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The Human Stain

2003·Movie
1h 46min·R
53
MediocreGoodWatch score

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Strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace3
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Profoundly sad and moving

  • Melancholy9
  • Pathos8
  • Romance7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Cringe Humor2
  • Dark Humor2

World

Everyday modern life, society, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and dialogue

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchThought-Provoking

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You want fast pacing

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

How far would you go to escape the past?

Coleman Silk is a worldly and admired professor who loses his job after unwittingly making a racial slur. To clear his name, Silk writes a book about the events with his friend and colleague Nathan Zuckerman, who in the process discovers a dark secret Silk has hidden his whole life. All the while, Silk engages in an affair with Faunia Farley, a younger woman whose tormented past threatens to unravel the layers of deception Silk has constructed.
Psychological DramaRacial IdentityHidden PastForbidden RomanceSocial CommentaryAcademic SettingMelancholic ToneLayered NarrativeCharacter-Driven

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Human Stain

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Human Stain legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and YouTube Free. You can also 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.

Is The Human Stain worth watching?

53
MediocreGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 54/100 (IMDb 6.2, Rotten Tomatoes 41%, and Metacritic 57). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Human Stain rated?

RNuditySexual contentStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: nudity, sexual content, and strong language.

How long is The Human Stain?

1 h 46 min

The Human Stain runs 1 h 46 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Human Stain?

Critics49
Audiences58

Not quite. Audiences rate The Human Stain higher (58) than critics (49). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was The Human Stain a box office hit?

Budget$30 million
Box office$25 million

No. It cost about $30 million to make and earned $25 million worldwide, 83% of its budget.

What language is The Human Stain in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in France, Germany, United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Human Stain?

43ARATAUBOBRBYBZCACHCLCOCRDEDK+29

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Human Stain in 43 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.