Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Name: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Released: May 22, 1998
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 41
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Johnny Depp

1998

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 266 Ratings

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7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 266 Ratings

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Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 22, 1998 | R

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Johnny Depp

Summary: When a writing assignment lands journalist Raoul Duke (Depp) and sidekick DR. Gonzo (Del Toro) in Las Vegas, they decide to make it the ultimate business trip. But before long, business is forgotten and trip has become the key word. Fueled by a suitcase full of mind-bending pharmaceuticals, Duke and Gonzo set off on a fast and furious rideWhen a writing assignment lands journalist Raoul Duke (Depp) and sidekick DR. Gonzo (Del Toro) in Las Vegas, they decide to make it the ultimate business trip. But before long, business is forgotten and trip has become the key word. Fueled by a suitcase full of mind-bending pharmaceuticals, Duke and Gonzo set off on a fast and furious ride through nonstop neon, surreal surroundings and a crew of the craziest characters ever. (Universal Pictures)… Expand

Director: Terry Gilliam

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Ron Wells

Does for psychedelics what "Boogie Nights" does for cocaine; displaying in graphical detail the ultimate failure of drugs as an escape route. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

The strongest magnet in this psychedelic morass is Johnny Depp who, as the story's antic, disgusting and seductive spirit guide, is impossible to look away from. Read full review

Stephen Holden

The closest sensory approximation of an acid trip ever achieved by a mainstream movie and the latest example of Mr. Gilliam's visual bravura. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

There's something about that extra layer of distancing that a book can offer and the screen can't, which in this case might account for why film viewers feel vaguely discomforted by an icky fifth-wheel sensation. Read full review

Edward Guthmann

Disappointing, pointless and repetitive. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Part of the idea here was to play in the ambiguous zones where Las Vegas tackiness, LSD hallucinations, Gilliam beasties, and lots of vomit become difficult to separate. Read full review

Barbara Shulgasser

One long offensive treatise on just how vile two human beings can be. Read full review

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User Reviews

LukeH.

Mar 1, 2008

This is a very good film the reviews do not do it justice. It is not a stoner film it is a unique, funny, provocative and disturbing view of America, and with Terry Gilliam unique directorial vision it's a powerhouse film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Tuneison

Aug 26, 2018

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is grossly underrated. The film's atmosphere is eerie, dank and, grimly comedic. There is too much that is just too clever to explain in words. Check it out.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Verdugo

Aug 20, 2012

An audio-visual Masterpiece. It shows the devastating consequences of drug abuse mixed with brillant acting. This movie is greatly underrated and I guess some people voting it down don't understand it.

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

arostislavna

Dec 22, 2021

A classic, maybe not as good as the book, who knows? I will admit I have never read the book but this showcases madness wonderfully.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KristianBK

Aug 13, 2014

Funny, psychedelic, sometimes a mess, but interesting enough to keep you in this weird trip through the movie. Hard to watch, but nevertheless, one of the movies you just have to give it a try. and in the end there are two possible outcomes: you either love it or you hate it.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Mahmus

Sep 25, 2020

Where to even start with this? What starts as a fun drug-fueled comedy slowly turns into a claustrophobic nightmare of grotesque imagery and sensory overload. I've never done any hallucinogetic drugs, but I imagine that after a while, the rush Would become a nightmare. This is an ugly movie.Where to even start with this? What starts as a fun drug-fueled comedy slowly turns into a claustrophobic nightmare of grotesque imagery and sensory overload. I've never done any hallucinogetic drugs, but I imagine that after a while, the rush Would become a nightmare. This is an ugly movie. It's hard to watch. It's extremely uncfomfortable. And that's the point.

Terry Gilliam said in his own words: "I want it to be seen as one of the great movies of all time, and one of the most hated movies of all time." Judging by the critics' reactions, he succeded.
The film has an almost perfectly split 50 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and many critics, including Roger Ebert, were completely appalled by it, and honestly, it's not hard to see why.

But the movie survived. It has stood the test of time. It has risen from the ashes to become stronger than ever before. It is a paradox. A joyful nightmare. A horrifying treat.
This film was too weird to live, yet too rare too die.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JonathanQuimby

Oct 21, 2006

A classic to those who were to stoned to realize they were watching a movie. A favorite to teenagers who saw the twisted cover art and decided to stop there. Brought Thompson's work to a new generation of "fans" who spell genius with an O.

0 of 3 users found this helpful

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11	#11 Most Discussed Movie of 1998
17	#17 Most Shared Movie of 1998