Overview
A nostalgic trip back to the last day of school, where freedom and rebellion collide in a haze of laughter and youthful mischief.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- nostalgic
- buoyant
- nostalgic movie night
- late summer evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praise the excellent ensemble, precise 1970s atmosphere, killer soundtrack, observational humor, and affectionate yet clear-eyed portrait of high school life.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film tracks freshmen, upperclassmen, athletes, outsiders, and recent graduates through the final day of school.
Its precise portrait of 1976 Texas youth culture emphasizes hazing, cruising, parties, music, intoxication, and peer status.
Incoming freshmen are hazed by upperclassmen, making initiation and social dominance central to the day's conflicts.
The characters move between school rituals, cars, parties, baseball practice, and conversations over one largely continuous day.
Films like Dazed and Confused, and why
American Graffiti
shared teen ensemble, period nostalgia, countercultural humor, and coming-of-age atmosphere
The Breakfast Club
shared high school social hierarchies, youthful rebellion, and affectionate teen comedy
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
shared loose episodic structure, stoner humor, and adolescent male friendship
Everybody Wants Some!!
shared warm observational style, teenage aimlessness, and summer-night ensemble energy
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Linklater
- Release Date
- 1993-09-24
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (2361)
Cast
- Jason London
- Matthew McConaughey
- Joey Lauren Adams
- Rory Cochrane
- Wiley Wiggins
- Adam Goldberg
- Anthony Rapp
- Sasha Jenson
- Shawn Andrews
- Milla Jovovich
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Dazed and Confused about?
- Over one hazy 1976 day, Texas teenagers navigate hazing, intoxication, flirtation, and shifting identities before summer begins.
- What is Dazed and Confused like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dazed and Confused as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Dazed and Confused violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Dazed and Confused as mild.
- What did critics think of Dazed and Confused?
- Critics broadly praise the excellent ensemble, precise 1970s atmosphere, killer soundtrack, observational humor, and affectionate yet clear-eyed portrait of high school life.
- Which films are like Dazed and Confused?
- Films with a similar feel include American Graffiti, The Breakfast Club, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Everybody Wants Some!!.
- How long is Dazed and Confused?
- Dazed and Confused runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dazed and Confused?
- In United States, Dazed and Confused is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
