The greatest distinction of "Ghost World" is its singular spirit. Here's a dark, deadpan comedy about alienated kids that manages to be smart, surpassingly odd, extremely funny and mysteriously endearing at the same time.

| Apr 12, 2013

See it for Birch's hostile stare and Johansson's devastating monotone.

Full Review | Apr 12, 2013

Most of Ghost World is funny, but the laughs are inextricably tied to the painful alienation and self-loathing that comes with living on society's fringes.

Full Review | Jul 14, 2010

By sharp turns poignant, disturbing and hysterically funny.

| Jul 7, 2010

his is 'teen comedy' of startling sophistication -- with horribly funny bits as well. A true original, with sharp humour, subtle detail and painfully realistic characters.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 30, 2006

It isn't a perfect film, but it's never less than strikingly original.

| Jun 24, 2006

It's a sneaky, snide and cynical masterpiece of urban dystopia seen through the eyes of youth and ranks as one of the best American films so far this year.

| Original Score: 4/4 | Jun 19, 2003

Zwigoff pulls off something in Ghost World that seems a minor miracle -- he creates someone with a complex inner life.

| Apr 21, 2003

Adeptly evokes the unbearable dullness of being 18, the precarious power play of female friendship, the torpor born from having to decide what 'other plans' you should make if you're not going to go to college.

| Mar 3, 2002

For all its weirdness and weightless suburban ennui, this is actually a very plausible, understated account of late adolescent pain.

| Nov 24, 2001

A funny and moving paean to adolescence.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 12, 2001

Never predictable, this movie is often hilarious as well as touching, subtly adapting the mise en scene of Clowes's original without being fancy or obtrusive about it.

| Aug 31, 2001

One of the best portraits of teen anomie this side of Catcher in the Rye.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 27, 2001

A touching study of alienation that comes with no easy answers or excuses for those who cannot seem to connect in life.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 24, 2001

[Zwigoff] has elicited remarkable performances.

| Aug 24, 2001

Give this weirdly humanitarian picture a try, and don't be surprised if you find yourself smiling through the bummer.

| Aug 20, 2001

A darkly funny musing on junior-division misanthropy and, easily, the summer's best film about teen life.

Full Review | Aug 17, 2001

Graced by numerous wonderful and amusing touches, and boasts sterling performances by Birch and Buscemi.

Full Review | Aug 17, 2001

Riveting, hilarious and poignant.

Full Review | Aug 16, 2001

In her need for affection, in her need to be taken seriously, Enid is poignant without ever being cloying.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Aug 9, 2001