The Rules of Attraction

The Rules of Attraction (2002)

  • 43% of critics liked it
    (136 reviews)

  • 69% of users liked it
    (49,022 ratings)

Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel about the sexual, emotional, and chemical interactions of a group of wealthy and amoral college students is brought to the screen in this adaptation from writer and director Roger Avery. Sean Bateman (James Van Der Beek) is a student at Camden College, a… More

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R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By
Roger Avary
Written By
Roger Avary
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Oct 11, 2002 Wide
On DVD
Feb 18, 2003
Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

  • J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

    Actually I quite enjoyed the movie--but how do I get rid of this awful discharge?

  • Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

    Ellis' satire, filtered through Avary's harsh lens, is hard to stomach, harder to ignore.

  • Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

    The nonstop artifice ultimately proves tiresome, with the surface histrionics failing to compensate for the paper-thin characterizations and facile situations.

  • Bob Longino, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

    The bulk of Rules comes off like a cool-hand poser's at the wheel.

  • Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

    A party-hearty teen flick that scalds like acid.

Read all 20 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Bob S


    Yup, that's pretty much how i remember college, AFU brook - class of '87

  • Jim H


    Three college students navigate the perils of courtship all the while not realizing their own shallow natures and inability to understand that their methods are incapable of producing their goals. What I like most about Bret Easton Ellis's satires is the way he takes generic… More

  • Steven C


    "The Rules of Attraction", written for the screen and directed by "Pulp Fiction" co-writer Roger Avery and based off Bret Easton Ellis' most energetic novel, is essentially a comedy of manners. This is true satire through and through. It may be an easy target,… More

  • Dead A


    Jeez, this movie will give you a serious bad impression towards high school. I didn't find the idea that much likable. It was pretty eff-ed up. The rewinding idea was okay for once but not for every time.

  • Conner R


    One of those movies that somehow got ignored for whatever reason, but is a true masterpiece. All the characters are somewhat tragic and have this apathetic quality to them, but you can't help but love them. I think it's one of those movies that shows people for what the… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

Cast

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