Polyester
Polyester Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 13, 2026
Movie Overview: Polyester
| Movie | Polyester |
| Release Year | 1981 |
| Director | John Waters |
| Genre | Comedy / Drama |
| Runtime | 86 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Polyester (1981) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Polyester are led by Divine . The supporting cast, including Tab Hunter and Edith Massey , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Polyester stands out as a strong entry in the Comedy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Comedy narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Polyester has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Polyester
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1981, Polyester is a Comedy, Drama film directed by John Waters. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Divine.
Ending Explained: Polyester
Polyester Ending Explained: Directed by John Waters, Polyester resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Divine. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Polyester reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Polyester?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Divine or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Polyester
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $300.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Polyester Budget
The estimated production budget for Polyester is $300.0K. 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.
Top Cast: Polyester
All Cast & Crew →











Where to Watch Polyester Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomePolyester Parents Guide & Age Rating
1981 AdvisoryWondering about Polyester age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Polyester is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Polyester is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1981 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polyester worth watching?
Polyester is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Polyester parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Polyester identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Polyester?
The total duration of Polyester is 86 minutes, which is approximately 1h 26m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Polyester
How Polyester Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Polyester
Remember the sensation that was "Smellyvision"? Well armed with a card which had ten different smells concealed under some silver foil spots, we set off to watch the escapades of the "Fishpaw" family. Divine is on good form as "Francine", the much put upon wife of serial womaniser "Elmer" (David Sampson) and mother to "Lulu" (Mary Garlington) and her wayward brother "Dexter" (Ken King). Her well-to-do suburban life all starts to come crashing down when her husband's soft-porn cinema attracts some local attention - of the wrong sort; the daughter manages to become pregnant with the help of a local thug and the son, well he has a rather weird foot-fetish that involves stamping heavily on any feet that take his fancy. It's all going pear shaped marvellously well for her until the hunky and charming "Todd" (Tab Hunter) offers her a dreamboat opportunity to escape the tortures of her family life. It's great fun, this - the characterisations are no deeper than a puddle but the pace at which John Waters keeps the mayhem and mischief coming thick and fast with plenty of humour that is entertaining, though admittedly a bit puerile and basic at times, manages to parody effectively quite a few more serious American comedy films made in the late 1970s. It's short, sweet and well worth a gander if you have 90 minutes and you even get on-screen instructions as when to scratch and sniff!!
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.










