
Waking Life(2001)
“Dreams. What are they? An escape from reality or reality itself?”
Overview
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.
Director
Richard Linklater
Studio
IFC Productions
Budget
$2M
Revenue
$3M
Cast

Ethan Hawke
as Jesse

Julie Delpy
as Celine

Wiley Wiggins
as Main Character

Bill Wise
as Boat Car Guy

Alex E. Jones
as Man in Car with P.A.

Steven Soderbergh
as Interviewed on Television

Ken Webster
as Bartender

Charles Gunning
as Angry Man in Jail

Lorelei Linklater
as Young Girl Playing Paper Game
Trevor Jack Brooks
as Young Boy Playing Paper Game
Glover Gill
as Accordion Player
Lara Hicks
as Violin Player
Where to Watch
Availability may vary by region. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Movie Facts
Release Year
2001
Runtime
1h 41m
Language
English
Rating
7.5 / 10
Budget
$2M
Box Office
$3M
Production Companies
IFC Productions • Thousand Words • Detour Filmproduction
You Might Also Like

Animation / Fantasy
Cryptozoo
2021

Animation / Fantasy
The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep
2025

Animation / Action
Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match
2023

Animation / Action
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind
2022

Drama / Fantasy
Nine Days
2021

Adventure / Fantasy
Interstate 60
2002

Drama / Fantasy
The Zero Theorem
2013

Animation / Action
Freedom Fighters: The Ray
2018
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Waking Life?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for Waking Life (2001).
What is Waking Life about?▼
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.
Who directed Waking Life?▼
Waking Life was directed by Richard Linklater and released in 2001. It is a animation, drama, fantasy film.
How long is Waking Life?▼
Waking Life has a runtime of 1 hours and 41 minutes (101 minutes total).
Who stars in Waking Life?▼
The cast of Waking Life includes Ethan Hawke as Jesse, Julie Delpy as Celine, Wiley Wiggins as Main Character, Bill Wise as Boat Car Guy, Alex E. Jones as Man in Car with P.A. and more.
Explore More by Genre
Need a recommendation?
Tell us your mood and we'll pick the perfect movie for you.
