Demolition

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2:20

Demolition

R

Released Apr 8, 2016

1h 41m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

211 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Grieving investment banker Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) returns to work after losing his beloved wife in a tragic car accident. After writing a letter to complain about a vending machine, Mitchell receives a phone call from Karen (Naomi Watts), a customer service rep from the company. Karen becomes moved by his complete honesty, while Davis finds someone to lend a sympathetic ear. As his new friendship with Karen and her son grows, Mitchell finds the strength he needs to rebuild his life.

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Critics Consensus

Demolition benefits from a stellar cast, even if their solid work isn't always enough to prop up a confused story that aims for profundity but too often settles for clichés.

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

Who knows where his displaced emotions will take him? Who cares?

Nov 8, 2016

Full Review

Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Demolition is a cinematic deconstruction of expectation and cliché, all of which results in a moving marvel of self-actualization I think I just might be in love with.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 11, 2016

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

The story of a bereaved man who starts to dismantle household appliances and, later, buildings, the whole movie is a laboured metaphor: we get it, he's falling apart.

Rated: 2/5

May 1, 2016

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

It benefits from a credible performance by Jake Gyllenhaal, but the drama often remains situated in a demolition zone that slowly destroys, with each iteration, the potential of its premise about grief and redemption. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

Oct 15, 2024

Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

A frustrating experience. There is a lot to appreciate about this film and it had massive potential, but like Dallas Buyer Club, Vallée wasn’t exactly sure where to take the film and it shows.

Rated: B-

Aug 1, 2024

Full Review

Jordan Brooks

Vague Visages

Neatly tied resolutions and dime-a-dozen aphorisms feel as fleeting and immaterial as a television drama, while any lasting impression must be hard-fought and pried from between the lines of the script.

Aug 1, 2023

Full Review

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Esra Y

It's so Valee and so 2010s. Movie failed to make me care for it's two center characters.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/19/25

Full Review

Ken M

It’s a beautiful movie that is pure Vallée! Sit back, suspend your judgment and immerse yourself. I think you might be surprised.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Now I understand what grief means

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/24

Full Review

Jordan Y

It's fun to watch him work through his pain by letting go and destroying everything.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/13/24

Full Review

Cody H

This movie is confusing and uninspiring. Supposed to be a comedy, which it is not. Maybe the frustration feeling when the story isn’t moving forward, is the idea of the movies writers. There are some good scenes, but the plot is falling apart and the ending doesn’t tell a thing.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/10/24

Full Review

KB B

It was a pretty entertaining film that had an odd demolition scene. Jake Gyllenhaal was excellent as usual. It's definitely worth the watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/02/24

Full Review

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Jean-Marc Vallée

Director

Jake Gyllenhaal

Davis Mitchell

Naomi Watts

Karen Moreno

Chris Cooper

Phil

Judah Lewis

Chris Moreno

C.J. Wilson

Carl

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Demolition: Trailer 2

2:20

Demolition: Trailer 1

2:12

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Synopsis

Grieving investment banker Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) returns to work after losing his beloved wife in a tragic car accident. After writing a letter to complain about a vending machine, Mitchell receives a phone call from Karen (Naomi Watts), a customer service rep from the company. Karen becomes moved by his complete honesty, while Davis finds someone to lend a sympathetic ear. As his new friendship with Karen and her son grows, Mitchell finds the strength he needs to rebuild his life.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Producer: Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Sidney Kimmel, Jean-Marc Vallée
Screenwriter: Bryan Sipe
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Mr. Mudd, Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
Rating: R (Drug Use|Disturbing Behavior|Language|Some Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 8, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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