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The Big Sick

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2:27

The Big Sick

R

Released Jul 14, 2017

2h 0m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

306 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Kumail is a Pakistani comic, who meets an American graduate student named Emily at one of his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms, he soon becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think of her. When Emily suddenly comes down with an illness that leaves her in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond with her deeply concerned mother and father.

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Critics Consensus

Funny, heartfelt, and intelligent, The Big Sick uses its appealing leads and cross-cultural themes to prove the standard romcom formula still has some fresh angles left to explore.

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Donald Clarke

Irish Times

What sets the film apart is an oddness that could only have sprung from real life. That and sincerity, compassion, humanity.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 7, 2017

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

After a slow start, the film gradually accumulates funny and surprising details, many of them surely drawn directly from life.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 4, 2017

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Naman Ramachandran

Sight & Sound

The film's message - that cultures are different but can coexist peacefully - is a welcome one in these riven times.

Aug 1, 2017

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The Big Sick can confidently boast a self-evident punchline that lasts for over two hours and never runs out of the funny or the surprising.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 16, 2024

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Patricia Karounos

Refinery29

Every laugh is full and genuine, and so are the (good) tears you inevitably will cry.

Oct 23, 2023

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Fletcher Powell

KMUW - Wichita Public Radio

The characters are funny, but not too funny, the stakes seem real, and you can tell that everyone really cares about each other.

May 12, 2023

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Katie D

A little slow to start but it's funny, quirky and great storytelling. I'm glad there was more highlights in the movie beyond what is in the trailer. Great performances, especially Ray Romano and Holly Hunter!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/15/21

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Audience Member

Loved the movie, it was great...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

Full Review

Jace E

The Big Sick is earnest and honest, two things that make true story screenplays so engaging. I found myself drawn to every aspect of the story and immediately jumped to Google to learn more about Kumail and Emily’s life together after I finished the film. The dialogue is poignant, the characters are real and there is a delicate balance of light-heartedness that is paired with heavy sadness. Of all the characters, I think that Emily’s parents are perfectly cast, with Ray Romano and Holly Hunter crushing their roles. While I loved most of the scenes in the movie, I was particularly charmed by every scene with them in it. Raw, funny, sad, beautiful; there are dozens of words that I could use to describe this film, which is what makes it one of my new favorites. Best Character: Beth/Terry Best Quote: “It was a tragedy, I mean we lost 19 of our best guys.” - Kumail Best Scene: The final stand up routine. (Honorable mention to when Beth gets in bed with Terry) Best Piece of Score: “Voicemail from Emily”

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

Goose R

Loosely based on Kumail and Emily courtship. Kumail is a stand up comic that is not doing all that well. He meets a white lady but he has to decide to pursue his love of his life or marry a Pakistani girl like his family is making him to. Romantic comedy with actual drama. Seriously funny which is hard to do because it has some real drama. One of my favorite movies 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿/5 on Prime

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/10/25

Full Review

Kobi A

An exceptionally enjoyable rom-com with solid performances from everyone involved. You can tell this was a passion project for Kumail and his wife, it comes across so strongly in this funny, heartfelt film. Ray Romano's voice is like butter in any movie he's in so there's that too

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/07/25

Full Review

Whistlerworld S

Beautiful drama with a lot of wit

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/09/25

Full Review

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Michael Showalter

Director

Kumail Nanjiani

Kumail

Zoe Kazan

Emily

Holly Hunter

Beth

Ray Romano

Terry

Anupam Kher

Azmat

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The Big Sick: Trailer 1

2:27

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Synopsis

Kumail is a Pakistani comic, who meets an American graduate student named Emily at one of his stand-up shows. As their relationship blossoms, he soon becomes worried about what his traditional Muslim parents will think of her. When Emily suddenly comes down with an illness that leaves her in a coma, Kumail finds himself developing a bond with her deeply concerned mother and father.

Director: Michael Showalter
Producer: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel
Screenwriter: Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani
Distributor: Amazon Studios, Lionsgate Films
Production Co: FilmNation, Apatow Films
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 14, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $42.9M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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