The Discovery

Play trailer

1:35

The Discovery

2017

1h 50m

Romance

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

Watch on Netflix

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Full Review

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

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

Read all reviews

Esai N

…I expected much more from this movie as it was touted as being a Sundance movie but I was disappointed with the plot and the poor acting, especially from Rooney and Jason. Absolutely no chemistry there. Sad 😞

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

Full Review

Phillip D

Charlie McDowell seems to only score. I’m a fan. Total mind F. I was hooked the whole time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Charlie McDowell

Director

Rooney Mara

Isla

Jason Segel

Will

Robert Redford

Thomas Harbor

Jesse Plemons

Toby

Riley Keough

Lacy

The Adjustment Bureau

72%

67%

The Adjustment Bureau

Watchlist

Vanishing Waves

70%

51%

Vanishing Waves

Watchlist

Solaris

66%

59%

Solaris

Watchlist

Code 46

51%

58%

Code 46

Watchlist

Awake

22%

26%

Awake

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Awake

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Discovery: Trailer 1

1:35

The Discovery: Teaser Trailer 1

1:28

View more videos

View more photos

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: Endgame Entertainment, Netflix, Verisimilitude
Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2017
Runtime: 1h 50m

Most Popular at Home Now