The Discovery

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1:35

The Discovery

2017

1h 50m

Romance

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

64 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In the near future, due to a breakthrough scientific discovery by Dr. Thomas Harbor, there is now definitive proof of an afterlife. While countless people have chosen suicide to reset their existence, others try to decide what it all means. Among them is Dr. Harbor's son Will, who has arrived at his father's isolated compound with a mysterious young woman named Isla. There, they discover the strange acolytes who help Dr. Harbor with his experiments.

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Critics Consensus

The Discovery looks fascinating on paper, but in spite of its thought-provoking premise and starry ensemble, it's a disappointing case of untapped potential.

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Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

The Discovery is a film which poses far too many questions, but with no heart to search for the answers.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 5, 2017

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Tom Huddleston

Time Out

More interested in metaphysical ponderings and so-called 'human truths' than in telling a convincing story.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 3, 2017

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David Sims

The Atlantic

The Discovery poses a fascinating existential question to its audience, but doesn't quite manage to fill in a plot around it.

Mar 31, 2017

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

It helps if you regard The Discovery as a peculiar, low-key movie, and concentrate on Redford’s screen-presence and the ending.

Rated: 3/5

Aug 9, 2024

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Jamie Healy

Radio Times

A noteworthy cast elevates this low-key sci-fi tale, which begins with the intriguing idea that life after death has been proved, with Robert Redford having made "the discovery".

Rated: 3/5

May 2, 2024

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Nathan Mattise

Ars Technica

...luckily-unlike prior Netflix original films with stars like Paul Rudd and Ellen Page-this one merits watching...

Jul 27, 2021

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Jacob B

The general critique and rating does The Discovery an injustice when viewed too narrowly. This is something I refer to others when appropriate for them. Critics lament the lack of definition and answers only to see it as failure. This is art dedicated to the question. It is exploration of belief and spiritualism that is birthed, lived and closed inside that question. I loved it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/06/24

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Jeffrey P

Dark and gloomy dystopian dreariness. The Discovery had some things to say, but it said none of them... other than reinforcing the belief that the only reason we cannot have proof of an afterlife is because suicide would become too prevalent, progress would stop, and death would win.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

08/27/24

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Richard S

I got 20 minutes in and had to turn it off. It's pretentious and pseudo-logical, with a highly simplistic take on human psychology.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/24

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Anna A

The focus on interpersonal connection between the characters rather than pandering to sci-fi intrigue was refreshing. It looped beautifully upon itself.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/24

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Sofia J

Esta película la tenía pendiente desde hace tiempo, recuerdo que la guarde porque se hizo famosa cuando salió y mucha gente hablaba sobre esta película, pero no me termino de gustar. Empieza muy bien, muy interesante, te atrapa desde el minuto uno, pero el problema es que conforme avanza la historia se vuelve más lenta y siento que no supieron aprovechar el tema tan interesante y amplio que estaban tocando. Los últimos 20 minutos son increíble, no me pude despegar de la pantalla, pero siento que pudieron abarcar mucho más, la resolución es rápida. Siento que duraron más en toda la subtrama que en lo que de verdad trataba

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/02/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Not for me. I generally like Redford a lot, so gave this a watch. Too slow, too heavy handed, too convoluted. I’m not sure I followed it entirely, but I think my mind drifted out of boredom. There might be something of merit here but I didn’t get it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/23

Full Review

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Charlie McDowell

Director

Rooney Mara

Isla

Jason Segel

Will

Robert Redford

Thomas Harbor

Jesse Plemons

Toby

Riley Keough

Lacy

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The Discovery: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the near future, due to a breakthrough scientific discovery by Dr. Thomas Harbor, there is now definitive proof of an afterlife. While countless people have chosen suicide to reset their existence, others try to decide what it all means. Among them is Dr. Harbor's son Will, who has arrived at his father's isolated compound with a mysterious young woman named Isla. There, they discover the strange acolytes who help Dr. Harbor with his experiments.

Director: Charlie McDowell
Producer: Alex Orlovsky, James D. Stern, Hunter Gray
Screenwriter: Justin Lader, Charlie McDowell
Production Co: Verisimilitude, Netflix, Endgame Entertainment
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2017
Runtime: 1h 50m

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