Overview
A quirky exploration of Austin's misfits and dreamers, where every encounter is a new story waiting to unfold.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- digressive
- affectionate
- lazy afternoon
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's fresh vignette-based form, affectionate observation, and sharply localized portrait of a generation, while recognizing its unconventional lack of conventional narrative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Characters enter and leave one another's conversations across a chain of linked scenes during one Austin day.
UFO believers, anarchists, and other social outcasts receive sustained attention and sympathy.
The film presents Austin's alternative social world and working-world margins as its defining subject.
The characters trade elaborate philosophies and theories while drifting without decisive action.
Films like Slacker, and why
Before Sunrise
Both are witty, low-key indie comedies built from talkative encounters and offbeat characters navigating contemporary urban life.
Stranger Than Paradise
Both use unconventional narrative forms, eccentric dialogue, and a warm observational interest in drifting outsiders.
Slacker
Both are shaggy, countercultural ensemble comedies centered on aimlessness, marginal lives, and distinctive local atmosphere.
Mystery Train
Both favor episodic character encounters, deadpan humor, and independent filmmaking over conventional plot mechanics.
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Linklater
- Release Date
- 1990-07-27
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (354)
Cast
- Richard Linklater
- Rudy Basquez
- Jean Caffeine
- Jan Hockey
- Stephan Hockey
- Mark James
- Samuel Dietert
- Bob Boyd
- Terrence Kirk
- Keith McCormack
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Slacker about?
- A freewheeling Austin mosaic follows eccentric drifters whose digressive conversations turn one ordinary day into a portrait of countercultural disconnection.
- What is Slacker like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Slacker as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Slacker violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Slacker as mild.
- What did critics think of Slacker?
- Critics broadly praised the film's fresh vignette-based form, affectionate observation, and sharply localized portrait of a generation, while recognizing its unconventional lack of conventional narrative.
- Which films are like Slacker?
- Films with a similar feel include Before Sunrise, Stranger Than Paradise, Slacker, and Mystery Train.
- How long is Slacker?
- Slacker runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Slacker?
- In United States, Slacker streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
