The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

94% Tomatometer 162 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings

He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) orchestrates "The Truman Show," a live broadcast of Truman's every move captured by hidden cameras. Cristof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), from the show and replacing her with Meryl (Laura Linney). As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must decide whether to act on it.

Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

The Truman Show

The Truman Show

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A funny, tender, and thought-provoking film, The Truman Show is all the more noteworthy for its remarkably prescient vision of runaway celebrity culture and a nation with an insatiable thirst for the private details of ordinary lives.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (162) Critics Reviews
The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Elvis Mitchell Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com There are no surprises in The Truman Show, except that Weir and Carrey manage to keep the picture on course. Rated: 3/5 Feb 15, 2023 Full Review The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Terry Lawson Detroit Free Press This is acting that isn't, but Carrey doesn't let the two-way mirror throw him; his unreality becomes his only real truth. Rated: 3/4 Feb 14, 2023 Full Review The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Quentin Curtis Daily Telegraph (UK) It is really about freedom... and it is to our own enslavement that this powerful, brilliant, and profound film speaks. Feb 14, 2023 Full Review The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Mike Massie Gone With The Twins It’s a curious social experiment idea, even if it's steeped in a fantasy so comprehensive that it always feels unconvincing. Rated: 6/10 Sep 16, 2024 Full Review The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes (5) James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk a prophetic comedy of ideas that hit all too close to home in our media-savvy, television-obsessed, celebrity-enthralled times Rated: 4/4 Oct 8, 2023 Full Review The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Luke Buckmaster Flicks (AU, NZ, UK) Thinking about The Truman Show in 2023, it’s clear the film—marvellously written by Andrew Niccol—was ahead of its time in some respects and doomed to be quickly dated in others. Aug 30, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews

Estevan G A movie that is both thought provoking and entertaining! Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/05/25 Full Review Ivan S This movie really made me think about the ethics of falsifying someone's reality, depriving them of the truth, and protecting them from worldly evil, and commodifying their life experiences. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review David W The Truman Show is a classic that had a major impact at the time of its release and continues to maintain its relevance decades later. The film is well-thought-out with new details discovered upon every viewing. A complex setting belies a compact and simple storyline that is richly delivered, layered, and engaging. I would absolutely watch this again. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/31/24 Full Review Audience Member It is probably the best Movie Jim Carrey ever played on. I have no idea how he didn't get an oscar out of it. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/29/24 Full Review Joaquin C Es por lejos la mejor película de jim carrey y una de las mejores que e visto, para mí, está es la mejor actuación de jim carrey demostrando que también hace buenas películas de dramas aparte de la comedia y es que es claramente una película profunda, una película que puede tener muchos interpretaciones pero para mí es una mensaje de que hay que hay que vivir una vida real y afrontarla y no vivir en una mentira ya que nada gira en nuestro alrededor y vivir realmente, a pesar que puede ser aterrador y desconocido y es que el final dios, como llore, un final completamente poético, simplemente es una obra maestra, una película con dosis de comedia pero con un drama melancólico y un final algo agridulce pero hermoso, simplemente la mejor obra de carrey Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/29/24 Full Review Ralph R Directed by Peter Weir and starring Jim Carrey in a career-defining role, the film tells the story of Truman Burbank, a man living unknowingly in a reality TV show. This premise alone sets it apart in cinematic history. Truman felt real, relatable, and honestly, just amazing.What makes this movie special is how unique the story is. Back in 1998, the idea of someone’s life being filmed without them knowing was way ahead of its time. The film captured and critiqued a cultural shift before it fully unfolded. Watching Truman figure out that his whole world is fake and trying to break free is equal parts heartbreaking and inspiring. It really makes you think about how much of your life is influenced by the world around you and what’s actually real.The choice of location was genius, the town Truman lives in, Seahaven, is picture-perfect. It was filmed in Seaside, Florida, and honestly, it looks like something out of a postcard. But that’s the point, it feels like the kind of place you'd dream of but quickly realize is too good to be true, just like Truman’s life. The way they shot the movie is genius too. Cinematographer Peter Biziou masterfully used unconventional angles, hidden-camera perspectives, and subtle vignetting to make you feel like you’re watching Truman through the eyes of the people spying on him.Thematically, The Truman Show hits hard. It’s about the constructed realities we live in, whether imposed by media, society, or even ourselves. It explores what it means to live authentically and the cost of breaking free from comfort and illusion. And honestly, how many movies make you question the nature of your own life?Beyond the story, the film’s legacy is remarkable. It anticipated a world of mass surveillance and reality TV, making it more than just a movie, it’s a cultural touchstone. Even now, its themes feel fresh and unsettling, like it was made for today.It’s not just an entertaining watch but a thought-provoking experience that stays with you long after the credits roll. Whether it’s your first time watching or a revisit, The Truman Show feels like a mirror to our times. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/21/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Truman Show

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Peter Weir Director Jim Carrey Truman Burbank Laura Linney Meryl Burbank Noah Emmerich Marlon Natascha McElhone Lauren Holland Taylor Truman's Mother
Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home

Holy Man 12% 25% Holy Man Watchlist My Giant 21% 25% My Giant Watchlist Simon Birch 44% 77% Simon Birch Watchlist Wild America 29% 59% Wild America Watchlist Twelfth Night 76% 80% Twelfth Night Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All Related Movie News
What to Watch This Week: Transformers, It’s Always Sunny, and More Tahar Rahim’s Five Favorite Films All 42 Fresh Movies and Originals Coming to Netflix in January

Videos

View All videos

The Truman Show

The Truman Show: Trailer 1 The Truman Show: Trailer 1 2:32 View more videos

Photos

View All The Truman Show photos

The Truman Show

The Truman Show (1998) View more photos

Synopsis He doesn't know it, but everything in Truman Burbank's (Jim Carrey) life is part of a massive TV set. Executive producer Christof (Ed Harris) orchestrates "The Truman Show," a live broadcast of Truman's every move captured by hidden cameras. Cristof tries to control Truman's mind, even removing his true love, Sylvia (Natascha McElhone), from the show and replacing her with Meryl (Laura Linney). As Truman gradually discovers the truth, however, he must decide whether to act on it.

Director
Peter Weir

Producer
Scott Rudin, Andrew Niccol, Edward S. Feldman, Adam Schroeder

Screenwriter
Andrew Niccol

Production Co
Paramount Pictures, Scott Rudin Productions

Rating
PG

Genre
Comedy, Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 5, 1998, Original

Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012

Box Office (Gross USA)
$125.6M

Runtime
1h 42m

Sound Mix
Surround
Most Popular at Home Now
The Truman Show | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6164

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.