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Five Feet Apart

Play trailer 2:29 Poster for Five Feet Apart PG-13 2019 1h 56m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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52% Tomatometer 130 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Seventeen-year-old Stella spends most of her time in the hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. Her life is full of routines, boundaries and self-control -- all of which get put to the test when she meets Will, an impossibly charming teen who has the same illness. There's an instant flirtation, though restrictions dictate that they must maintain a safe distance between them. As their connection intensifies, so does the temptation to throw the rules out the window and embrace that attraction.
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Five Feet Apart

Five Feet Apart

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Critics Consensus

Elevated considerably by Haley Lu Richardson's performance but bogged down by clichés, Five Feet Apart doesn't tug at the heartstrings quite as deftly as it should.

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Critics Reviews

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Clarisse Loughrey Independent (UK) 12/10/2020
3/5
There's a sincerity here that undoes many of its excesses, thanks largely to the grounded chemistry of its leads. Go to Full Review
Christy Lemire FilmWeek (LAist) 09/23/2019
There's a million books like this and a million movies like this, where people are beautiful -- but they're sick! Go to Full Review
Stephen Romei The Australian 04/05/2019
4/5
The plot is believable - right up to the heart-in-the-mouth turns near the end - and the dialogue sounds real. That is a good start in any movie, but in this case it powers on from there because of the A-grade performances of the two young leads. Go to Full Review
Calum Cooper Source (Scotland) 07/14/2024
2/5
There’s some quality production design, and the occasional amiable scene. But as a whole, the movie is dull and saccharine, despite the efforts of its magnetic lead actors. Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/20/2022
3/5
But that ending. It doesn’t quite kill the good that comes before it, but it comes mighty close. Go to Full Review
M.N. Miller Ready Steady Cut 08/18/2022
2.5/5
Five Feet Apart suffers from the same clichés as most of the decade’s YA romantic dramas while having to stomach the manipulation of trivializing an illness that can be terminal. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Nancy B 3d LOVED THIS MOVIE. VERY TOUCHING . See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Dec 1 "5 Feet Apart" is an emotionally charged film that really leans into the delicate and tender romance between its two leads, Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson. The story follows their characters as they navigate life in the hospital while managing serious illnesses, all while developing a deep connection. The central tension—having to stay physically five feet apart due to their conditions—drives both the plot and the emotional stakes, giving the romance a sense of urgency and poignancy that resonates throughout the film. The performances are heartfelt. Sprouse and Richardson genuinely sell the vulnerability, fear, and hope of their characters, creating a connection that feels authentic and grounded despite the highly emotional premise. Their chemistry makes the audience root for their love to flourish, and many of the film’s quieter, tender moments land with real impact. Critics were generally mixed on the film, but I’d argue it deserves more respect than it’s received. The screenplay has some flaws—predictable beats here and there—but overall, it successfully builds a genuine, touching story about young love, resilience, and the will to cherish life even under difficult circumstances. The narrative is straightforward, but that simplicity allows the emotion to take center stage. Director Justin Baldoni deserves credit for translating the source material effectively to the screen. He maintains a careful balance between the romance, the medical drama, and the emotional weight of the story. His choices in pacing, framing, and tone ensure that the audience remains engaged and invested in both the characters and their journey. What makes "5 Feet Apart" memorable isn’t just the romance, but also the film’s ability to handle themes of illness, mortality, and connection without tipping into melodrama. It’s poignant, heartfelt, and often moving in ways that stick with you after the credits roll. Ultimately, "5 Feet Apart" is a touching, well-acted, and emotionally compelling film. While not perfect, it succeeds in creating a genuine love story within the confines of its premise, and it’s far more enjoyable and heartfelt than some critics might suggest. It’s worth watching for anyone looking for an emotionally resonant romance. See more Lezleigh W. Nov 30 Gut wrenching perfection. 10/10 100% cried! See more Noel L Nov 25 Wow, this movie tugs on every feeling you could have. What a story and what performance by every actor/actress See more Alondra H Oct 2 IT IS A ROMANTIC AND HEARTWARMING STORY, IT TALKS ABOUT THE VALUE OF LIFE AND SEIZING EVERY MOMENT. IT MAKES YOU REFLECT ON WHAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED, HUMAN CONTACT, A HUG, A KISS. IT HAS SAD MOMENTS BUT ALSO VERY TENDER ONES See more Sophie M Sep 30 Loved this, deeply sad throughout, especially the ending but felt it was a really beautiful story for such a tragic subject matter. The lead actors had such lovely chemistry,such subtle and beautiful performance by the two of them. Highly recommend, pack your tissues! See more Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Seventeen-year-old Stella spends most of her time in the hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. Her life is full of routines, boundaries and self-control -- all of which get put to the test when she meets Will, an impossibly charming teen who has the same illness. There's an instant flirtation, though restrictions dictate that they must maintain a safe distance between them. As their connection intensifies, so does the temptation to throw the rules out the window and embrace that attraction.
Director
Justin Baldoni
Producer
Cathy Schulman, Justin Baldoni
Screenwriter
Mikki Daughtry, Tobias Iaconis
Distributor
CBS Films, Lionsgate Films
Production Co
CBS Films, Wayfarer Studios, Welle Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Suggestive Material|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Romance, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 15, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 24, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA)
$45.7M
Runtime
1h 56m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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