Stranger Than Paradise

R

Released Jul 25, 1984

1 hr. 30 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

96%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

New York City layabout Willie (John Lurie) and his dopey sidekick, Eddie (Richard Edson), get by on TV dinners and beer financed by haphazard card-sharking. Willie gets an unwelcome visit from his Hungarian teen cousin, Eva (Eszter Balint), but, just as he warms to her, she ditches him for her aunt in Cleveland. Impulsively, Willie and Eddie take a road trip to pick up Eva, after which they head out to find fortune and paradise in Florida -- or at least alleviation from their constant boredom.

Read More

Read Less

Prime Video

Max

Apple TV

Watch Stranger Than Paradise with a subscription on Max, rent on Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

A striking debut for director Jim Jarmusch, Stranger than Paradise is an effortlessly cool exploration of finding meaning in the mundane.

Read Critics Reviews

Talon B

One of the worst films I've ever seen. Nothing happens, the ending doesn't make any sense, the characters are disgusting bozos (except the girl). Just super slow and boring. The only reason I watched it is because I absolutely love the soundtrack and I just assumed the film would be just as good but surprisingly it's not. I would recommend just listening to the soundtrack. I'm not sure how much an incredible score ended up on such a garbage film.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/24

Full Review

sj w

quite a good watch, but the story was a bit boring and mundane - but I guess thats the point! dont understand why he flies back at the end, why would he take the plane if he doesnt see his cousin on it?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

Full Review

Vito P

Three beautifully crafted acts unfold at a slow, perfect pace, creating a wholly engrossing, anarchic and dreamy narrative.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/23

Full Review

Joe T

Shot in black and white, a very well made movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/23/23

Full Review

Logan M

One of my favorite movies and a hilarious but subtle comedy that makes everyday activities and possibly boring moments strangely entertaining.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/23

Full Review

theresa w

Poorly made grey film. Some aspects are novel for the time, but it lacks in storytelling and character development. It also presents immigrants in a negative light. Very disappointed.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Jim Jarmusch

Director

John Lurie

Willie

Eszter Balint

Eva

Richard Edson

Eddie

Cecillia Stark

Aunt Lotte

Danny Rosen

Billy

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

29%

49%

Class

63%

60%

About Last Night ...

14%

49%

The Prince of Pennsylvania

76%

91%

Night on Earth

71%

78%

The World According to Garp

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

This is a plaintive, intelligent, laconic New York comedy.

Dec 7, 2022

Full Review

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack / And you may find yourself in another part of the world / And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile / Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 3, 2020

Full Review

Richard Brody

New Yorker

A unified vision of populist American aesthetics.

Feb 3, 2020

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Throughout “Stranger Than Paradise” I couldn’t help but feel a hip French New Wave vibe in the vein of early Godard, Truffaut, and Chabrol.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 25, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

One of the most important indie achievements of '84.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 24, 2019

Full Review

A.S. Hamrah

n+1

Stranger Than Paradise captures what in retrospect turned out to be a last moment of unbranded American reality.

Nov 29, 2018

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

New York City layabout Willie (John Lurie) and his dopey sidekick, Eddie (Richard Edson), get by on TV dinners and beer financed by haphazard card-sharking. Willie gets an unwelcome visit from his Hungarian teen cousin, Eva (Eszter Balint), but, just as he warms to her, she ditches him for her aunt in Cleveland. Impulsively, Willie and Eddie take a road trip to pick up Eva, after which they head out to find fortune and paradise in Florida -- or at least alleviation from their constant boredom.

Director: Jim Jarmusch
Executive Producer: Otto Grokenberger
Screenwriter: Jim Jarmusch
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company, Criterion Collection
Production Co: Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 25, 1984, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 8, 2017
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now