Real Genius
1985 · Movie · PG · 106 min · ★ 6.7 · 74% critics
A teen prodigy arrives at a high-pressure tech school and joins an advanced laser project under a demanding professor. As the students realize their work may be turned into a military weapon, they band together with campus friends and rivals, mixing brainy problem-solving with rebellious pranks to push back.
Also known as Profession: Génie
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Details
- Years
- 1985
- Release date
- 1985-08-07
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Critic score
- 74/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.7/10 (500 votes)
About
If you enjoy light, brainy 80s comedies with pranks, campus chaos, and a bit of moral pushback, this fits well; Not for you if you want grounded realism or subtle humor like Arthur.
Pros: witty one-liners; playful 80s energy; smart-kid camaraderie | Cons: slow early stretch; exaggerated side characters; humor can feel mean
Themes
- genius
- laser
- u.s. air force
- boy genius
- ego
- teen comedy
- computer cracker
- woman director
Cast & crew
Val Kilmer
as Chris Knight
Gabriel Jarret
as Mitch Taylor
Michelle Meyrink
as Jordan
William Atherton
as Professor Hathaway
Robert Prescott
as Kent
Louis Giambalvo
as Major Carnagle
Jon Gries
as Lazlo Hollyfeld
Ed Lauter
as CIA Man Decker
Stacy Peralta
as Shuttle Pilot
Daniel Ades
as Laser Ray Victim
Directed by Martha Coolidge