Rebel Without a Cause
Reception

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

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External reception

7.7
5 platform(s) · 7 ratings 124,403 votes
8.0/10 18,504 votes Synced 2026-07-21
7.6/10 104,005 votes Synced 2026-08-20
Audience 7.5/10 76 votes Synced 2026-07-19
Critics 8.9/10 Synced 2026-07-19
Audience 8.7/10 Synced 2026-07-17
Critics 9.1/10 Synced 2026-07-17
7.5/10 1,818 votes Synced 2026-09-15

External reviews

David Parkinson · Empire 100.00/100.00

The red-jacketed, Method-pouting James Dean steals every scene, but the ensemble playing is nothing short of exemplary.

synced 2026-07-19
Staff (Not Credited) · Total Film 100.00/100.00

Dean's profoundly influential sullen charisma is still captivating.

synced 2026-07-19
Geoff Andrew · Time Out 90.00/100.00

What makes the film so powerful is both the sympathy it extends towards all the characters (including the seemingly callous parents) and the precise expressionism of Ray's direction. His use of light, space and motion is continually at the service of the characters' emotions, while the trio that Dean, Wood and Mineo form as a refuge from society is explicitly depicted as an 'alternative family'. Still the best of the youth movies.

synced 2026-07-19
Roger Ebert · Chicago Sun-Times 100.00/100.00

A milestone in the creation of new idea about young people.

synced 2026-07-19
Dan Callahan · Slant Magazine 100.00/100.00

Where the attitudes of "East of Eden" are hopelessly dated and broad, the poetic longing for connection in Rebel Without a Cause will always feel timeless.

synced 2026-07-19
Dave Kehr · Chicago Reader 100.00/100.00

Dean's alienation is perfectly expressed through Ray's vertiginous mise-en-scene: the suburban LA setting becomes a land of decaying Formica and gothic split-levels. An unmissable film, made with a delirious compassion.

synced 2026-07-19
Jamie Russell · BBC 100.00/100.00

Originally shot in black and white, then switching to CinemaScope early in production, Rebel Without A Cause is a brilliant, iconic movie.

synced 2026-07-19
Jack Moffitt · The Hollywood Reporter 80.00/100.00

It contains some extraordinarily good acting by the late James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo (who is coming up fast and reveals himself to be a real trouper in this one). The direction by Nicholas Ray is outstanding...This is a superficial treatment of a vital problem that has been staged brilliantly.

synced 2026-07-19
Marjorie Baumgarten · Austin Chronicle 89.00/100.00

Secretary is a testament to the importance of tonality in telling a story.

synced 2026-08-03

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