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 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 196 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 196 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

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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Awards & Rankings

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

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Film Threat - 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

Washington Post - 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

The New York Times - 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

Austin Chronicle - 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

San Francisco Chronicle - Edward Guthmann

Disappointing, pointless and repetitive. Read full review

Chicago Reader - 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

San Francisco Examiner - Barbara Shulgasser

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

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User Reviews

Anti-Jarhead

Jul 31, 2012

Meaningful, thoughtful, and excellently crafted. Movies like this help us explore ourselves and reality we create. This one additionally make this in a very entertaining way. If only You can keep up with the movie... Just like with Natural Born Killers it's best to watch it couple times.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MichaelC.

Mar 4, 2008

Hunter S Thompson's stunning book is marvelously captured on screen. A great performance by Johnny Depp. A great commentary on American life, past, present and future.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

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

BlakeJ.

Mar 11, 2007

I love it. It holds a special place in my heart. I was won over in the first 10 minutes...right after Johnny looks around all glazed eyed and says "We can't stop here...this is bat country!" A precursor to druggie movies as we know them.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

EMSullivan

Aug 24, 2005

Unique, addictive movie that isn't quite for everyone. The first half shines with great performances and oddball humor. The second half doesn't quite have the same qualities and might leave people feeling rather uneasy, but it does have it's moments. Mark B. seems like the Unique, addictive movie that isn't quite for everyone. The first half shines with great performances and oddball humor. The second half doesn't quite have the same qualities and might leave people feeling rather uneasy, but it does have it's moments. Mark B. seems like the kind of person who would stand to argue that there's only one way to spell "color."… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

StaticSpine

Oct 18, 2014

It's pretty hard to describe the movie since it mostly consists of drug hallucinogenic adventures of two guys, but yeah, the movie is great. Terry Gilliam could capture and show the sense of madness and surrealism here. A must-watch!

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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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