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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 American black comedy film adapted from Hunter S.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1998 American black comedy film adapted from Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 book of the same name. Directed by Terry Gilliam, it stars Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro as Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo during a drug-fuelled trip to Las Vegas. The film is based on Thompson’s novel, a key work of gonzo journalism.

Plot

The film follows Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo as they travel to Las Vegas for a journalistic assignment that quickly turns into a chaotic, drug-fuelled journey. Their experiences in the city form the core of the story.

Production

The film was directed and co-written by Terry Gilliam and adapted from Thompson’s novel. It was released in 1998 and features Johnny Depp and Benicio del Toro in the lead roles.

Source material

The film is adapted from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, a 1971 book by Hunter S. Thompson. The book is widely associated with gonzo journalism and is presented as a roman à clef with autobiographical elements.

Reception and significance

The work is best known as a cult film adaptation of Thompson’s most famous book. Its style and performances have made it a recognizable part of late-1990s American cinema.

Key facts

  • The film is based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
  • It was co-written and directed by Terry Gilliam.
  • Johnny Depp plays Raoul Duke, and Benicio del Toro plays Dr. Gonzo.
  • The story follows two men on a trip to Las Vegas that becomes a psychedelic, drug-induced experience.
  • The film was released in 1998.
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Canadian context

The film is part of internationally distributed American cinema and is also relevant to Canadian readers as an adaptation of a major work of 20th-century North American literature.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas a book or a film?
It is both: the title refers to Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 book and the 1998 film adaptation directed by Terry Gilliam.
Who directed the film?
Terry Gilliam directed the 1998 film and co-wrote the screenplay.
Who stars in the movie?
Johnny Depp stars as Raoul Duke, and Benicio del Toro stars as Dr. Gonzo.
What is the film about?
It follows two men in Las Vegas whose journalistic trip becomes a surreal, drug-influenced descent into chaos.
What is the original source material?
The film is based on Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_and_Loathing_in_Las_Vegas_(film)
    Supports: Film title, year, director, cast, and premise
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fear-and-Loathing-in-Las-Vegas-by-Thompson
    Supports: Novel title, authorship, and publication date
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_and_Loathing_in_Las_Vegas
    Supports: Novel background, genre, and title context
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120669/
    Supports: 1998 release year and basic film identification
  5. The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/guide-to-the-classics-fear-and-loathing-in-las-vegas-68734
    Supports: Novel’s semi-autobiographical basis and Las Vegas trip context