The Rules of Attraction | Rotten Tomatoes

The Rules of Attraction

R

Released Oct 11, 2002

1 hr. 50 min.

Comedy

Drama

TRAILER

for The Rules of Attraction: Trailer 1

List

44%

142 Reviews

Tomatometer

71%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, "Rules" centers around Partrick Bateman's younger brother and his college friends bizarre mating rituals that mix sex, drugs, music and mayhem in a kaleidoscopic story about three students entangled in a curiously surreal romantic triangle...

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Critics Consensus

A tiresome movie about unsympathetic college kids engaging in self-destructive behaviors.

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Chuck Houck C

One of the most critically under-appreciated films of the 2000's, probably because most people don't see this film for what it truly is: a horror film focused on the bleak isolation and alienation of human existentialism. We can be surrounded by others every moment of every day, but ultimately, we're all trapped within our own minds, and we will never truly know anyone else.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/24

Full Review

Brianna D

Horrible movie. Plot makes no sense. Waste of time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/24

Full Review

Mateusz C

The Rules of Attraction is a harsh critique and parody of stupid teen movies, basically smashing them against ground. Lot of peoples misses that the point of this movie is not to show that every stuff visualized here is okay, but it actually says how bad, absurd and disgusting these things actually are, thats why film creates unlikeable characters and unpleasant scenes. Extra credit for amazing camera operation

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/19/23

Full Review

Jenny M

Loooove this movie!!!! This is an under appreciated movie. The direction and filmography is amazing!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/26/22

Full Review

steve d

Rarely has a film been this unpleasant.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Nicholas A

A stylish and entertaining film. None of the characters are likeable, which is actually quite refreshing. I've read the book and they did a good job translating it into moving image. It's cynical, bleak and strangely relatable. Great soundtrack too.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/22

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Roger Avary

Director

James Van Der Beek

Sean Bateman

Ian Somerhalder

Paul Denton

Shannyn Sossamon

Lauren Hynde

Jessica Biel

Lara

Kip Pardue

Victor

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25%

14%

Simpatico

90%

85%

Adaptation

TRAILER

for Adaptation

48%

61%

Human Nature

92%

76%

11:14

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54%

67%

Storytelling

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The Rules of Attraction: Trailer 1

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Barbara Ellen

Times (UK)

This is an exercise that is in love with its own superficiality, delighted with an emptiness that was all it ever aspired to, and yet it manages to turn into a better movie than it has any right to be.

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Not for kids, and not for many adults, either.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

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

Feb 11, 2008

Full Review

Michael Cuby

them.

The Rules of Attraction is a mind-blowingly fun comedy about young college students that apparently have nothing better to do...

Nov 2, 2022

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

A wild, speedy tale of college and debauchery (20th anniversary)

Rated: 4/5

Oct 14, 2022

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Taking off from Ellis’ monotone, Avary spreads his wings and sings.

Rated: A+

Sep 17, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis, "Rules" centers around Partrick Bateman's younger brother and his college friends bizarre mating rituals that mix sex, drugs, music and mayhem in a kaleidoscopic story about three students entangled in a curiously surreal romantic triangle...

Director: Roger Avary
Screenwriter: Bret Easton Ellis, Roger Avary
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Kingsgate Films
Rating: R (Language|Drug Use|Strong Sexual Content|Violent Images)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 2, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.5M
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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