Waking Life

7.5 2001 Richard Linklater 1h 41m
Animation Drama Fantasy
Waking Life

Waking Life is about a young man in a persistent lucid dream-like state. The film follows its protagonist as he initially observes and later participates in philosophical discussions that weave together issues like reality, free will, our relationships with others, and the meaning of life.

Cast

Ethan Hawke Ethan Hawke Jesse
Julie Delpy Julie Delpy Celine
Wiley Wiggins Wiley Wiggins Main Character
Bill Wise Bill Wise Boat Car Guy
Alex E. Jones Alex E. Jones Man in Car with P.A.
Steven Soderbergh Steven Soderbergh Interviewed on Television
Ken Webster Ken Webster Bartender
Charles Gunning Charles Gunning Angry Man in Jail

Where to Watch

Amazon Video Amazon Video Apple TV Store Apple TV Store Google Play Movies Google Play Movies

Vibes

Curious Chill Mind Bending Visually Stunning Hidden Gem

Double Feature Pairings

Films that pair perfectly with Waking Life

A Scanner Darkly
A Scanner Darkly 2006
Linklater's rotoscope reality. Two films where the animation style itself becomes a statement about how unstable the real world is.

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