5.8
Where can I stream The Clearing legally?
You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Clearing fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.
Energy
Tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension8
- Adrenaline6
- Fast Pace6
Heart
Emotionally reserved
Much of it is about family.
- Family Dynamics7
- Melancholy6
- Pathos5
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Dark Humor3
- Cringe Humor2
World
Everyday modern life, crime, and the mind
- World Immersion7
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability5
Craft
Standout performances and characters
- Acting8
- Character Depth8
- Intrigue8
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Music Composition7
- Editing6
Energy
HighTense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Clearing is tense. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline6High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace6Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle4Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence4Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare3Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
LowEmotionally reserved
Much of it is about family.
It keeps its emotions at a distance. Much of it is about family.
All heart traits
- Family Dynamics7Relationships and generational ties.
- Melancholy6Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos5Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis4Emotional release and payoff.
- Wonder3Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Romance2Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wholesome2Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Coming of Age2Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Related traits
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Dark Humor3Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
World
MediumEveryday modern life, crime, and the mind
Its world is built around everyday modern life, crime, and the mind.
All world traits
- World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability5Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity5Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Crime8Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
- Mystery7Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Class & Capitalism6Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Social Commentary5Perspectives on society and norms.
Craft
HighStandout performances and characters
The performances and characters stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Intrigue8Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative4Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Fast Pace6Quick tempo and momentum.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Style
MediumFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization5Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
When affluent executive Wayne Hayes is kidnapped by a disgruntled employee and held for ransom in a forest, Wayne’s wife is forced to reckon with the FBI agents as they negotiate with the kidnapper.
Psychological ThrillerKidnapping DramaMoral DilemmaSuburban AngstCharacter-DrivenTense NegotiationBetrayal and DeceitClass ConflictRedemption Story
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Titles like The Clearing
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: The Clearing
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with The Clearing
The Clearing2004
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:Colors of Evil: Red (2024)The Snow Girl (2023)River (2015)The Escapist (2008)The Yards (2000)Deadwind (2018)The Deep End (2001)The Stranger (2020)Paranoid (2016)The Keeper of Lost Causes (2013)The Drop (2014)The Buckingham Murders (2024)The Decline (2020)The Salesman (2016)A Simple Plan (1998)Ripley's Game (2002)Rogue Agent (2022)Black Sea (2014)Shades of Blue (2016)Michael Clayton (2007)Raat Akeli Hai (2020)The Next Three Days (2010)Innocent (2017)Human Capital (2013)Trapped (2015)Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (2024)Butterfly on a Wheel (2007)Collateral (2018)A History of Violence (2005)The Breakthrough (2025)The Hunters (1996)Metro Manila (2013)Jigra (2024)The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)Talvar (2015)Jaane Jaan (2023)Anweshippin Kandethum (2024)Arbitrage (2012)Heaven (2002)A Conspiracy of Faith (2016)The Ones Below (2016)DCI Banks (2011)Cape Fear (1962)The Night of the 12th (2022)Crazxy (2025)Secrets We Keep (2025)Dublin Murders (2019)Stuck (2007)The Absent One (2014)The Occupant (2020)Evaru (2019)The Family Man (2019)Widows (2018)Suspect (1987)Aarya (2020)The Body (2012)Black Rabbit (2025)The Lookout (2007)36th Precinct (2004)The Informer (2019)The Pledge (2001)4 Blocks (2017)Top Boy (2011)Blow the Man Down (2019)
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Clearing
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Clearing worth watching?
51
MediocreGoodWatch scoreOpinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 52/100 (IMDb 5.8, Rotten Tomatoes 44%, and Metacritic 60). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Clearing rated?
RStrong languageDisturbing imagery
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: strong language and disturbing imagery.
How long is The Clearing?
1 h 35 min
The Clearing runs 1 h 35 min.
Is The Clearing based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Clearing?
Critics52
Audiences49
Yes. Critics average 52 and audiences 49 out of 100, so both groups see The Clearing much the same way.
What language is The Clearing in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Clearing?
35
+21
+21GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Clearing in 35 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Clearing use?
Why Couldn't You Be Different?Driven to SuicideVomit Indiscretion ShotPop-Cultural OsmosisChekhov's GunBittersweet EndingActor AllusionRed HerringBottle EpisodeShout-Out
TV Tropes lists 10 storytelling tropes for The Clearing, including Why Couldn't You Be Different?, Driven to Suicide, Vomit Indiscretion Shot.