Fences

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2:26

Fences

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 2016

2h 13m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

271 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

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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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

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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

Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

“Fences,” directed by Denzel Washington, is one of the finest and most seamless examples of the power of performance being translated from the stage to the screen.

Rated: 5/5

Oct 13, 2024

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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Cameron H

A long movie to be set in pretty much one location throughout, but there were great emotional moments and superb acting from Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

Full Review

Will G

A fantastic film. Did well at the Academy Awards. Denzel Washington is a great actor. Viola Davis won best actress for this film. It is about a family that lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/22/25

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Audience Member

I enjoyed the movie, the story of average lower middle class family in US...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/18/25

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is a masterpiece of theatre's and cinema. Denzel Washington's commitment and Viola Davis' acting make this movie an absolute must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

E4123

Fences does an excellent job depicting an accurate picture of how life might have been like then for a low class family with a father too serious about roles and responsibility.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

Full Review

Darragh W

Probably one of the best acted movies I have ever seen. Denzel is fantastic as he always is, but Viola managed to steal every scene she was in.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

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

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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Fences: Trailer 2

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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
Producer: Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington, Todd Black
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
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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