The Father

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The Father

PG-13

Released Feb 26, 2021

1h 37m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

98%

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297 Reviews

92%

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2,500+ Ratings

Anthony (Academy Award Winner, Anthony Hopkins) is 80, mischievous, living defiantly alone and rejecting the carers that his daughter, Anne (Academy Award and Golden Globe Winner, Olivia Colman), encouragingly introduces. Yet help is also becoming a necessity for Anne; she can't make daily visits anymore and Anthony's grip on reality is unraveling. As we experience the ebb and flow of his memory, how much of his own identity and past can Anthony cling to? How does Anne cope as she grieves the loss of her father, while he still lives and breathes before her? THE FATHER warmly embraces real life, through loving reflection upon the vibrant human condition; heart-breaking and uncompromisingly poignant -- a movie that nestles in the truth of our own lives.

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Critics Consensus

Led by stellar performances and artfully helmed by writer-director Florian Zeller, The Father presents a devastatingly empathetic portrayal of dementia.

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Audience Says

With Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman delivering some of the best work of their careers, The Father does a heartbreakingly effective job of realistically depicting dementia.

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Anupama Chopra

Film Companion

The film seamlessly blends genuine fear with overwhelming sadness.

Sep 4, 2021

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

[Anthony Hopkins] is absolutely remarkable here. I read the screenplay, available online, out of curiosity, and what he brings to the words on the page is beyond and beyond and beyond. Hopkins has played King Lear (twice) but this is his real King Lear.

Jul 29, 2021

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Esther Zuckerman

Thrillist

The way Zeller and his production designer Peter Francis orchestrate these changes are almost imperceptible, but nevertheless disorienting and utterly crucial to the narrative.

Jul 29, 2021

Full Review

Francesca Steele

iNews.co.uk

It is a very physical performance: unflinching, dazzling and one so mesmerisingly upsetting that I never want to watch it again.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 10, 2024

Full Review

Denise Pieniazek

Puesta en Escena (AR)

A psychological drama that has the originality of narrating the action from the point of view of an older man, through which the viewer must discover if he suffers from some type of senile dementia, or if it is his environment who wants harm him.

Rated: 9/10

Aug 16, 2024

Full Review

Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Trigger warning: do not watch “The Father” (2020) if you are unprepared to be completely gutted and devastated. Side effects may include life altering change in perspective and emerging fear of aging in the US.

Jun 3, 2024

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Gretchen S

This is one of those movies that just hits you at the right moment of your life. It is the Inside Out of the opposite generation, where are you suddenly gain insight into a completely different perspective than anything youve ever imagined.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/15/21

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Bob B

Very good movie. Very realistic. Helluva performance by Anthony Hopkins!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/26/21

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JAndre'

It was a "different" movie, something that if you just allow it to unfold you will understand it as it comes to a close. It was very real life, as to how a family and caregiver try to give the best care as they can, yet, the patient doesn't really understand the why or how of it all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/21

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DARLENE

This movie was not interesting nor could we follow the plot.It was slow and boring. I hate to give a poor rating to any movie, but we did not care for it at all. We left after about 40 minutes - we were falling asleep:( And, my husband and I were the only two in the theater.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/17/21

Full Review

david o

it was very touching and thoughtful, plus caring, it's hell to get old and feeling so helpless.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/10/21

Full Review

Kenneth

I see why Anthony won the Oscar.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/11/21

Full Review

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Florian Zeller

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony

Olivia Colman

Anne

Mark Gatiss

The Man

Imogen Poots

Laura

Rufus Sewell

Paul

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The Father: Trailer 1

2:07

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Synopsis

Anthony (Academy Award Winner, Anthony Hopkins) is 80, mischievous, living defiantly alone and rejecting the carers that his daughter, Anne (Academy Award and Golden Globe Winner, Olivia Colman), encouragingly introduces. Yet help is also becoming a necessity for Anne; she can't make daily visits anymore and Anthony's grip on reality is unraveling. As we experience the ebb and flow of his memory, how much of his own identity and past can Anthony cling to? How does Anne cope as she grieves the loss of her father, while he still lives and breathes before her? THE FATHER warmly embraces real life, through loving reflection upon the vibrant human condition; heart-breaking and uncompromisingly poignant -- a movie that nestles in the truth of our own lives.

Director: Florian Zeller
Producer: Jean-Louis Livi, Philippe Carcassonne, David Parfitt, Christophe Spadone, Simon Friend, Victor Livi
Screenwriter: Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Les films du cru, F Comme Film, Trademark Films, Cine@, Film 4
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.1M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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