User Reviews

While this movie might not take a serious look on the time period of which Hunter S. Thompson ran for sheriff in Aspen but I still had quite a fun time watching this movie. While the acting isn't great in this movie I wouldn't call it bad acting, it's pretty average and I have seen a lot worse, and while Jay Bulger's take in HST isn't my favorite his performance did grow on me and it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the movie. I think my biggest issue with this movie is how some of the characters were written, specifically with the characters opposing Hunter, some of the characters were ok but some of them felt and acted like the people who were trying to prove that the Ghostbusters were fakes. Other than that I don't see much reason to not watch this movie if you get the chance. If you want a more serious and factual look on this part of Hunter's life I recommend a documentary called "Freak Power: The Ballot or the Bomb". But overall I do recommend this movie, especially if you're a fan of Hunter S. Thompson. While I don't think its better, I also don't think this movie is much worse than "Where the Buffalo Roam". I may be bias towards this movie but why not just watch the movie it's not gonna hurt ya.

Finally a movie that shows the human side of a fascinating man. Hunter comes of as an intelligent, interested and motivated man. Very little myth making here. Impressive lead performance.

Though most will probably know the name "Hunter S Thompson" for his wilder exploits chronicled in the book and film "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" , this movie focuses on some of his more constructive efforts, namely his bid to become Sheriff of the rural town of Aspen in 1970. Humourous japes such as pcp laced cigarettes and roller skating activists are placed alongside more serious themes such as industrial pollution, police harassment, and, inevitably, the war in Vietnam. It all rolls along quite nicely but in the end, the film just doesn't quite go in hard enough. Ironically, leaning into the nastier side of Hunter's legend ( or indeed the darker side of American society at the time) might have given the film the extra bit of tension and pizazz needed to lift it from good to great. Instead, it spends far too much time labouring it's central point, which is that the hippies had some good ideas underneath the craziness, they just needed to get out and vote. I've no idea how succinct this analysis is, I just resented being beaten over the head with it quite so much. Still , this film is an above average watch.

This isn't a film about Hunter S Thompson. It is a film about Aspen and the end of the old west, as told though the Battle for Aspen. What Thompson's campaign was all about. When the film stays on point it is pretty good and actually does show the conflict that still exists today in Aspen over development and wealth instead of community. But it is hard to fill a two hour movie with only that theme, so there's a lot of filler showing the details of the campaign.

I really loved Fear And Loathing In Vegas, where Johnny Depp did a remarkable job playing Hunter S. Thompson. That movie can not be compared to this one though as Fear And Loathing In Aspen is more biographical than pure entertainment. Jay Bulger also did a very good job playing Hunter S. Thompson. That's the best thing about this movie. The story is also interesting to follow. I just wished the quality of the cinematography would have been better. That was in my humble opinion the weakest point of this movie. Plus some actors were just not that good either. That said it's worth a watch but I don't really need to watch it again. Fear And Loathing In Vegas on the other hand I can rewatch several times.

So, this is a story from Hunter S Thompson's life, and bills itself as "the sequel to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"...it is not.

What could have been a great film and an interesting chapter out of the life and times of one of the most recognizable names in literature and journalism, just ends up being a boring mess, and is totally let down by the low budget, bad writing and horrible acting by people that are obviously trying their best but simply don't have the skill required to pull it off.

If you are a fan of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, then stay far far away from this movie, as you won't find any of the humour, wit and drug fueled chaos that made the original so entertaining. There is very little to like about this movie. It had a great premise but it just doesn't work. Nothing here feels coherent or entertaining in any way at all.

Could have been better. Just OK acting. Just OK writing. Just an OK movie all in all. And by the way the Johnny Depp is the only guy who can play Hunter S Thompson, this guys got balls for at least trying though.

A well researched and written portrayal of actual events , many liberties were taken to enhance the story to keep it moving . Screenplay was enjoyable comes across entertaining without going overboard with the " Raul Duke " character but keeps true to Hunter S Thompson " the man " . Cinematography , Editing and Set Locations all were enjoyable , as a fan of this era of Thompson I would recommend. For someone with no background or references, it could be lost . Jay Bulger plays Thompson with a beautiful charisma that at times had me lost wondering if I was watching a documentary or scripted cinema.

Don't waste your time. The script is bad, the acting is bad and the production is bad. This film never should have been made.

I have always been a HST fan and have read nearly all his books and seen all the movies based on the books or about HST in general. He has a style that is very difficult to take from paper and put on the screen but this movie takes a shot at it and for the most part succeeds. First of this is not Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, a wonderful movies btw, but rather this movie has a more straightforward plot, that being Hunter's run for sheriff in Aspen in 1970. It is based on his articles in rolling stone (called the battle for aspen) detailing his campaign to unite the freaks and outcasts of aspen to get rid of the corrupt politicians that are selling their paradise to land developers. Its almost the plot of any of those bad 1980s ski movies about the evil developer coming to town and the people coming together to fight against it, only in this movie hunter carries a gun and the freaks dont win.

HST is a notoriously difficult character to portray correctly, he has such distinct mannerisms in how he talked and interacted with people, and it doesnt help that the previous attempts were delivered by hollywood heavyweights like murray and depp. But i have to give bulger credit for getting the essence of HST and not going too overboard. I do wish we got to see more character development and especially more interactions with his family because if youve read his works you know there was a lot of family drama going on at this time as well that we dont get to see in the movie. Anyway bulger's acting is solid enough to keep you entertained about the character and his shenanigans (like dumping contaminated water on the city council floor,) and there were occasions, like the speech at the end after his team lost the election, that really nailed the angst and ennui of the late 60s and early 70s. All in all, this movie is more direct and straight forward than Where the Buffalo Roam and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas as it follows a single linear story line about the run for office, but it is still weird enough to capture the essence of HST. I was engaged for the entire movie (even knowing what was going to happen) and found myself laughing several times. This movie has its flaws and isnt perfect but most people will find it an entertaining way to kill 90 minutes.

This film draws together it's own adaptation of the YouTube documentaries on HST running for Sheriff in Aspen...and it is dreadful. I've watched hours and hours of Hunter S Thompson, quoted the man on a daily for years, bought clothes to look like him and even picked up an old typewriter. It's the effort you put into what you love that counts and the creators of this movie found a guy who resembled Hunter and that's about as much effort went into the film's making. Johnny Depp and Bill Murray both played Hunter S Thompson and they look nothing like him BUT THE FILMS WERE WATCHABLE. Save your time and YouTube Hunter instead, you'll thank me forever. -KC.

Entertaining and easy going fun to watch movie, dont know why so much haters.

This cringe filled ode of a crazy drug using loser. He is why we have these RepubliQan Trumpers now. Generations on Marijuana, having too many kids, not saving for retirement or investing. Disgusting, pre-marital sex, conceiving out of wedlock.

Did you know that gonzo journalist Hunter S Thompson once ran for Sheriff of Aspen? This very twisted project is an attempt to associate the Kennedy's with him, or not. The director is the third descendant of Robert F Kennedy (Bobby Kennedy III). The star is RF Kennedy Jr's wife (Cheryl Hines). The break-out actor (suppressing her actual last name 'Kennedy') is Amaryllis Fox, the daughter-in-law of Robert F Kennedy Jr, who is running for president; as a transparently calculated spoiler. RFK Jr will be the new Jill Stein in November. Kennedy (Amaryllis) plays the campaign manager Peggy Clifton. In real life Amaryllis IS the campaign manager of RFK Jr's. Phony campaign, cuz nepotism.

This was a demented attempt to sell you a 'strong woman' narrative that is as phony as it gets. Meta, wealthy wastrels trying to manipulate you, instead of getting real jobs.

Pretty sick. Tail Wags Dog.

This is not Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas II, THANK GOD! Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas II would be a terrible idea and a horrible movie most likely.

Fear and Loathing in Aspen on the other hand has a lot more to do with Hunter S Thompson than Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Don't get me wrong, FaLi Las Vegas is a great film, but it is 50%Terry Gilliam, 30% Johnny Depp and 20% HS Thompson.

FaLi Las Vegas is Gilliam's and Depp's take on HS Thompson and for that it is brilliant.

This film is 100% Hunter S Thompson.

A brilliantly told and seemingly pretty accurate retelling of HS Thompsons escapades in Aspen. Great acting, great script, great movie.

Was happy to find this gem. Great acting with a great script. We need more movies like this.

If you like HST, you'll love this. It's no hallucinogenic road trip like fear and loathing in Las Vegas but serves as a prequel to it in the sense that you see a younger, unknown HST beginning his career.

Jay Bulger does a very, very good HST. Where Johnny Depp set the bar extremely high in F&LILV it's still very hard not to wish he was playing HST in this, albeit the JD at the age of the 1998 film.

Check out the trailer to get a really good gist of the film, then pour a whisky and then buy the ticket and take the ride!

A fresh take on Hunter S. Thompson's extraordinary life that separates itself from fear and loathing in Las Vegas in the best way possible. Jay Bulger could not have mastered the role of Hunter any better and I enjoyed his less but still quite animated version much better than F&L in Las Vegas. This movie grabs your attention from the start while also proving comic relief throughout and tugging at the heart strings of the true American.

Quick easy hit that made we desperately want to go back and live in Aspen in the 70s. I was not a particular fan of his previous to watching this and honestly don't know much about him or his work so this was a fun introduction for me.

The dialogue felt authentic and characters believable. Would definitely recommend.

Some have pointed out that this film lacks the big-budget Hollywood theatrics of Terry Gilliam's over-the-top (but wonderfully zany) interpretation of "Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas", and I agree.

Whether by design or default, this more stripped down and focused approach is part of what gives "Aspen" its charm. It feels like a genuine and intimate throwback, appropriately DIY and Gonzo-style, and a very human characterization of Hunter (the man, before the legend) during a pivotal and uncertain period, both personally and politically.

This seemingly-forgotten microcosmic series of events, in all its glorious peculiarity, reveals broader socio-political themes that highlight the fragility of the American Dream. The message resonates more strongly than ever in today's political climate in the USA, and serves as a reminder of what's at stake.

Far from a caricature of the subject matter, the film features nuanced writing, solid directing, and fine acting, especially from Bulger, who nails not only the "classic" Hunter mannerisms and delivery, but also conveys more depth and introspection than has typically been depicted on screen. There are plenty of laughs along the way, but ultimately, this is not the drug-fueled absurdist comedy one might expect...thankfully!

The decision to shoot much of it on real film (including Super 8 film), rather than digitally, completes the period-appropriate, time capsule aesthetic. The meticulous cinematography often captures stunning images of the land and resources that made America so classically and inextricably tied to a profound sense of wonder and "freedom".

All in all, it is a quick, pleasant watch, and entirely worth it.

NOTE: This film has also been compared to the 2020 documentary "Freak Power: The Ballot or the Bomb," inspired by the same subject matter. While I encourage viewers to see that film as well, it should be noted that "Fear and Loathing In Aspen" was actually conceived, filmed, and scheduled to be released first, but its original premiere at SXSW in early 2020 was pushed back due to COVID. The unaffiliated documentary was released in the meantime.

So many people trash on this movie because it's not Vegas.

It was never supposed to be.

Vegas was the trip...this was the man.

I am beyond impressed at how he was portrayed, the story of the real life battle of Aspen, as well as the feel of the cinematography. It was hard to distinguish whether scenes were from real old movies or shot specifically for this film.

It brought a tear to my eye as I miss this man in our world very much, and this love letter to his complexities was a great look back at how the man actually ticked.

If you're looking for Vegas, which is a great film, go to Vegas. But if you want to see a movie about the man instead of the myth...this movie is great.

For the viewer well versed in Hunter history, the overwhelming success of this movie is in the reconstruction of the era. Interspersed with original footage from 1970 it is at times difficult to know whether one is watching 50+ years old material or newly shot film.

Jay Bulger does a stellar job of recreating the tics, craziness, passion, and the principles of Hunter S Thompson. Physically distinctive in his movements and gait Bulger's performance is virtually flawless. Similarly in the capture of Hunter's unique Kentucky mumble. Hats off to the attention to detail in this work. I know very well the scenes recreated here, and wholeheartedly applaud the pinpoint accuracy of the creators in wardrobe, direction and location.

A welcome addition to the lexicon of Hunter, in the sense that it offers to those who know little beyond the cartoonish drug addled writer of the much celebrated Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, another side to ponder. The man who as was said in his campaign "is a moralist posing as an immoralist"; as opposed to the likes of Richard Nixon who it was noted "is an immoralist posing as a moralist".

To explore further the tale of Hunter's run for sheriff, and the entirety of his life and writing career, I highly recommend the 2009 documentary - Gonzo:The Life And Work of Dr Hunter S Thompson, where one can see much of the original footage from the campaign, that has been so superbly recreated here. Further to that one might be inclined to read his collection of pieces for Rolling Stone from the 1972 election, entitled Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail.

One of the best treatments to the lore, the man, the mythos. Hunter s thompson, clearly the best movie of 2021. A true win for humanity and perfect from every angle.

It's a low budget independent film. It's not here to win awards or even make money. It's simply a little film about an interesting time in Pitkin County and possibly the happiest time in Thomason's life. Freak power was on full display when he made his run for sheriff and he actually gained traction and had people listening to him and tried to change things. He certainly had an understanding of land development and what that entails and what it can do to small town America. Hunter was certainly one of a kind but in the 60s and early 70s before he went full gonzo the man really cared. He was a self proclaimed political junkie and his many works on American politics is completely unique compared to your run of the mill political commentary.

I'm todays America and how the political landscape is Hunter S. Thompson actually comes off quite normal compared to todays reality tv show version of running for office in the United States. Give this little film a chance and again if you are a fan of the man then this will be a fun little escape. If you aren't familiar with the man then hopefully this gets you to read his work. Especially his work in American Politics. Fear and Loathing on the campaign trail 72 is must read political history for anyone interested in the madness of American politics.

How the frick does this have a 5.5?! This is the best movie I've watched in YEARS. This is my new favourite movie ever. I laughed my ass off, I cried (crazy relevance/parallels to modern politics) and grinned the entire time. Such a feel good movie, with a massive dose of nostalgia for a time I only grew up reading about. Someone complained about the cinematography! Really? It was PERFECT. It felt like found footage from the 70s, the colour grading and sets were PERFECT. Now, a quick disclaimer, a tab of acid will enhanced this.

Buy the ticket, take the ride. If you're a Hunter fan, this is like mainlining.