First movie review on this blog! Dazed and Confused (1993) has unexpectedly become one of my favorite kinds of movies. Big thanks to Anthony for recommending it — we were actually planning to watch something else for movie night, but he picked this one instead. I had no idea what it was about, but after finishing it, I really enjoyed it! The vibes, the vintage style, the storyline, the rock music — it was just so much fun.
Check out the trailer [here]. In this Dazed and Confused movie review, I’ll share why this 1993 cult classic became one of my favorite coming-of-age films.
A Yearbook From Someone Else’s Life
I recently watched Dazed and Confused during the holidays — a movie about American high school life in the 1970s. Watching it felt like flipping through a yearbook from someone else’s past — one I never lived, but somehow still understood.
Set in 1976, the film follows a group of teens on their last day of school. There’s no big plot, no dramatic twist — just a long, hazy night filled with paddles, parties, cruising, and conversations under the stars.
And somehow, that’s enough.
Maybe it’s the soundtrack (hello, ’70s rock classics), or maybe it’s the way Richard Linklater captures the awkward magic of in-between moments — the moments when you’re not sure who you are yet, but you do know you don’t want to be told what to do.
The Story
Set on the last day of school in 1976, “Dazed and Confused” follows a bunch of teens as they haze freshmen, throw parties, and wrestle with growing up. There’s no dramatic plot — just a dreamy ride through youth, rebellion, and classic rock.
The Tradition of “Welcoming” Freshmen
When a group of high schoolers planned how to welcome the incoming freshmen… I didn’t expect that kind of “welcome”.
Maybe it’s just me — a kid raised in Asia — but I never had that kind of high school experience. “Welcome” looked more like hazing, and honestly, I couldn’t even tell where the line was. But not everyone was cruel. Some just followed along. Some resisted. And then there was Pink — probably the sanest one in the whole movie. Calm, kind, and somehow… different but he is also very gentle in the movies.
Back then, wild initiation rituals seemed like a rite of passage — go to the party, skip class, drive around at night, talk about life. I loved the scenes of driving with nowhere to go, just talking about what’s next, what’s life, and why anything matters.
(But hey, just to be clear — I’m not saying you should go out and haze someone!)
What I am saying is: in that fleeting moment called youth, if there’s something you really want to do, go for it. Chase joy, freedom, and even a little recklessness. Don’t overthink everything. Just live in the moment while you still can.
And in a way, this movie does capture something meaningful:
The recklessness of youth.
The chaos, the thrill, the carelessness.
The defiance, the impulses, the consequences we didn’t think about.
The way we lived like nothing could touch us.
Who hasn’t gone through something like that? Well… me, actually.
Growing up in Asia, I never really had that kind of teenage experience. I guess I missed it — that phase you can never go back to once it’s gone. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise? After all, I didn’t have friends during my school years, and I never did anything particularly crazy moment at all. That chapter just kind of… ended. (Not my whole life though — don’t worry! LOL.)
The Characters I love
Characters in Dazed and Confused – Who Stands Out?
Pink (Randall ‘Pink’ Floyd) really stood out for me.
the kind of guy who doesn’t speak unless he has something to say. Among all the chaos, he feels like the still center. He’s not trying to be a hero, but he’s also not going to follow a path just because someone else laid it down for him. His refusal to sign the school’s pledge is such a small act on the surface, but it speaks volumes.
He’s resisting something bigger — conformity, control, expectations. And in his soft way, he makes a statement louder than all the noise around him.
“You just gotta keep livin’, man. L-I-V-I-N.”
That quote from him? It’s silly and wise at the same time. The kind of line you laugh at in high school, and then slowly realize… it’s kind of true.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Pink — calm, quiet, thoughtful. felt like the soul of the story. But so true when he say about “If I ever say these were the best years of my life — remind me to kill myself.”
Brutal. Iconic. The most honest thing I’ve heard about high school. I mean I use to think the same.
Cynthia, Tony, and Mike — the more thoughtful trio.
Their conversations are what I loved most. They weren’t trying to be the coolest, the loudest, or the wildest. They were the quiet heart of the movie — talking about life, the future, and all the questions no one has answers to. I do really enjoy the conversation and is really peaceful and I wish I have these friend during my school time is could be so warm when spending time together. Honestly I love the relationship!
Mitch Kramer, the freshman, gave me secondhand stress and nostalgia at the same time.
That poor kid had no idea what was coming. Watching him get initiated into the high school world — parties, awkward flirting — it reminded me of what it felt like to be new, to be unsure, to just try to survive the day and maybe have a little fun along the way. Sometime I still feel the same way even I’m more older right now I think communicate with human is so hard to deal with it in life.
And Darla — oh, Darla. The queen of high school girl hazing. Her character is so over-the-top, but you know what? I think every school had a Darla: someone who took their small slice of power and ran with it. She’s terrifying, hilarious, and unforgettable.
Every character in this film feels like a snapshot from someone’s memory. Not all of them are likable, but all of them feel real — like they’re drawn from actual people instead of written in a script. That’s what makes Dazed and Confusedspecial. It doesn’t ask you to like everyone. It just asks you to remember what it felt like to be lost, alive, and figuring it all out — one strange summer night at a time.
Quote for the day
Alright, alright, alright
You just gotta keep livin’ man. L-I-V-I-N
That’s what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older, they stay the same age
Man, it’s the same bullshit they tried to pull in my day. If it ain’t that piece of paper, there’s some other choice they’re gonna try and make for you. You gotta do what Randall Pink Floyd wants to do man. Let me tell you this, the older you do get the more rules they’re gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin’ man, L-I-V-I-N.
Like, if she asks you if you want a ride, you say, ‘No, I’ve got my own ride, but maybe I’ll see you later.’ Sounds stupid, doesn’t it? It works.
My Favourite one
- Cynthia: God, don’t you ever feel like everything we do and everything we’ve been taught is just to service the future?
- Tony: Yeah I know, like it’s all preparation.
- Cynthia: Right. But what are we preparing ourselves for?
- Mike: Death.
- Tony: Life of the party.
- Mike: It’s true.
- Cynthia: You know, but that’s valid because if we are all gonna die anyway shouldn’t we be enjoying ourselves now? You know, I’d like to quit thinking of the present, like right now, as some minor insignificant preamble to something else.
This scene just hit different. It felt like something I’ve thought about but never said out loud maybe no one can understand as well!
🎧 Soundtrack & Style – 10/10 Vibes
The music in Dazed and Confused is almost a character of its own. From Aerosmith to Deep Purple, every track adds a layer of texture and nostalgia. It’s a perfect pairing for the film’s hazy, golden-hour visuals and slow-burning narrative.
Rating Time
- 🍿 Vibe: Chill / Thoughtful / Wild / Underrated Classic
- 🎧 Soundtrack: 10/10
- 👀 Rewatchable? Yes, especially when you’re feeling nostalgic.
- 🌕 Rating: 4.5/5 moons (because stars are overrated)
Final thoughts
Final Thoughts on Dazed and Confused – Was It Worth Watching?
To wrap up this Dazed and Confused movie review, I’ll say this: it’s not a movie with a perfect plot, but it perfectly captures the messiness of youth. If you’ve ever looked back and thought, “I should’ve done more” — or even “I’m glad I didn’t” — this film will speak to you. Youth is wild, awkward, rebellious, and confusing. And maybe that’s what makes it unforgettable. Read More my Movies List for more movies. This Dazed and Confused movie review might not convince you to love it as much as I do. But if you enjoy coming-of-age films, or if you just want to sit with a story that flows like memory, this one’s worth watching — especially late at night when you feel a little lost.
Do you love this type of movie? miss the high school life and the good moments? I hope you enjoy.
Read More
🌸 For more cozy content, here’s my post on simple joys in daily life.
✈️ Want something travel-themed instead? Read my solo trip to London experience.
Thanks so much for reading.
Have a beautiful day.
— Jerserry 🌸
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