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Causeway

Play trailer 1:50 Poster for Causeway R 2022 1h 32m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 177 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
"Causeway" is an intimate portrait of a soldier struggling to adjust to her life after returning home to New Orleans.
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Causeway

Causeway

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Critics Consensus

Causeway takes a powerfully subdued look at the lingering effects of trauma, led by gripping performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry.

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Critics Reviews

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Rex Reed Observer Year-end releases reveal a plethora of fine actors vainly trying to apply their extraordinary skills to raise the quality level of mediocre films. Jennifer Lawrence in Causeway is a perfect example. Rated: 2/4 Dec 6, 2022 Full Review Jenny Nulf Austin Chronicle Director Lila Neugebauer manages to keep the tone understated, focusing on the nuances of Lawrence and Henry’s performances that carry the weight of the heavy script. Rated: 3.5/5 Nov 15, 2022 Full Review John Wilmes Chicago Reader A dour, paint-by-numbers contemplation on trauma and dislocation unfolds, and we see two actors capable of tremendous expression stuck in a place that won’t allow it. Nov 11, 2022 Full Review Samantha Schuster Cinéfilo Serial One of those small but effective films, which takes the theme of war to delve into much more universal, human, and everyday issues, based on the well-developed characters and the solid performances of its cast. [Full Review in Spanish] Rated: 3.5/5 Sep 30, 2025 Full Review Monita Roy Mohan Women Write About Comics Causeway lacks a central theme for telling the story it wants. It tries to unpeel the layers of trauma for the characters, but with a bland leading performance, confused characterizations and generic cliché writing, the story never quite finds its voice. Aug 20, 2025 Full Review Julian Singleton Cinapse Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry’s understated yet no less devastating performances propel this quietly compelling film by Lila Neugebauer. Jul 11, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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TheMovieSearch R Causeway is a quiet, character-driven drama that relies heavily on emotion rather than spectacle, and Jennifer Lawrence gives one of her most raw, restrained performances to date. She plays a former soldier recovering from a traumatic brain injury, both physically and emotionally, as she struggles to find herself again in a world that feels unfamiliar. Lawrence captures every layer of that pain — the frustration, the loneliness, the quiet anger — with such sincerity that you can’t help but empathize with her journey. There’s an undeniable intimacy in Causeway. You feel as though you’re sitting right beside Lawrence’s character, watching her rebuild her life piece by piece. Her chemistry with Brian Tyree Henry is one of the film’s strongest aspects — the two share a subtle but powerful dynamic that reflects shared trauma and mutual understanding. Lawrence does what she does best here: she humanizes every emotion and gives you a character who’s deeply flawed, yet deeply sympathetic. That said, Causeway isn’t a film for everyone. The screenplay is slow-moving and extremely dialogue-heavy, which can sometimes test your patience. There are long stretches where not much happens beyond conversations or moments of silence, and while this adds realism, it also risks losing the audience’s engagement. It’s a film that asks you to sit in the discomfort and the stillness — something that works thematically but doesn’t always make for an entertaining watch. From a cinematic standpoint, though, it’s beautifully crafted. The tone is understated, the cinematography is clean and grounded, and the direction by Lila Neugebauer is confident enough to let the performances breathe. The film’s minimalist approach gives Jennifer Lawrence room to shine, but it also contributes to that sense of stillness that may leave some viewers wanting more movement or emotional payoff. While it might not be a film you revisit often, Causeway is still worth seeing at least once for its emotional honesty and strong performances. It’s not about grand moments or big revelations — it’s about the quiet, painful process of healing and learning to exist again. The story drags at times and could’ve benefited from a tighter script, but its heart is undeniable. In the end, Causeway feels less like a movie and more like an emotional study — one that relies on the power of subtle acting and restrained storytelling. It’s not exciting or fast-paced, but it is deeply human. Jennifer Lawrence delivers one of her most grounded performances, and for that alone, it’s worth a watch — even if it’s the kind of movie you only need to see once. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 10/22/25 Full Review Audience Member Super slow and has little character development. What a waste. It's rewarding to watch two naturalistic actors (Lawrence & Henry) collaborate. It's also a frustrating and sparse film, that never really realizes its premise about two lost strangers who heal by restoring faith in each other. I've seen this formula, but it misses its potential to be a truly original indie movie about the power of new hope and the strength of a new connection. If you need a film to put you to sleep, I highly recommend you watch this movie. It's better than melatonin. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 Full Review Murky S A really nice movie about loneliness, trauma and trying to find a connection. The first half is really brilliant, somehow in the second half I had less of a feeling of depth from the characters in the second half. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 Full Review Daryl D Slow pacing but well worth the time Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/25 Full Review Calvin T Good movie......dealing with PTSD and loneliness Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/20/25 Full Review Rosana B Excelente atuações dos protagonistas, Brian e Jennifer (que também produziu, falar de seu indescritível talento é chover no molhado, melhores atrizes dramáticas de sua geração) um filme sobre traumas, culpas, abandono parental e suas consequências. Um filme lento e reflexivo, para os apaixonados pela introspecção, ausência de atos e excesso de prólogos, mas exatamente na medida, que nos faz sentir privilegiado por novas vidas sem traumas… "Trauma esta para depressão + que cigarro para câncer". Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Causeway

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Movie Info

Synopsis "Causeway" is an intimate portrait of a soldier struggling to adjust to her life after returning home to New Orleans.
Director
Lila Neugebauer
Producer
Jennifer Lawrence, Justine Ciarrocchi
Screenwriter
Ottessa Moshfegh, Luke Goebel, Elizabeth Sanders
Distributor
A24
Production Co
Excellent Cadaver, A24, IPR.VC, IAC Films
Rating
R (Some Language|Sexual References|Drug Use)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 4, 2022, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 4, 2022
Runtime
1h 32m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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