Manchester by the Sea

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Manchester by the Sea

R

Released Dec 16, 2016

2h 17m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

357 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After the death of his older brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked that Joe has made him sole guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick. Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi (Michelle Williams), and the community where he was born and raised.

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Critics Consensus

Manchester by the Sea delivers affecting drama populated by full-bodied characters, marking another strong step forward for writer-director Kenneth Lonergan.

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K. Austin Collins

The Ringer

In Manchester by the Sea, Kenneth Lonergan again explores the depth of grief.

Aug 10, 2017

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan's MANCHESTER BY THE SEA made me leave the theater feeling empty... it could easily be filed away as just another white male angst narrative.

Rated: C+

Mar 22, 2017

Full Review

Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

Manchester by the Sea may be a potent examination of grief, family and self-imposed solitude, but it's also oddly life-affirming and uplifting.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 31, 2017

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The most praiseworthy character-driven films have the patience to cultivate its truths with substance and the wisdom to never give you everything.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 20, 2025

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Manchester By the Sea may be a somber and dour experience, but it’s one full of hope that people can survive grief.

Rated: A

Aug 8, 2024

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Demitra Kampakis

Vague Visages

Lonergan interrogates the realities of grief with sober restraint.

Dec 12, 2023

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Steven M.

My favorite movie of that year! Simply splendid. The acting and directing and writing are beautiful. My pick for Best Picture over Moonlight.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/21

Full Review

Katie D

Perfect movie for a gray day! This film feels a little long and the editing/cinematography could use some work, but the acting is award-worthy! It is definitely Casey Affleck's best work and also a wonderful performance by Lucas Hedges!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/15/21

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Matheus F

A solid script with so many phases of melancholia. This movie is full of profound performances, especially Casey Affleck portraying Lee Chandler and Michelle Williams portraying Randi.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/25

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Aaron D

Entertaining and interesting, the movie ended with me wondering, 'what was the point?'

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

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Phillip M

The painful gut punch coming midway is a stroke of genius. Although slow in its build up, it works because you have the sense of a great tragedy to come, something that will explain the main character's choices. When the reveal does come, your guts ache and you take a breath. Beyond the reveal is a study of trying to deal with real life whilst carrying enormous pain, the mundane being interrupted constantly by the horrors of the past. An excellent film. Great visuals, dialogue and script, all well delivered.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

naomi b

the best film i've ever seen. a work of art

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

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Kenneth Lonergan

Director

Casey Affleck

Lee Chandler

Michelle Williams

Randi Chandler

Kyle Chandler

Joe Chandler

Lucas Hedges

Patrick Chandler

C.J. Wilson

George

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92%

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Manchester by the Sea: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After the death of his older brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked that Joe has made him sole guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick. Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi (Michelle Williams), and the community where he was born and raised.

Director: Kenneth Lonergan
Producer: Matt Damon, Kimberly Steward, Chris Moore, Lauren Beck, Kevin J. Walsh
Screenwriter: Kenneth Lonergan
Distributor: Amazon Studios, Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Roadside Attractions, Big Indie Pictures
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language Throughout)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $47.7M
Runtime: 2h 17m

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