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Idiocracy

Idiocracy is a 2006 American science fiction comedy film directed by Mike Judge.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Idiocracy is a 2006 American science fiction comedy film directed by Mike Judge. The film follows two people who awaken 500 years in the future and find themselves in a severely anti-intellectual society, where they are the smartest people alive.

Plot

Joe Bauers, an average U.S. Army librarian, and Rita are selected for a hibernation experiment that goes wrong. They wake up 500 years later in a future society marked by anti-intellectualism and widespread cultural decline.

Production

Idiocracy was directed by Mike Judge, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Etan Cohen. It was released in 2006 as an American science fiction comedy film.

Cast

The main cast includes Luke Wilson as Joe Bauers, Maya Rudolph as Rita, Dax Shepard as Frito Pendejo, and Terry Crews as President Camacho.

Themes

The film is a satire that comments on anti-intellectualism, consumerism, overpopulation, and social decline.

Key facts

  • The film centres on Joe Bauers and Rita, who are frozen in a government hibernation experiment and wake up in the year 2505.
  • Its premise is a satirical dystopia in which average intelligence has declined over centuries.
  • Mike Judge directed the film and co-wrote it with Etan Cohen.
  • Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph play the two central characters, Joe and Rita.
  • The film has been described as both a science fiction comedy and a social satire.
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Canadian context

Idiocracy has a notable cult following in Canada, where it is often discussed as a satire of anti-intellectualism, consumerism, and social decline that resonates beyond the United States.

Frequently asked questions

What is the movie Idiocracy about?
It follows Joe Bauers and Rita, who wake up 500 years in the future after a hibernation experiment and discover a society that has become extremely anti-intellectual and dysfunctional.
Who directed Idiocracy?
Idiocracy was directed by Mike Judge.
When was Idiocracy released?
Idiocracy was released in 2006.
Is Idiocracy a comedy?
Yes. It is generally classified as a science fiction comedy and satire.
Who stars in Idiocracy?
The main cast includes Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard, Terry Crews, David Herman, Justin Long, Andrew Wilson, and Brad Jordan.
What happened to the characters in Idiocracy?
Joe and Rita are forgotten in stasis and wake up in 2505 as the smartest people in the world. By the end, Joe becomes president, marries Rita, and the story suggests society begins to improve.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiocracy
    Supports: Basic film details, plot summary, director, release year, and cast
  2. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/19/idiocracy-a-disturbingly-prophetic-look-at-the-future-of-america-and-our-era-of-stupidity
    Supports: Director, release year, premise, and satirical themes
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/idiocracy
    Supports: Plot overview, release year, and cast