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Citizen Ruth

1996·Movie
1h 44min·R

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Citizen Ruth fingerprint

Funny, light on feelings.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Fast Pace6
  • Tension5
  • Adrenaline4

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Romance5
  • Pathos4
  • Hopefulness4

Humor

Plenty of satire and sharp wit

  • Satire & Parody8
  • Wit & Wordplay7
  • Situational Comedy6

World

Society, everyday modern life, and politics

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout dialogue

  • Dialogue Quality8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition5

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Life, liberty, money and the pursuit of happiness. She's gotta have it.

"Citizen Ruth" is the story of Ruth Stoops, a woman who nobody even noticed -- until she got pregnant. Now, everyone wants a piece of her. The film is a comedy about one woman caught in the ultimate tug-of-war: a clash of wild, noisy, ridiculous people that rapidly dissolves into a media circus.
Political SatireBlack ComedyTopicalDark HumorEccentric CharactersPro-Choice90sSocial Issues

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Citizen Ruth

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Citizen Ruth legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and YouTube Free. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, and Apple TV Store. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Citizen Ruth worth watching?

70
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7, Rotten Tomatoes 81%, and Metacritic 63). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Citizen Ruth rated?

RStrong languageDrug use

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: strong language and drug use.

How long is Citizen Ruth?

1 h 44 min

Citizen Ruth runs 1 h 44 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on Citizen Ruth?

Critics72
Audiences70

Yes. Critics average 72 and audiences 70 out of 100, so both groups see Citizen Ruth much the same way.

Was Citizen Ruth a box office hit?

Budget$3 million
Box office$285,112

No. It cost about $3 million to make and earned $285,112 worldwide, 10% of its budget.

What language is Citizen Ruth in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Citizen Ruth?

42ARATAUBEBGCACHCLCOCYCZDEDKEE+28

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Citizen Ruth in 42 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Citizen Ruth use?

Culture ClashVery Loosely Based on a True StoryThe UnapologeticGrey-and-Gray MoralityNominal HeroHypocriteConvenient MiscarriageKarma HoudiniOne-Night-Stand PregnancyAddled AddictAnti-HeroWomanChildand 2 more

TV Tropes lists 14 storytelling tropes for Citizen Ruth, including Culture Clash, Very Loosely Based on a True Story, The Unapologetic.