Election

Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), a well-liked high school government teacher, can't help but notice that successful student Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) uses less than ethical tactics to get what she wants. When Tracy runs for school president, Jim feels that she will be a poor influence on the student body and convinces Paul, a dim-witted but popular student athlete, to run against Tracy. When she becomes aware of Jim's secret involvement in the race, a bitter feud is sparked.

Where to Watch

Election

Watch Election with a subscription on Prime Video, Paramount+, rent on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

What to Know

Election successfully combines dark humor and intelligent writing in this very witty and enjoyable film.

Critics Reviews

Noel Murray The Verge Broderick gives a wonderfully nebbishy performance, and the filmmakers do a fine job of using visual cues to define the smallness of his world. Sep 30, 2019 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek The comedy may not resonate as deeply as the well-named Payne intends, but between Witherspoon's exuberant solipsism and Broderick's talent for absorbing massive humiliation, the chuckles keep coming like poisoned darts. Mar 3, 2018 Full Review Lisa Alspector Chicago Reader The treatment of this touchy material is impressive, neither gratuitous nor mincing, but this 1999 satirical comedy doesn't really go anywhere. Aug 24, 2010 Full Review Stephen Silver The SS Ben Hecht To modern eyes, it looks like he’s mad at a teenage girl for getting molested by his friend- something that, through a contemporary lens, makes Jim look a lot more evil than he did 25 years ago (25th anniversary) Rated: 3/5 Apr 20, 2024 Full Review Al Topich Arkansas Democrat-Gazette The cast is fun and quirky, but Witherspoon really stands out. She gives a perfect performance. Jan 6, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy A movie of unexpected savagery and caustic wit. Rated: 4/4 Sep 18, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

Munkhchimeg T One of the good movies in 90s. Liked the 90s vibe and dominant music. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/19/24 Full Review Bahad j In my opinion, I felt that the movie was very good, behind all this, the filmmaker was able to come up with the right festive details to congratulate the members of the behind-the-scenes team. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/10/24 Full Review Keith S Very enjoyable from start to finish. It's a good quirky that is refreshingly stimulating. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/13/24 Full Review Jon L Reese is incredible in this! Great character and great movie. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/24 Full Review Alec C An incredibly funny and satirizing film of politics, self-delusion and lack or morality, all in the setting of a common high school! The characters are humorously narrating themselves with a sense of self-importance that makes them surprisingly relatable. As the election to class president heats up and the irony increases, we're left in stitches as the circumstances get more bizarre and amoral as you can get! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/15/23 Full Review Johnathon W Hilarious political satire that shows politics don't change much from high school. The cast is brilliant across the board, with Reese Witherspoon superb as Tracy Flick, an overly ambitious student who scares her teacher (a brilliant Matthew Broderick) so much he tries to sabotage her election. Behind the camera, Alexander Payne delivers a hilarious comedy pointing out the absorbing of politics and elections (at one point, the most popular candidate is the one who promises to dissolve the student government). Just a great, hilarious film from beginning to end. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews