Reality

Name: Reality
Genre: Drama
Released: May 29, 2023
Duration: 85 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Benny Elledge, John Way, Josh Hamilton, Marchánt Davis, Sydney Sweeney

2023

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Ratings

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Reality (UK Teaser 1)

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Movie Details & Credits

HBO Films | Release Date (Streaming): May 29, 2023 | Not Rated

Starring: Benny Elledge, John Way, Josh Hamilton, Marchánt Davis, Sydney Sweeney

Summary: A former American intelligence specialist was given the longest sentence for the unauthorized release of government information to the media about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections via an email operation.

Director: Tina Satter

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 85 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Ann Hornaday

May 30, 2023

Reality isn’t just stranger than fiction: It’s subtler, sadder and exponentially more haunting. Read full review

100

David Hughes

May 15, 2023

With no formal film training, Satter has crafted a claustrophobic thriller packed with such nail-biting tension there should be an emergency manicurist waiting outside each cinema. Read full review

IndieWire Steph Green

Feb 19, 2023

Inching towards its grand reveal through surreally awkward conversation, “Reality” is gripping and deceptively layered, delineating both the FBI’s queasily ingenious interrogation tactics and Sweeney’s extraordinary range. Read full review

The Playlist Charles Bramesco

Feb 19, 2023

Ultimately, it’s Sweeney’s show, and she excels in locating small crannies of tacit detail within these offhanded lines. Read full review

Empire Iana Murray

May 30, 2023

A beautifully understated performance from Sydney Sweeney, paired with stylistically minimalist filmmaking, make for a chilling, compelling chamber piece — finding the humanity underlying even the tensest of confrontations. Read full review

The Telegraph Tim Robey

Feb 20, 2023

Reality transcends staginess as a strikingly well-realised piece of filmmaking, using judicious sound design and expressive lighting to gain a surreally vivid edge. Read full review

Brianna Zigler

May 30, 2023

There’s a reason that Satter knew Winner’s transcript would succeed as a play, but she brings very little that’s new and exciting as a film director of that same narrative. Read full review

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User Reviews

shoulderoforion

May 31, 2023

This is must see stuff. What a powerful, amazing piece of film. Wasn't expecting what this was, how stark, and moving what in essence is a my dinner with andre style complete diolouge (taken directly from the tape trasnscipt). This move ws incredible. 10/10

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

katezoe

Jun 12, 2023

Sydney Sweeney from “The White Lotus" and “Euphoria" gives an extraordinary performance. Docudrama is a terrifying indictment on the abuse of power by our government against an American citizen.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

Jun 9, 2023

Reality Winner was an American intelligence specialist. She came home from the grocery store one day to find FBI agents waiting to search her house and interview her about leaked documents detailing Russia's interference in our elections. This re-creation of the encounter is played outReality Winner was an American intelligence specialist. She came home from the grocery store one day to find FBI agents waiting to search her house and interview her about leaked documents detailing Russia's interference in our elections. This re-creation of the encounter is played out verbatim from the FBI recordings. It's a fascinating experience, watching how the agents converse to gain her trust and uncover the truth. Writer/director Tina Satter adapted her play to the screen adding some additional moments of graphics and other visuals. Basically, this has 2 people interviewing one person in a minimal setting, but the tension holds steady without ever going big. Sydney Sweeney's performance is nuanced, quietly emotional and completely enthralling. This political drama creates stress thru smartly underplayed performances and the compelling truth behind this "reality."… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

panther49

May 30, 2023

Being political in nature, this will sure be a divisive movie to review. Let's just say I'm probably not the "target demographic" for the movie, but I still enjoyed it and thought it did a lot of things right. I liked the effects it used to redact information, it used an actual real-lifeBeing political in nature, this will sure be a divisive movie to review. Let's just say I'm probably not the "target demographic" for the movie, but I still enjoyed it and thought it did a lot of things right. I liked the effects it used to redact information, it used an actual real-life event instead of some strawman characters, and it showed the importance of knowing your rights when interacting with law-enforcement.

By the end, I didn't really find myself caring about the main character. She seems like a crappy person that was doing irresponsible things, which makes me question why this is such an important story to tell. It's definitely interesting to see a live event of this interaction, but the story behind it and, more importantly, the information shared just really isn't interesting. It does show how much one person can be fueled by the media and circumstantial events to do irrational hateful things against their own country, but it's not a movie I will be watching again.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

royalguy07

May 31, 2023

Great acting and good buildup/tension., redacted stuff is handled well/creepily.

Girl, where is your lawyer?

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

JLuis_001

Jun 4, 2023

Very well executed and finally Sydney Sweeney crosses the threshold that separates her from her physical beauty to show that she can actually act. And by that, I mean she finally got a role that doesn't exploit that.

Reality is quite competent, although its structure, being based on a play,Very well executed and finally Sydney Sweeney crosses the threshold that separates her from her physical beauty to show that she can actually act. And by that, I mean she finally got a role that doesn't exploit that.

Reality is quite competent, although its structure, being based on a play, compresses it a bit. A minor issue, but it's there.

Now, the biggest problem is one that is fairly basic but completely elementary to its operation, and that is that unless you are American and, in this case, up on the news, you will be aware of who Reality Winner is and what she did, because otherwise the film makes no effort to explain what is going on and more importantly, the ramifications and consequences that come with it. The movie lost a whole point because of that.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Jp2017

May 30, 2023

Felt extremely bored girl cannot act also fell asleep only reason I know her is because she shows her nice boobs in the other show but other than that very mid!

1 of 9 users found this helpful18

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38	#38 Best Movie of 2023
87	#87 Most Discussed Movie of 2023