Falling

R

Released Feb 5, 2021

1 hr. 52 min.

Drama

LGBTQ+

TRAILER

for Falling: Trailer 1

List

67%

96 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

FALLING follows John (Viggo Mortensen) who lives with his partner, Eric (Terry Chen), and their daughter, Mónica (Gabby Velis), in California, far from the traditional rural life he left behind years ago, while his conservative father, Willis (Lance Henriksen), lives alone on the isolated farm where John grew up. In the early stages of dementia, Willis is brought to John's California home to help him relocate. Unfortunately, their best intentions ultimately run up against Willis's adamant refusal to change his way of life in the slightest.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Aug 08

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Falling on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

As messy and complex as the relationship at its center, Falling's repetitive nature can be taxing, but its heart is clearly in the right place.

Read Critics Reviews

Kyle M

Viggo Mortensen decently practiced in his ambitious debut with full command craftsmanship, benefitting from performative elevation but overall doesn't strongly show nor connect in disjointed, unbalanced fashions with intangible resolves. (B-)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/11/24

Full Review

Cinephemeride

For his first production, Viggo Mortensen offers us a film about the difficult relationships between a conservative and authoritarian father and a son full of love despite a difficult youth. A good little film that sometimes lacks rhythm a little. Special mention to the great Lance Henriksen

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/22/23

Full Review

F A

Viggo's directorial debut is a success. Superb casting and strong performances all around. The plot revolves around an aging patriarch's dementia taking its toll on two different generations. As a viewer it becomes hard to watch these adult children continue to accept the abusive (sexist, homophobic) behaviour he doles out rather than become estranged from the old man. His abrasive responses match the unforgivable personality traits consistently exhibited as his life unfolds on screen. The portrayals are convincing; dialogue is very strong and flashbacks help fill in the plot. Scenery shot in northern Ontario (posing as New York State) is beautiful. Great to see cameos by Canadians David Cronenberg and Paul Gross.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/05/23

Full Review

Bill N

Dont let the subject matter deter you, it is very well done...a new gem classic:-)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

john s

FLAT As a cantankerous old codger spitting and vinegaring outrage whilst wrestling dementia, Lance Henriksen is an incendiary tour de force. Award ready material, this. Turns out the crusty old coot has been cantankerously codgering all his despicable life. The illness may have lifted a filter, but it seems the nasty was there all along. There are absolutely no redeeming qualities to hang on to here, just that he lived a life, and others were involved. Harumph. Sadly the victims of this patriarchal rage are all one dimensional, turning this into a black and white, him vs. them, wrong vs. right, lesson watch that is spelled out early on, and repeatedly hammered home for the duration. Viggo Mortensen's directorial debut does reach for the moon, introducing heady topics, some juicy characters, and much hope for a moving movie. As the much berated son of an old fashioned gun-toting 'merican, Viggo writes himself into a homosexual relationship with a tattooed Asian nurse. Wow. Let the fireworks begin! Sadly, they do not. Just a one way vile spew from the old man, with nothing but sad, all-knowing, head-shaking looks from the other side. The surrounding, extended family seem perfect, totally supportive of each other, and doing their goldarned best of the situation. They don't seem to have any problems or issues of their own. Everything and everyone in this movie exists solely as a reaction to the old man. And worst of all, they are boring. How can this be? It looks good. The performances are fine. The story has plenty of opportunity to get rolling. But apart from one spark of a fiery scene that quickly fizzles, it just sits there, stuck in neutral. There's character study, and then there's missed opportunity. Viggo is a smart dude, and he's sure to figure this director-writer thing out. Till next time. - hipCRANK

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Viggo Mortensen dimostra un'ottima abilità anche come regista; crea un film intimo e toccante. Il suo personaggio è molto originale oltre che interpretato alla perfezione; purtroppo tutto quello che gli gira intorno non è così riuscito. Specialmente la trama non offre grandi spunti, ricordando per buoni tratti quel meraviglioso "Nebraska" con cui spartisce diversi elementi. I dialoghi funzionano e sono credibili, non molto vari nella sostanza vista la continua volgarità della figura "paterna". Con una trama più originale, il talento di Mortensen potrebbe esplodere anche alla regia.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Viggo Mortensen

Director

Viggo Mortensen

John Peterson

Lance Henriksen

Willis

Laura Linney

Sarah

Sverrir Gudnason

Young Willis

Hannah Gross

Gwen

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

95%

92%

Hundreds of Beavers

TRAILER

for Hundreds of Beavers

67%

27%

The Stranger

TRAILER

for The Stranger

50%

92%

The Stolen Valley

TRAILER

for The Stolen Valley

93%

95%

Dune: Part Two

TRAILER

for Dune: Part Two

71%

60%

Immaculate

TRAILER

for Immaculate

82%

75%

In the Land of Saints and Sinners

TRAILER

for In the Land of Saints and Sinners

69%

87%

Sweet Dreams

TRAILER

for Sweet Dreams

56%

84%

DogMan

TRAILER

for DogMan

%

39%

Jimmy Carr: Natural Born Killer

%

%

An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th

TRAILER

for An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Falling: Trailer 1

1:42

Falling: Trailer 1

0:49

View more videos

View more photos

Rex Reed

Observer

The strength, patience and universal need to forgive and bridge generational gaps Mr. Mortensen is aiming for have a devastating effect.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 11, 2021

Full Review

Adam Graham

Detroit News

It's a bold approach, but too often "Falling" comes off just as incorrigible as its lead character.

Rated: C-

Feb 11, 2021

Full Review

Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It's beautifully done and intense with some very dramatic scenes.

Feb 6, 2021

Full Review

Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

The lackluster filmmaking is one underwhelming element, but the screenplay is another level of dreadful.

Rated: 2/10

Jun 5, 2022

Full Review

Victoria Luxford

City AM

Falling is a simple story, told by a strong cast that make you feel for their predicament. However, a repetitive nature makes it indistinguishable from the raft of independent movies on the same subject.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 28, 2022

Full Review

Matt Lynch

In Review Online

Mortensen, in his first effort behind the camera, proves to be an unflashy director, and that's fine for his simple goals.

Jun 6, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

FALLING follows John (Viggo Mortensen) who lives with his partner, Eric (Terry Chen), and their daughter, Mónica (Gabby Velis), in California, far from the traditional rural life he left behind years ago, while his conservative father, Willis (Lance Henriksen), lives alone on the isolated farm where John grew up. In the early stages of dementia, Willis is brought to John's California home to help him relocate. Unfortunately, their best intentions ultimately run up against Willis's adamant refusal to change his way of life in the slightest.

Director: Viggo Mortensen
Executive Producer: Ethan Lazar, Peter Touche, Philip Waley
Screenwriter: Viggo Mortensen
Distributor: Perceval Pictures
Production Co: Ingenious Media, Zephyr Films, Perceval Pictures, Scythia Films, Baral Waley Productions , Achille Productions
Rating: R (Crude Sexual References|Brief Sexuality|Language Throughout|Nudity|Offensive Slurs)
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 5, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2021
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now