Dazed and Confused is a 1993 American coming-of-age comedy film written and directed by Richard Linklater, set on the last day of school in May 1976 in an unnamed Texas town.2 The film follows a variety of teenagers as they navigate the chaos of the final day, including hazing rituals for incoming freshmen, social interactions among different groups, and a night of parties and adventures.2 The story centers on Randall "Pink" Floyd, a star football player who refuses to sign a pledge promising not to take drugs during the summer, a decision that challenges his coach and sets him apart from his peers.2 The film features an ensemble cast of actors who would later become prominent stars, including Matthew McConaughey, Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck, Parker Posey, and Jason London.2

The film was shot in Austin, Texas, and draws heavily on Linklater’s own experiences growing up in East Texas, though no specific town is named in the movie.2 It was originally intended as a studio project after the success of Linklater’s previous film, Slacker, and was financed by Universal Pictures with a $6 million budget.2 Despite being a commercial disappointment at the box office, grossing less than $8 million in the United States, the film gained a strong following on home video and has since become a cult classic.2 It has been praised for its authentic depiction of high school life and its nostalgic portrayal of the 1970s, with a soundtrack featuring classic rock songs from artists like Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, and KISS.25

The film has received critical acclaim, with a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.6/10 rating on IMDb based on over 214,000 reviews.42 It was ranked third on Entertainment Weekly’s list of the 50 Best High School Movies and 10th on its "Funniest Movies of the Past 25 Years" list.2 The film is available for streaming on platforms such as Hulu, Netflix, and Apple TV.359