Manchester by the Sea

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Manchester by the Sea

R

2016

2h 17m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

356 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

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Pasquale M.

Casey Affleck deserved two Oscar’s for his performance.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/15/25

Full Review

Owen M.

Great acting, incredible atmosphere This film portrays grief in such an amazing yet depressing way, as much as I wished this movie would’ve had a happy ending I believe it goes to show just how impossible it can be for some people to overcome grief and guilt. Those saying the movie had no resolution miss the point that the resolution of the films conflict is Lee saying to his nephew “I can’t beat it” showing there is no change to his internal conflict he just now knows there’s nothing he can do to beat that guilt

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

Full Review

Wolfgang M

Sorry but I do not get it at all. For me one of the most boring and depressive movies in my lifetime.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

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Jim W

Very moving and fabulous acting. The music for me was nearly too much. Almost annoying...

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

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

I, Daniel Blake

92%

85%

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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: Roadside Attractions, Amazon Studios
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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