Dazed and Confused

Richard Linklater’s Dazed and Confused isn’t just a film—it’s a vibe. Set over the course of one humid Texas night in 1976, it captures the liminal space between adolescence and adulthood, rebellion and conformity, joy and aimlessness. It’s plot-light but emotion-heavy, built not on narrative momentum but on the electric charge of being young and unsure of what comes next. The ensemble cast is a time capsule of future stars—Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich—all effortlessly inhabiting their roles like they were born in bell-bottoms. McConaughey’s Wooderson is iconic from the moment he drawls “Alright, alright, alright,” but it’s the quieter performances that give the film its soul. Linklater doesn’t romanticize the era so much as steep us in it. The soundtrack slaps—Aerosmith, Foghat, ZZ Top—and every frame feels sun-bleached and slightly buzzed. But beneath the haze is a sharp observation about freedom, boredom, and the fleeting nature of moments that feel like they’ll last forever. Dazed and Confused doesn’t try to be profound. It just is. And that’s why it endures—like the last night of summer, you don’t want it to end.

A classic coming of age

This film is cool I guess. There’s no real goal here. It’s really just a way for Linklater to to reminisce on childhood memories lol. Clearly he was sticking it to the man a little, and the fact it’s an indie film gives it some credibility to the fact. The film heavily tries to tell you “take it easy man. Just live life.” While still having a hierarchy at the school lol. I did enjoy it for what it was though, and in fact I would watch it again. It’s a slice of American life in the 70’s. 3.5/5 stars.

It's the late 1970's but absolutely timeless perfection

I just watched this for the first time, and I'm mad that I did. I should sue them for making such a stupid, boring, pointless movie. My gosh. What the heck was that? SO stupid.

This movie makes me want so some weed and drink beer. What a classic!!!

A feel good summer movie that's all about the high school experience and teenage rebellion. In a setting of kicking back and letting loose, this is the visionary version of yacht rock.

It's hard to grasp why Dazed and Confused became a classic, but there's enough charm and good vibes to make this coming-of-age film entertaining.

Not for film elites. Only those who can handle their dope can grasp this masterpiece.

Other than the fact that the ensemble cast features the faces of a lot of then unknown but soon to be big names, it’s a mystery to me why this movie is considered a classic by anyone. There’s no plot, no character development, no comedic moments, no… anything really. It’s boring beyond belief. Just a dumb, meandering, pointless movie about a bunch of dumb, meandering, pointless people who have no ambition in life beyond getting drunk, getting stoned, or trying to get laid.