Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- melancholic
- volatile
- late night indie film viewing
- teen drama marathon
What critics said
Critics found a stylish but uneven teen drama whose provocative premise and performances were balanced by mixed execution and occasionally strained tonal shifts.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Caroline, Thurston, and the surrounding characters must mature as romantic choices, grief, violence, and social instability converge.
The high school social world is shadowed by a serial killer and an industrial fire on the town's outskirts.
Caroline begins a sexual relationship with her teacher, Mr. A, making adult authority and teenage experimentation central to the drama.
Caroline's relationships, Thurston's grief over his best friend, and the serial-killer threat develop simultaneously before their consequences converge.
Films like Daydream Nation, and why
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
teen coming-of-age drama combining romantic entanglements, outsider identity, and dark small-town unease
The Spectacular Now
stylized adolescent romance shaped by alienation, sexuality, and a heightened suburban or small-town atmosphere
Heathers
darkly comic teen drama about outsider status, emotional immaturity, and unsettling violence beneath ordinary youth culture
Ghost World
romantic coming-of-age story with an unconventional heroine, melancholy humor, and emotionally messy relationships
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Goldbach
- Release Date
- 2011-05-06
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (178)
Cast
- Kat Dennings
- Reece Thompson
- Josh Lucas
- Andie MacDowell
- Rachel Blanchard
- Natasha Calis
- Quinn Lord
- Calum Worthy
- Laura Jacobs
- Ted Whittall
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Daydream Nation about?
- A rebellious new girl, a grieving classmate, and a reckless teacher become entangled in a volatile small-town coming-of-age drama shadowed by a serial killer.
- What is Daydream Nation like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Daydream Nation as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Daydream Nation violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Daydream Nation as moderate.
- What did critics think of Daydream Nation?
- Critics found a stylish but uneven teen drama whose provocative premise and performances were balanced by mixed execution and occasionally strained tonal shifts.
- Which films are like Daydream Nation?
- Films with a similar feel include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Spectacular Now, Heathers, and Ghost World.
- How long is Daydream Nation?
- Daydream Nation runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Daydream Nation?
- In United States, Daydream Nation streams on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel.
