Dazed and Confused (1993)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  A cult classic. Us 30 somethings now watched this movie in envy and than even made it happen sometimes. Loved those tower parties.

• Melvin W

  
  Wooderson: That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age.  "It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget... if only they could remember." When it comes to teen movies, Dazed and Confused is at the… More
  Wooderson: That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age.  "It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget... if only they could remember." When it comes to teen movies, Dazed and Confused is at the top with Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Movies just don't come cooler or more fun than Dazed and Confused. It's a rock n' roll, beer guzzling, weed smoking party from beginning to end. It's impossible to not love this movie. Great music, great characters, and great situations are what movies like this need, and Dazed and Confused has all of them and more. The story follows a bunch of teenagers on the last day of school. The events include paddling incoming freshman, getting drunk, playing pinball, and trying to find somewhere to party. It's an endless episode of pranks and partying fueled by one of the best classic rock soundtracks you could ever wish to hear.  If you know Richard Linklater, you know that his movies aren't going to have much plot wise. He likes showing random hanging out, with amazing dialogue. He also likes to throw his own views on politics and other worldly matters into play as well. He does that here, but not nearly as much as he did with movies like Suburbia and Slacker. While those were hangout movies, they were also message movies. This is just a hangout movie and nothing more; and it's easily one of the best ever. The characters are what make this movie so much better than the average teen comedy. Just like in Fast Times, there are a lot of characters, all of which have their own personality and their own vibe. Dazed, features the second best stoner ever, only second to Sean Penn's, and two of the best characters in teen movie history, with Pink and Wooderson. The cast is phenomenal and endless. This is a movie that is sure to make you want to relive your party days. It makes you want to go grab a beer, roll a joint, turn up the music, and cruise.  You gotta love nostalgic movies like this. Simone: You act like you're so oppressed. You guys are kings of the school. What are you bitching about? 

• Joshua W

  
  One simple quote can explain this film: That's what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age.

• Tim S

  
  I've never been a great Richard Linklater enthusiast, and I wasn't all that impressed originally with Dazed and Confused when I first saw it. It seemed to be getting a lot of high praise from my friends and from film critics alike, but I just didn't see it or understand… More
  I've never been a great Richard Linklater enthusiast, and I wasn't all that impressed originally with Dazed and Confused when I first saw it. It seemed to be getting a lot of high praise from my friends and from film critics alike, but I just didn't see it or understand it. However, having revisted the film several times now, I can take that thought back. The film is, to me, a big budget version of Slacker (Linklater's first film). While both films are not exactly the same storywise, the way they're told - in fragments moving from character to character - makes them polar opposites in a way. As Tarantino has stated about the film elsewhere, when you revisit the film, it's like revisiting old friends and hanging out with them for a day or two - and it's very much like that. It's also a 70's version of American Graffiti, but in my estimation, Dazed and Confused is superior to Graffiti. Mainly because I can relate to the characters more and they're less one-dimensional than they are in Graffiti. Nevertheless, I really enjoy Dazed and Confused and I love to pop it in from time to time and revisit some old friends for some good times and good tunes.

• Graham J

  
  A superb feel good film that acts as a time capsule for 1976. Great performances.

• Sam B

  
  Mercilessly honest and realistically portrayed, Dazed and Confused captures the entire high school experience within the story of one night. While the story may not really go anywhere or have much of a climax, the multiple characters are each carefully crafted and the script is… More
  Mercilessly honest and realistically portrayed, Dazed and Confused captures the entire high school experience within the story of one night. While the story may not really go anywhere or have much of a climax, the multiple characters are each carefully crafted and the script is passionately written. Tony and Mike, while marginalized in the story's context, are the most important characters, and tie the point of the narrative together perfectly.

• moon r

  
  As accurate a depiction of a time and people as I have ever seen, with quite literally the soundtrack of my teenage existence. As I watched I realized "I sat in that car, I went to that party, I knew those guys." The collection of young talent here is amazing as well. And… More
  As accurate a depiction of a time and people as I have ever seen, with quite literally the soundtrack of my teenage existence. As I watched I realized "I sat in that car, I went to that party, I knew those guys." The collection of young talent here is amazing as well. And a soundtrack that sounds like "The Best Of Classic Rock Weekend!"

• Manu G

  
  It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget... if only they could remember. Good cool movie! It was a blast to see. Funny moments and lots of familiar faces doing crazy things. Great Cast! The end of the 1976 school year in a Texan small town is cause for… More
  It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget... if only they could remember. Good cool movie! It was a blast to see. Funny moments and lots of familiar faces doing crazy things. Great Cast! The end of the 1976 school year in a Texan small town is cause for celebration of the summer break. But first the Seniors are excited to chase the newbies, whom they may submit to merciless hazing, which for boys takes the stern-scorching form of no-nonsense spankings. However futile, attempts to escape are made, yet pointless for the members of the baseball team, which has to play that evening, before the partying, when alcohol is to anesthetize their seat-sting. Mitch Kramer becomes the prime prey after his stupid sister actually asks the boys to go easy on him, which only senior quarterback Randall "Pink" Floyd does, while senior year-repeater Fred O'Bannion adds frustration to his reputed zeal for spanking sorely sorry.

• Brad W

  
  A cult classic, one of the coolest and funniest films of all time.

• Alexander D

  
  Good

• c0up  

  
  A coming of age tale set in the late 70s, following a group of youngsters celebrating the summer ahead, in a world so starkly different to what the youth of today live in. From what I've read, Linklater captured the zeitgeist perfectly, and I had a whole lotta fun watchin'!

• Shawn E

  
  A film that perfects a time and age with modern music and carefree partying.

• Thomas B

  
  One of the most enduring stoner flicks you'll see with a great script and a scattering of great performances. Full review later.

• Dan S

  
  Besides the vulgar but still heartwarming "Superbad", this is hands down the best movie concerning teen life ever done. This film basically covers the last, epic day of school for some bored kids in Texas, who elect to cause mayhem and party once night falls. Although its… More
  Besides the vulgar but still heartwarming "Superbad", this is hands down the best movie concerning teen life ever done. This film basically covers the last, epic day of school for some bored kids in Texas, who elect to cause mayhem and party once night falls. Although its short in character development, this film doesn't really skip a beat. It's a rare feat for a director (in this case, Richard Linklater) to give us a couple stereotypes and get them a little tipsy, yet somehow get his audience completely enamored with what is going on. This is the ultimate nostalgic movie really, one yearns for the last days of high school when viewing this film. I just had a blast watching this movie, and the biggest thing it boasts is that its very re-watchable. There are some scenes in this film that hit home for me, some of the thrills these characters encounter certainly take me back to some of the best moments I had in my younger life, and I can say with confidence that this is a top movie for me, and one that everyone should watch if they desire to return to their younger years from time to time.

• KJ P

  
  This film represents the 70's so well that without looking at the year it was released, you are shown belief that this was actually made in the 70's. Dazed and Confused is one of the best teen/high school films out there and It could not have been executed any better than it… More
  This film represents the 70's so well that without looking at the year it was released, you are shown belief that this was actually made in the 70's. Dazed and Confused is one of the best teen/high school films out there and It could not have been executed any better than it was. It's funny, emotional and represents teen life perfectly. Outstanding!

• Spencer S

  
  Another great coming of age story set in the perfect time and place. It's freedom, it's liberty, it's being a teenager.

• Jennifer D

  
  Not ever what I would call a realistic portrayal of teens in the 70s, but entertaining nonetheless.

• Anthony L

  
  I?m not too sure why there is so much hype for this movie, it?s fun but it?s nothing amazing!

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  This is the best stoner movie ever. I own this movie and I watch it often. I love the quirkieness of it and its just a feel good movie with a great cast of characters. This movie has a few people in it who are big stars today. For instance like Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, and… More
  This is the best stoner movie ever. I own this movie and I watch it often. I love the quirkieness of it and its just a feel good movie with a great cast of characters. This movie has a few people in it who are big stars today. For instance like Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, and Matthew McConaughy. Also this movie had a lot of great music. This movie makes you want to be apart of that time. It was just awesome and I am so glad I own this movie. I say its a classic.

• Cassandra M

  
  There are two common ways of approaching a film that focuses on teens, wait, edit that, two common ways of generalising teenagers. One of those ways is to say that teenagers are fuelled with angst, confused and frustration, the other is to show teens as drug obsessed and sex-crazed… More
  There are two common ways of approaching a film that focuses on teens, wait, edit that, two common ways of generalising teenagers. One of those ways is to say that teenagers are fuelled with angst, confused and frustration, the other is to show teens as drug obsessed and sex-crazed maniacs. Few of them succeed in creating the more valid, profound and honest interpretation of teen life. Dazed and Confused is a film without a story, but that is intentional because the film is about depicting the best years of our lives and when you can just do things in your time and the way you want them. Dazed and Confused, quite simply charts the story of a bunch of high-school teens' traditions and interests on the first night of the '76 summer, centred around a massive party. I find it impossible how somebody could not enjoy, or even merely relate to even some of the smallest aspect of Dazed and Confused because it is documenting the teen culture that everyone is apart of. For a film that is centred on the '70s it still manages to captivate and identify with Generation X viewers today. The wide variety of flamboyant characters in Dazed and Confused are the people we all know as teens. The characters are people you know/knew in school and are detailed with finesse. Nevertheless, without becoming clichéd the characters burst with the nature of youth and bond you have with the people you know. Dazed and Confused is a true interpretation of life, it has an almost documentary effect lingering around it. One of the few problems with Dazed and Confused is the acting, which is very bland and unprofessional. I felt some of the actors and actresses did not have the same dedication as others did. Dazed and Confused still managed to launch many careers, for the young American performers, obviously having an awesome memory of acting in such an iconic modern classic. Richard Linklater provides everything to fit the era and adds a deliciously fashionable '70s soundtrack. The script is genius, mixing hysterical comedy, pop-culture and elements of drama perfectly. There are dark undertones behind the fun and games in Dazed and Confused, yet it is best you find them out for yourself. Dazed and Confused shows how being a teenager is somewhat like a metaphor for an open road of possibilities. Ultimately, Dazed and Confused captures everything about teen life and includes the needed nostalgic, bittersweet brilliance of youth.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings