The Vanishing of Sidney Hall

R

Released Mar 2, 2018

1 hr. 59 min.

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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List

11%

27 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

An enigmatic detective embarks on a cross-country search for a once-prominent author who's mysteriously disappeared after a string of dangerous arsons have targeted his celebrated but controversial first novel.

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Critics Consensus

There's no mystery here: The Vanishing of Sydney Hall may be nicely shot, but it is ultimately vapid and forgettable.

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The Great John A

My favourite a24 film (so far) The Vanishing Of Sidney Hall was.... Hard to watch but the way it all connected reminds me that of magnolia. Magnum Opus of young adult films I cannot recommend this film enough to a24 fans. I could not give it 5 stars due to a cliché father figure. How this has got 11% is a sin. Rank: A+

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/20/23

Full Review

Shelli

I liked the movie. I thought the story was well told. I typically lose interest in these types of( jumpy from year to year) movies, but this one- I wanted to know what was next. I loved the restaurant scene ( big fan of Kyle Chandler) they connected so perfect! Loved the realization of the fake badge, loved that he was not just a detective looking for Sidney, and I loved the chemistry they shared. I believed they were both writers, you could feel the connection and respect. Highly recommend watching it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/19/23

Full Review

Pete P

I don't understand the hate for this movie. I happened across it on HBO and I loved this movie. Maybe I liked this movie so much because there was nothing better on and this was the best thing? I thought Kyle Chandler was perfect as the seeker, sort of a seemingly omniscient good guy. I liked the restaurant scene with the Kyle Chandler character and Sidney where the one of the movie plot twists was revealed. I thought the combination of the elevator scene where Holly died intercut with the fight scene with his mother where he received the impact to his head that caused his brain injury was well done. Not sure why critics are so turned off by this movie but my wife and I loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/20/23

Full Review

Eann B

Whoa, guys, I liked this movie. What's with all the hate? I'd say it's one of my top favorites, but I have a thing for stories about struggling writers. Also, I might be biased in favor of the lead actor. It's the perfect cocktail designed for me! Sure, the non-linear narrative is something I feel compelled to emphasize when I describe the movie to someone, but I myself am not so bothered that it's there. Anyway, I'm happy this film exists. Mwah

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/13/23

Full Review

Alex P

I thought it was beautiful

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/23/22

Full Review

mara m

I found this movie by accident and am glad I did. I don't understand the critic reviews either and it makes me think that reviewers are becoming less able to take in a complex, thoughtful plot with twists and turns. It kept my attention and I wanted to see where it was going next. Very sad to be sure but it was very well done. The acting was quite brilliant and I'm glad I saw it as that's what brings me into a movie. I watch every nuance. I may not have cast Elle Fanning in the role but her acting was spot on. The only beef I have with this film is with the makeup department when it came to seeing a disheveled Sidney. You tried too hard. The hairstyling was atrocious and could have been done so much better. And Kyle Chandler just keeps getting hotter with age! Well done.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Shawn Christensen

Director

Kyle Chandler

The Searcher

Logan Lerman

Sidney Hall

Elle Fanning

Melody

Blake Jenner

Brett Newport

Nathan Lane

Harold

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Glenn Kenny

RogerEbert.com

In the unlikely event that you've ever been truly curious as to how much M.F.A.-style toxic masculinity can be packed into one motion picture, you ought to check out The Vanishing of Sidney Hall.

Rated: 0/4

Mar 2, 2018

Full Review

Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

The most passable lens through which to watch writer-director Shawn Christensen's risible indie drama "The Vanishing of Sidney Hall" is by counting the many ways it grates as both an agonized-artist pity party and a male fantasy of envied power.

Mar 1, 2018

Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

A tortured mystery dripping with pretentiousness.

Mar 1, 2018

Full Review

Dominic Griffin

Spectrum Culture

There's a lot of mysteries to solve here, but the most important one is whether or not anyone will find a worse film released in 2018.

Rated: 1/5

Jul 17, 2019

Full Review

Brent Hankins

The Lamplight Review

Directed by Shawn Christensen from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jason Dolan, The Vanishing of Sidney Hall meanders its way through an excruciating two hours, and seeing the film through to completion is like an exercise in self-flaggelation.

Rated: 3/10

Apr 9, 2019

Full Review

Sean Mulvihill

FanboyNation.com

As hard as it tries - and, oh boy, does it try - The Vanishing of Sidney Hall is a film of artistic flourishes looking for a story it has no real clue how to tell.

Rated: 1/5

Oct 30, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

An enigmatic detective embarks on a cross-country search for a once-prominent author who's mysteriously disappeared after a string of dangerous arsons have targeted his celebrated but controversial first novel.

Director: Shawn Christensen
Executive Producer: Audrey Wilf, Zygi Wilf, Logan Lerman, Shawn Christensen
Screenwriter: Shawn Christensen, Jason Dolan
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Super Crispy Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Sexual References|Language)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 2, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 2, 2018

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