Overview
A high school election spirals into chaos as ambition and rivalry collide.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sardonic
- irreverent
- movie night
- political satire marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's intelligent writing, razor-sharp political satire, dark humor, and Reese Witherspoon's commanding performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The student-body election becomes a miniature version of American political ambition and electoral manipulation.
Tracy's relentless ambition and Jim's jealous campaign against her generate humor from petty, ethically compromised behavior.
The film shifts among Jim, Tracy, Paul, and Tammy, using their contrasting perspectives to complicate the election and its consequences.
The Omaha high school election mirrors campaign strategy, popularity contests, factionalism, and the American Dream.
Films like Election, and why
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
shared high school setting, sexual politics, irreverent humor, and coming-of-age dramedy
Heathers
shared vicious social satire, adolescent ambition, and darkly comic view of American status competition
In the Loop
shared caustic political comedy, morally compromised adults, and escalating ambition
Rushmore
shared high school power struggles, outsider perspectives, and sharp ensemble comedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Alexander Payne
- Release Date
- 1999-04-23
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (1243)
Cast
- Matthew Broderick
- Reese Witherspoon
- Chris Klein
- Jessica Campbell
- Mark Harelik
- Phil Reeves
- Molly Hagan
- Delaney Driscoll
- Colleen Camp
- Frankie Ingrassia
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium 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 Election about?
- A ruthlessly ambitious student and a resentful teacher turn an Omaha high school election into a miniature war for control, status, and revenge.
- What is Election like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Election as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Election violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Election as mild.
- What did critics think of Election?
- Critics broadly praised the film's intelligent writing, razor-sharp political satire, dark humor, and Reese Witherspoon's commanding performance.
- Which films are like Election?
- Films with a similar feel include Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Heathers, In the Loop, and Rushmore.
- How long is Election?
- Election runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Election?
- In United States, Election streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
