Fences

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 2016

2 hr. 13 min.

Drama

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List

92%

273 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) makes his living as a sanitation worker in 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's (Jovan Adepo) chance to meet a college football recruiter.

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Critics Consensus

From its reunited Broadway stars to its screenplay, the solidly crafted Fences finds its Pulitzer-winning source material fundamentally unchanged -- and still just as powerful.

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Ronald R

Great Movie!!!! Highly Recommended!!!! A++ 🍿🎥🍿

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

Full Review

Johannes S

I could watch Washington and Davis on the screen together for god knows how long. Their acting is OUTSTANDING and is what makes this movie so good.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/15/24

Full Review

Jeff M

Effective if overly theatrical and somewhat stagy. Washington and Davis great but Jovan Adepo best in show.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/24

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Alec C

Sometimes fences keep us in and others out, leaving us trapped with the messes that we make! A photograph of a 1950 Pittsburgh family struggling with legacy, past tragedies, and deep scars that threaten to tear it apart. With the impressionable Denzel and Viola playing husband and wife, this is a story that'll transport you back to a time long forgotten!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/23

Full Review

sam I

Watching it I almost forgot it's a movie, and not real life. Denzel and Viola are remarkable throughout. The story of a man, angry because of the things in life that beat him down. So sad, because he couldn't enjoy what he has, because of his resentments of the past. The settings were great, as it takes you back to the late 50's into the 60's with very good direction. Well done.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

Full Review

Alec B

Wilson's play is undeniably great but it's hard to capture the essence of the material in a movie. Perhaps if someone other than Washington was directing (his best efforts seems to been exhausted on his admittedly fantastic performance) this might have been a greater success. Regardless, the cast is still reason enough to see the movie.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

Full Review

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Denzel Washington

Director

Denzel Washington

Troy Maxson

Viola Davis

Rose Maxson

Stephen Henderson

Jim Bono

Jovan Adepo

Cory

Russell Hornsby

Lyons

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Fences: Official Clip - Alberta Had the Baby

2:09

Fences: Official Clip - The Best of What's In Me

2:13

Fences: Official Clip - Becoming a Man

2:08

Fences: Official Clip - Somebody's Daddy

2:12

Fences: Official Clip - Death Knocks Again

1:51

Fences: Official Clip - Sins of the Father

2:11

Fences: Official Clip - Wrestling Death

2:12

Fences: Official Clip - I Ain't Got to Like You

2:09

Fences: Official Clip - Troy's Victory

2:15

Fences: Official Clip - The Same Spot As You

2:14

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2:00

Fences: Trailer 2

2:26

Fences: Trailer 1

1:50

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Anne Thompson

indieWire

Davis went big...debuting film actor Jovan Adepo shines...

Mar 31, 2020

Full Review

Kristen Lopez

Culturess

Fences is one of the most prescient movies out now.

Nov 20, 2017

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

The performances by each of its six main characters... combined with Washington's gripping direction (inciting a mix of terror, madness, and pity), FENCES is simply extraordinary. It is not to be missed.

Rated: A+

Mar 22, 2017

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

It’s a heck of an adaptation, and Washington gives the performance his all.

Sep 6, 2023

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“Fences” is lively and vibrant yet aching and tragic. The cast’s rapport carries over beautifully from stage to screen, and their handling of August Wilson’s characters comes from an understanding far deeper that simple familiarity.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 20, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

It's impossible to watch and not be moved.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 5, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) makes his living as a sanitation worker in 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's (Jovan Adepo) chance to meet a college football recruiter.

Director: Denzel Washington
Executive Producer: Molly Allen, Eli Bush, Aaron L. Gilbert, Andrew Pollack, Dale Wells, Charles D. King, Kim Roth
Screenwriter: August Wilson
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Sony Classical, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive References|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 24, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $57.6M
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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