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Fantasy comedy

Relaxer (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Relaxer (2019) movie poster

Relaxer is a 2019 fantasy comedy directed by Joel Potrykus, starring David Dastmalchian as Cam, Joe Anderson and Andre Hyland. It runs 1 hour 31 minutes and earned $6,133 worldwide on a $75,000 budget. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10.

IMDb rating
6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
worldwide gross
$6.1K
Echo Score
70
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Relaxer (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 31m (91 min)
Director
Joel Potrykus
Genres
Fantasy , Comedy
Original language
English
Budget
$75K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Relaxer About?

The premise of Relaxer without spoilers.

As the threat of Y2K looms, a man embarks on a bizarre quest: to conquer Pac-Man's level 256 while remaining glued to his couch. Along with some hapless friends, he finds himself stranded in a desolate environment with dwindling supplies. Facing potential apocalypse, he unexpectedly unlocks extraordinary abilities through a pair of 3D glasses, allowing him to alter his immediate surroundings and offering a glimmer of hope.

Relaxer Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • vomiting
  • reference to jerry cantrell
  • reference to alice in chains
  • reference to tom cruise
  • reference to jerry maguire
  • written by director
  • y2k
  • playing a video game
  • reference to nintendo
  • mop bucket
  • drinking urine
  • pac man
+22 more
  • reference to domino's pizza
  • secret knock
  • challenge
  • reference to cuba gooding jr.
  • reference to carmen electra
  • reference to brooke burke
  • vcr
  • wearing sunglasses indoors
  • milk
  • reference to disneyland
  • reference to far side comics
  • reference to chuck e. cheese
  • junk food
  • throwing up
  • nerd
  • man wears sunglasses
  • loser
  • hurling
  • couch
  • asocial
  • hygiene
  • man wears sunglasses indoors
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Cast & crew

Relaxer Cast & Characters

David Dastmalchian leads the cast as Cam, with Joe Anderson as Brad Matuzak and Andre Hyland as Dallas. Directed by Joel Potrykus; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Relaxer

· 5 more
From the director

More from Joel Potrykus

More films directed by Joel Potrykus, best-rated first: Vulcanizadora, Buzzard, The Alchemist Cookbook and Unemployees.

Full filmography
Ratings

Relaxer Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Relaxer 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (55).

70 /100

Relaxer Echo Score Breakdown

Relaxer combines minimal setting with dark comedy and absurdist dialogue, yielding a divisive but memorable experience. Critics praised its inventive direction and gritty atmosphere, noting its cinematic rendering of a single apartment and its daring commentary on late-capitalist ennui. Others found the pacing uneven and the narrative payoff lacking, describing the prolonged premise as overstretched and occasionally tedious. User reactions range from appreciation of its originality to frustration with its slow development. Ultimately, Relaxer’s unique vision is compelling yet demands patience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    Relaxer’s art and craft thrive on focused direction and inventive production design. Critics highlighted the resourceful use of a single apartment setting and the gritty, 90s-inspired visual palette. The film’s editing incorporates well-timed cuts that heighten its absurdist humor, though some sequences feel repetitively paced. Overall, the execution demonstrates confident craftsmanship despite occasional uneven rhythm.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, Relaxer presents a largely one-note protagonist whose neurotic traits are both engaging and alienating. Reviews note a compelling portrayal of a desperate slacker yet observe limited growth or emotional payoff as the narrative unfolds. Users found the lead’s pettiness both humorous and wearisome without sufficient depth. The film offers an intriguing character study but lacks sustained emotional complexity.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, Relaxer’s concept is inventive yet frequently overstretched. The absurdist premise of a man locked into a Pac-Man challenge earns praise for originality and thematic weight. However, the deliberate pacing undermines engagement, and several viewers felt the central conflict failed to reach a satisfying resolution. While the narrative holds conceptual interest, its extended structure can hinder sustained momentum and payoff.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Relaxer delivers a strong sensory experience through its immersive sound design and cohesive visual style. Critics point to the dingy, grunge-laden atmosphere and period-accurate details that evoke a late-90s urban setting. The sparse soundtrack punctuates moments of tension, and the production design effectively communicates claustrophobia. Although a few editing choices can feel repetitive, the overall sensory layering reinforces the film’s darkly comedic tone.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Regarding rewatch factor, Relaxer offers memorable moments but limited replay appeal. The film’s quirky premise and offbeat humor make the initial viewing striking and unforgettable. Yet its slow pacing and narrow focus may deter audiences from returning for subsequent watches. A subset of viewers appreciate its thematic depth on repeat exposures, but for most, Relaxer remains a unique one-time experience rather than a frequent revisit.

Box office

Relaxer Box Office & Budget

Relaxer grossed $6,133 worldwide on a $75,000 budget, 8% of what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$6.1K

8% of its budget back

US & Canada
$6.1K
Budget
$75K
Videos

Relaxer Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Relaxer.

Relaxer - Official Trailer - Oscilloscope Laboratories HD
Details

Relaxer Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “Релаксер” and “放松之人”.

Also known as
  • Релаксер
  • 放松之人
  • 廢宅人生

Seen Relaxer?

FAQ

Relaxer FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Relaxer, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Relaxer?

Relaxer runs 1 hour 31 minutes (91 minutes).

When was Relaxer released?

Relaxer was released on March 22, 2019.

Who directed Relaxer?

Relaxer was directed by Joel Potrykus.

More films by Joel Potrykus

Who is in the cast of Relaxer?

Relaxer stars David Dastmalchian as Cam, Joe Anderson as Brad Matuzak and Andre Hyland as Dallas, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Relaxer make at the box office?

Relaxer grossed $6,133 worldwide on a budget of $75,000.

How is Relaxer rated?

Relaxer has 6.0/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Does Relaxer have a post-credit scene?

No. Relaxer has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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