The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes

The Truman Show

PG

Released Jun 5, 1998

1 hr. 42 min.

Comedy

Drama

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List

94%

162 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) orchestrates "The Truman Show," a live broadcast of Truman's every move captured by hidden cameras. Cristof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), from the show and replacing her with Meryl (Laura Linney). As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must decide whether to act on it.

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Critics Consensus

A funny, tender, and thought-provoking film, The Truman Show is all the more noteworthy for its remarkably prescient vision of runaway celebrity culture and a nation with an insatiable thirst for the private details of ordinary lives.

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Dani G

One of the two best acting performances from Jim Carrey, in a film that is a reference to the morbid nature of human beings via a reality show in its purest and most literal way. The best "Big Brother" movie ever

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/22/24

Full Review

Daniel S

I have never liked Jim Carrey's humor. I have found it to be very broad and boorish. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw "The Truman Show" despite my feelings about his earlier 'comedies'. Carrey showed he could act and not overdo it, a tribute to his talents as well as the director and writer. With a weaker director, Carrey might have resorted to seeking laughs in numerous crazy ways. Here, however, it's straightforward and quite endearing. I could delve into the plot, but there are already countless reviews for this one. The bottom line is, don't assume that if you didn't like "Dumb and Dumber" or "Ace Ventura", you won't love this film. I truly loved "The Truman Show" and believe it's a beautiful film with a lot of heart and a great deal of imagination. Similarly, I would say the same things about Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler. Despite disliking some of their broader films, their serious works (like "Reign Over Me" or "Stranger Than Fiction") are exceptional. I must also confess that I did enjoy a few of their 'silly' films such as "Water Boy" and "Talladega Nights". So, don't assume that just because you may not like a few of their films, all of them are not to your taste.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Gianluca R

"The Truman Show" brilliantly marries a groundbreaking concept with stellar execution and remarkable performances, particularly from Jim Carrey, whose departure from pure comedy to nuanced drama is nothing short of transformative. The film presents a prescient commentary on reality TV and privacy invasions, exploring the life of a man unknowingly living in a scripted reality broadcasted globally. Its execution is meticulous, seamlessly blending Truman's awakening with poignant moments of existential inquiry. This film is a critical and philosophical masterpiece, cleverly directed with its profound implications about society and personal freedom.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/13/24

Full Review

Elizabeth K

I watched this movie today and left totally confused. I saw the original several years ago and the movie I watched today was NOT the movie I originally saw. I've looked on-line but all sites say that there was only one movie made. I know that as one gets older one's memories may not be as sharp as it was, but this is beyond ridiculous.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/07/24

Full Review

Lechonk *real*

(this review contains major spoilers) This has got to be in the top 10 all time movies. I absolutely loved it, and if you disliked it then you are incorrect and need brain surgery. Only problem i have with it is that it cuts out as soon as he leaves the dome, but that is sort of the point of the movie. I would like to see what happened to him afterward, though. Easy 10/10.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/24

Full Review

Lukas K

Beautiful, one of a kind, thought provoking movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/23/24

Full Review

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Peter Weir

Director

Jim Carrey

Truman Burbank

Laura Linney

Meryl Burbank

Noah Emmerich

Marlon

Natascha McElhone

Lauren

Holland Taylor

Truman's Mother

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The Truman Show: Trailer 1

2:32

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Elvis Mitchell

Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

There are no surprises in The Truman Show, except that Weir and Carrey manage to keep the picture on course.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 15, 2023

Full Review

Terry Lawson

Detroit Free Press

This is acting that isn't, but Carrey doesn't let the two-way mirror throw him; his unreality becomes his only real truth.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 14, 2023

Full Review

Quentin Curtis

Daily Telegraph (UK)

It is really about freedom... and it is to our own enslavement that this powerful, brilliant, and profound film speaks.

Feb 14, 2023

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

a prophetic comedy of ideas that hit all too close to home in our media-savvy, television-obsessed, celebrity-enthralled times

Rated: 4/4

Oct 8, 2023

Full Review

Luke Buckmaster

Flicks (AU, NZ, UK)

Thinking about The Truman Show in 2023, it’s clear the film—marvellously written by Andrew Niccol—was ahead of its time in some respects and doomed to be quickly dated in others.

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

Armond White

National Review

Weir gave art-house slickness to screenwriter Andrew Niccol’s ponderous attack on television’s fraudulence and mass-audience cretins.

Aug 4, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) orchestrates "The Truman Show," a live broadcast of Truman's every move captured by hidden cameras. Cristof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), from the show and replacing her with Meryl (Laura Linney). As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must decide whether to act on it.

Director: Peter Weir
Executive Producer: Lynn Pleshette
Screenwriter: Andrew Niccol
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 5, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $125.6M
Sound Mix: Surround

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