Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

The Discovery

2017 1h 50m Romance Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller TRAILER for List
48% Tomatometer 65 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

Where to Watch

The Discovery

The Discovery

What to Know

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

Critics Reviews

View All (65) 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

Audience Reviews

View All (161) audience reviews
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 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 Read all reviews
The Discovery

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

The Adjustment Bureau 72% 67% The Adjustment Bureau Vanishing Waves 70% 51% Vanishing Waves Solaris 66% 59% Solaris Code 46 52% 58% Code 46 Awake 24% 26% Awake TRAILER for Awake Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
Most Popular at Home Now