
Movie Details
- Director
- Noah Baumbach
- Release Date
- 1995-10-06
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (249)
Cast
- Josh Hamilton
- Olivia D'Abo
- Chris Eigeman
- Parker Posey
- Jason Wiles
- Cara Buono
- Carlos Jacott
- Elliott Gould
- Eric Stoltz
- Samuel Gould
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Kicking and Screaming about?
- A sharp, wistful ensemble comedy about recent graduates clinging to campus life while adulthood waits outside.
- What is Kicking and Screaming like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Kicking and Screaming as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Kicking and Screaming violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Kicking and Screaming.
- What did critics think of Kicking and Screaming?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a distinctive, witty, and perceptive portrait of post-college drift, with strong dialogue and performances outweighing its deliberately static character dynamics.
- Which films are like Kicking and Screaming?
- Films with a similar feel include Reality Bites, The Last Days of Disco, Before Sunrise, and Metropolitan.
- How long is Kicking and Screaming?
- Kicking and Screaming runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch Kicking and Screaming?
- In United States, Kicking and Screaming is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
