The Public

PG-13

Released Apr 5, 2019

1 hr. 59 min.

Drama

TRAILER

for The Public: Trailer 1

List

66%

99 Reviews

Tomatometer

78%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Jul 04

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent The Public on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Critics Consensus

Its intentions are sometimes easier to appreciate than its execution, but The Public remains an earnest and reasonably engaging social advocacy drama.

Read Critics Reviews

Andy B

Love this movie so much on so many levels... a truly 'feel good' i have watched more than once.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/05/23

Full Review

Serge L

Film from the United States on the problem of homelessness in winter weather. Everything is very human and warm even among the bad guys.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/05/22

Full Review

deke p

"MESSage" movie guilt trips reluctance to open public buildings, libraries, to 'house the homeless". The final scenes is emblematic of the side that thinks that makes sense and would be good for anyone. Saw it in theater when it came out. It's on the TV set again Tues 4.5.22 on ch34.3. The 'BOUNCE Channel'

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's a good story played out everyday in different forms. The plight of the homeless and disadvantaged is eternal.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was an excellent representation of the homeless community, and the fact that they are people who are worthy to be loved and heard. It was also nice to see Estevez and Slater in a movie again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

sharlonda w

An interesting topic but the execution is flat and mundane.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Emilio Estevez

Director

Alec Baldwin

Detective Bill Ramstead

Emilio Estevez

Stuart Goodson

Jena Malone

Myra

Taylor Schilling

Angela

Christian Slater

Josh Davis

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

81%

65%

The Sisterhood of Night

94%

76%

Rosie

TRAILER

for Rosie

67%

45%

The Vessel

12%

33%

Aardvark

TRAILER

for Aardvark

94%

72%

Wildlife

TRAILER

for Wildlife

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Shazam! Is Certified Fresh

The Public: Trailer 1

2:31

View more videos

View more photos

Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It's heart is in the right place in many ways, but it just outlines everything so clearly in red marker that it doesn't let you discovers things for yourself. Still, it's an estimable effort in some ways.

Sep 15, 2020

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

That everything ends on a weird happy-clappy high is indicative of a scattershot project that could have done with less ambition, more focus.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 24, 2020

Full Review

Linda Marric

The Jewish Chronicle

The Public presents a heartening story of triumph of good over evil, but sadly lacks the gravitas one would usually expect from these types of stories.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 21, 2020

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

When you combine The Public’s penchant for cheap sentiment and its social advocacy message, you get the equivalent of cinematic social conscience fluffernutter that is spread too thin.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 18, 2022

Full Review

Greg Wetherall

NME (New Musical Express)

Emilio Estevez tackles blinkered bureaucrats in this high-minded social advocacy drama.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 14, 2021

Full Review

Joanne Laurier

World Socialist Web Site

Somewhat light-hearted in its tone, The Publicis clearly a labor of love for its extraordinary cast.

Feb 10, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.

Director: Emilio Estevez
Screenwriter: Emilio Estevez
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Nudity|Language|Some Suggestive Content|Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $571.2K
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now