The Discovery

2017

1 hr. 50 min.

Romance

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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List

46%

63 Reviews

Tomatometer

43%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Netflix

Watch The Discovery with a subscription on Netflix.

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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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Brad I

A cerebral movies for those of who enjoy an alternative to spoon-fed plots with predictable endings. Well written, directed, cast with a sublime pace and a ….. ending.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

Full Review

Amy T

Moody and heart-achy. I loved this movie. It's not a "feel good" movie, but if you'd like to walk away having felt something deeper, maybe even a little sad, watch it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/24/23

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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Code 46

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Awake

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The Discovery: Trailer 1

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The Discovery: Teaser Trailer 1

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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Leigh Monson

Substream Magazine

A film for philosophers, a thought experiment that puts the viewer into a mode of extreme introspection and self-discovery.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 24, 2020

Full Review

Dan Scully

Cinema76

The Discovery never reaches the heights of its influences, dancing around a heady sci-fi device without really digging as deep as it could or being as entertaining as its pedigree would indicate.

Apr 15, 2020

Full Review

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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
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

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