The 1994 romantic comedy-drama, Reality Bites, is a cultural touchstone for people of a certain age. While it caused only a minor box office ripple upon release, it has remained firmly embedded in popular culture, gaining ‘cult status’ in the years that followed. This is because, in 1994, it gave us an accurate snapshot of a particular demographic and the society into which they were being ushered. Now, 26 years later, it proves to be a vehicle for some astute social observation. Most importantly, it achieves these things – back then, and right now – in a way that is refreshingly feminist.

On its surface, Reality Bites seems like a painting-by-numbers exercise. Set...

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