Overview
A nostalgic journey through first love and youthful ambition in the heart of California.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- nostalgic
- witty
- wistful
- lazy sunday
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a warm, distinctive, and richly nostalgic coming-of-age romance anchored by its lead performances and Paul Thomas Anderson's direction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alana is an older photographer's assistant while teenage Gary pursues her through friendship, business schemes, and flirtation.
The San Fernando Valley of 1973 is presented as a sunlit landscape of school photographs, auditions, mattress sales, and aimless summer movement.
Gary repeatedly launches ventures, including a waterbed business, while navigating auditions and Hollywood-adjacent opportunities.
The leads cross paths with flamboyant figures such as Jack Holden, Rex Blau, and Jon Peters during their restless adventures.
Films like Licorice Pizza, and why
The Last Picture Show
shared nostalgic coming of age atmosphere, unconventional romance, and episodic 1970s California setting
Dazed and Confused
shared wistful adolescent romance, loose structure, and intimate character-driven humor
Punch-Drunk Love
shared distinctive auteur comedy, romantic tension, and heightened encounters with eccentric adults
American Graffiti
shared nostalgic period setting, youthful restlessness, and bittersweet romantic energy
Movie Details
- Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Release Date
- 2021-11-26
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (2795)
Cast
- Alana Haim
- Cooper Hoffman
- Sean Penn
- Tom Waits
- Bradley Cooper
- Benny Safdie
- Skyler Gisondo
- Mary Elizabeth Ellis
- John Michael Higgins
- Christine Ebersole
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- 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 Licorice Pizza about?
- Two restless San Fernando Valley misfits turn teenage hustle and uncertain attraction into a sprawling, nostalgic dance around first love.
- What is Licorice Pizza like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Licorice Pizza as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Licorice Pizza violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Licorice Pizza.
- What did critics think of Licorice Pizza?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a warm, distinctive, and richly nostalgic coming-of-age romance anchored by its lead performances and Paul Thomas Anderson's direction.
- Which films are like Licorice Pizza?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Picture Show, Dazed and Confused, Punch-Drunk Love, and American Graffiti.
- How long is Licorice Pizza?
- Licorice Pizza runs 133 minutes.
- Where can I watch Licorice Pizza?
- In United States, Licorice Pizza streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
