The Spectacular Now

A charming high school senior navigates love and life while grappling with his future and a growing addiction.

Critics broadly praised the film as a sensitive, sincere, and unusually authentic coming-of-age drama that avoids familiar teenage movie trappings.

• Sutter performs confidence and self-possession while avoiding plans for life beyond high school.
• Aimee's grounded ambitions and concern force Sutter to reconsider his alcohol-fueled present-mindedness.
• Critics specifically praised the film's sincere, refreshingly unaffected depiction of middle-American high school seniors.
• Sutter is a budding alcoholic whose whiskey-fortified cup accompanies his social life and denial.

• The Perks of Being a Wallflowershared sensitive coming of age drama, teenage romance, and emotionally grounded performances
• Lady Birdshared high school setting, awkward first love, sincere humor, and adolescent self-discovery
• Me and Earl and the Dying Girlshared realistic teenage romance, introspection, and bittersweet transition into adulthood

Director

James Ponsoldt

Release Date

2013-08-02

Runtime

95 min

Rating

6.7 / 10 (3108)

What is The Spectacular Now about?

A charming high school senior clings to alcohol and the present until an unlikely romance makes the future impossible to ignore.

What is The Spectacular Now like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Spectacular Now as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is The Spectacular Now violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Spectacular Now.

What did critics think of The Spectacular Now?

Critics broadly praised the film as a sensitive, sincere, and unusually authentic coming-of-age drama that avoids familiar teenage movie trappings.

Which films are like The Spectacular Now?

Films with a similar feel include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Lady Bird, and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.

How long is The Spectacular Now?

The Spectacular Now runs 95 minutes.

Where can I watch The Spectacular Now?

In United States, The Spectacular Now streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel.