Subplotly
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ALL SHELVES·
The Rules of Attraction (2002) poster

The Rules of Attraction

dir. Roger Avary · 2002

Feature
Moral Ambiguity
Mood
Dark / Melancholic
Look
gritty realism with a stylized edge
Structure
non-linear with multiple perspectives
Plot

Camden College. Sean Bateman is the younger brother of depraved Wall Street broker Patrick Bateman. He's also a drug dealer who owes a lot of money to "fellow" dealer Rupert Guest, as well as a well-known womanizer, for he sleeps with nearly half of the female population on campus. Lauren Hynde is, technically, a virgin. She's saving herself for her shallow boyfriend, Victor Johnson, who's left the States to backpack across Europe. Her slutty roommate, Lara, has the hots for Victor as well. Paul Denton, who used to date Lauren, is openly bisexual and attracted to Mitchell Allen, who's dating Candice to prove to Paul that he's not gay. Sean loves Lauren. Paul loves Sean. And Lauren may love Sean.

Why watch

Sean Bateman navigates the treacherous waters of Camden College, where his life is a whirlwind of drugs, casual sex, and unfulfilled desires. As he grapples with his feelings for Lauren, a girl caught in a web of shallow relationships, the film immerses you in a world where every connection feels both vital and hollow.

Cultural context
early 2000s youth culturepost-9/11 disillusionmentthe rise of consumerismthe impact of social media on relationships

Where this shelves

every shelf · back to the store