Citizen Ruth

  • 1996
  • R
  • 104m
movieMx RATING
6.6/10143
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: Citizen Ruth Review

Last updated: February 15, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 15, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is Citizen Ruth (1996) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.6/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Citizen Ruth features a noteworthy lineup led by Laura Dern . Supported by the likes of Swoosie Kurtz and Kurtwood Smith , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Citizen Ruth (1996) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.6/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, Citizen Ruth stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: Citizen Ruth

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1996, Citizen Ruth is a Drama, Comedy film directed by Alexander Payne. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Laura Dern.

Ending Explained: Citizen Ruth

Ending Breakdown: Directed by Alexander Payne, Citizen Ruth concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Laura Dern, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Citizen Ruth reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Citizen Ruth?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Laura Dern or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: Citizen Ruth

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $3.0M
Worldwide Gross $285.1K
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

Citizen Ruth Budget

The estimated production budget for Citizen Ruth is $3.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: Citizen Ruth

All Cast & Crew →
Laura Dern
Laura DernRuth Stoops
Swoosie Kurtz
Swoosie KurtzDiane Siegler
Kurtwood Smith
Kurtwood SmithNorm Stoney
Mary Kay Place
Mary Kay PlaceGail Stoney
Kenneth Mars
Kenneth MarsDr. Charlie Rollins
David Graf
David GrafJudge Richter
Tippi Hedren
Tippi HedrenJessica Weiss
Burt Reynolds
Burt ReynoldsBlaine Gibbons
Lance Rome
Lance RomeRuth's Lover
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Where to Watch Citizen Ruth Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

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🏷️ Buy on

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Citizen Ruth Parents Guide & Age Rating

1996 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about Citizen Ruth age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

Citizen Ruth is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of Citizen Ruth is 104 minutes (1h 44m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.6/10, and global performance metrics, Citizen Ruth is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1996 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for Citizen Ruth. Rating: 6.6/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Citizen Ruth worth watching?

Citizen Ruth is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.6/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find Citizen Ruth parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for Citizen Ruth identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of Citizen Ruth?

The total duration of Citizen Ruth is 104 minutes, which is approximately 1h 44m long.

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How Citizen Ruth Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Citizen Ruth

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.6
Citizen Ruth
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