Puzzle

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2:08

Puzzle

R

2018

1h 43m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

133 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

A woman who has a talent for assembling jigsaw puzzles sneaks away from her suburban town and goes to New York City, where she partners with a man for a puzzle tournament in Atlantic City. As she experiences independence for the first time, she begins to view her value and the pieces of her own life in a whole new light.

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Critics Consensus

Puzzle transcends its quirky premise with honest emotion -- and Kelly Macdonald, whose nicely understated performance proves she's too often underutilized.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

In case you were wondering, the jigsaw puzzles are a metaphor for the wife's identity.

Mar 20, 2020

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Always strong in supporting roles, Macdonald achieves her own mid-career breakthrough with a fascinatingly complex lead performance that pitches natural inhibition against a growing inner confidence.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 18, 2018

Full Review

Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

What's to dislike here? Hardly anything - it's finding things actively to like that poses more of a problem.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 6, 2018

Full Review

Nyle Coleman

InSession Film

Puzzle is too messy and patchy in its storytelling to recommend.

Rated: C-

May 9, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

This performance, arguably the best in Macdonald's career, is masterful and elevates the modest pleasures of the film.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 11, 2022

Full Review

Fletcher Powell

KMUW - Wichita Public Radio

The movie takes a few shortcuts that make for some abrupt plot points, but it hardly matters given Macdonald's performance.

Feb 9, 2021

Full Review

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Audience Member

The music, directing and acting in this film are all fantastic. It’s mesmerising, one of those movies that leaves you pondering life long after you’ve watched it. Hauntingly beautiful.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

Full Review

Chatgirl R

Beautiful movie. I love Kelly McDonald. She can do roles that communicate the essence of life. It’s real, painful and you can change what you don’t like. Absolutely loved it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/25

Full Review

eyeof h

Loved it...it's slow and rich and layered. This is more a play than a movie and MacDonald gives a stand out performance ... she does nuance in spades and this movie (play) is all about nuance. The framing, the cinematography, the melancholic music, the lighting, even the jaded decor of their house...her parents house..it's all packed with allegory. The subtle subtext of hope and potential for self-actualization is the real puzzle Give this movie time.. and attention..it deserves it but if you don't get it, that's on you

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/12/25

Full Review

Steve S

Probably the worst film I've ever watched, dreary boring and slow i'd have more excitement in a confessional box! A film about jigsaw puzzlers, desperate or what!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

Full Review

Joel D

Great acting. Mediocre to bad storyline. Melancholic souless selfish ending that pokes a jibe at sacrifices of father/mother hood.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

12/01/24

Full Review

Kevin L

Kelly McDonald is criminally underappreciated and under-employed. She's a fantastic actress. Irrfan Khan gives a fine performance as well in this smart, well-directed movie. 3.3 stars

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/21/23

Full Review

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Marc Turtletaub

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Puzzle: Trailer 1

2:08

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Synopsis

A woman who has a talent for assembling jigsaw puzzles sneaks away from her suburban town and goes to New York City, where she partners with a man for a puzzle tournament in Atlantic City. As she experiences independence for the first time, she begins to view her value and the pieces of her own life in a whole new light.

Director: Marc Turtletaub
Producer: Wren Arthur, Marc Turtletaub, Guy Stodel, Peter Saraf
Screenwriter: Polly Mann, Oren Moverman
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Big Beach, Olive Productions
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 27, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.0M
Runtime: 1h 43m

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