Reality

Play trailer

2:08

Reality

2023

1h 23m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

105 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

On a Saturday afternoon, in June 2017, Reality Winner, a 25-year-old in cut-off jeans, is confronted at her Georgia home by the FBI. A cryptic conversation begins and Reality's life quickly begins to unravel.

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Critics Consensus

Reality's narrow scope and gripping fact-based story add up to a riveting showcase for Sydney Sweeney in the title role.

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Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

09/18/2024

4/5

Sweeney's complex tricky performance – mixed with the emotional stakes – makes this intriguing drama completely absorbing.

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David Stratton

The Australian

07/03/2023

4/5

It’s a troubling, unsettling and beautifully made production, all the more notable for being a debut feature that rigidly adheres to the actual recording that the FBI men made on the day that a brave young woman lost her freedom.

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Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

06/29/2023

4/5

Reality is a bizarre blend of the gripping and the banal -- a film in which politeness is used as a weapon and guile is disguised as embarrassment.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Feb 1

6/10

A drama that, to some extent, benefits from Sydney Sweeney's understated performance as the whistleblower, but whose narrative, unfortunately, loses its consistent tone with each skewed question in its ethical discourse. [Full review in Spanish]

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Samantha Schuster

Cinéfilo Serial

Jul 25

3.5/5

It takes a true story and presents it in an original and creative way, preserving a documentary tone. Thanks to strong performances and a meticulously crafted script, it manages to explore American political maneuvering. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Marta Medina Pérez

mundoCine

Jul 22

3/5

[Reality] is Sweeney's tour de force. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Shane W.

@swalters May 1

Reality is a tightly crafted bottle film anchored by a phenomenal, slow-burn performance from Sydney Sweeney. Nearly the entire movie unfolds through real recorded dialogue between FBI agents and Reality Winner inside her suburban Georgia home, giving it an almost documentary-like authenticity. The awkward, tense exchanges between Sweeney and the agents steadily ratchet up the suspense, pulling you in as her situation quietly closes in around her. It’s a masterclass in restraint where every pause and glance carries weight. If you’re not familiar with the story of Reality Winner, the film is a compelling watch, both as a gripping drama and a chilling look at how quickly one bad decision can spiral into something inescapable.

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Desert R

@DesertRain Apr 21

This film reminds me of the Irishman in that it it mostly dialogue yet riveting (for lack of a less cliche word.) There is a steady buildup in suspense that makes this a very intense watch.

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Joseph L

@Joseph504 Apr 18

Surprisingly effective.

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Ben W

@Username618 Apr 18

Saw with Mum when it came out. Very good, technical acting, Bit of a university essay.

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Mike H.

@Mik3y Apr 7

Sidney Sweeney's performance is incredible, showing real and earnest emotion.

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Torben E

@Torben Mar 30

Sydney Sweeney is such a talented actress and it was amazing seeing her transforming into the real character of Reality Winner for this movie. The movie itself is short, smart, fear-provoking and an eye-opener. It's more like a documentary of certain events that really happened. Especially in our today's world this movie should be included in the teaching material of schools and universities. As I said...it's a reality check (no pun intended). Don't expect a typical Hollywood movie or some sort of spy drama. You'll find great acting in this movie, authentic characters and dialogues and you will witness a slowly unfolding secret...in a documentary style.

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Tina Satter

Director

Sydney Sweeney

Reality Winner

Josh Hamilton

Garrick

Marchánt Davis

Taylor

John Way

FBI Agent

Benny Elledge

Joe

Tòkunbò

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Tòkunbò

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Reality: Featurette - Recreating Reality

5:02

Reality: Trailer 1

2:08

Reality: Teaser

0:50

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Synopsis

On a Saturday afternoon, in June 2017, Reality Winner, a 25-year-old in cut-off jeans, is confronted at her Georgia home by the FBI. A cryptic conversation begins and Reality's life quickly begins to unravel.

Director: Tina Satter
Producer: Brad Becker-Parton, Riva Marker, Greg Nobile, Noah Stahl
Screenwriter: James Paul Dallas, Tina Satter
Distributor: HBO
Production Co: Seaview Productions, 2 Sq Ft, Cinereach, Tanbark Pictures, In the Cut Productions, Fit Via Vi Film Productions, Burn These Words
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 29, 2023
Runtime: 1h 23m