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An American Pastoral

2024·Movie
1h 59min
47
MediocreGoodWatch score

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An American Pastoral fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace4
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Moving

  • Pathos7
  • Melancholy6
  • Catharsis5

Humor

Some satire

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody6
  • Dark Humor4
  • Cringe Humor3

World

Everyday modern life, politics, and society

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability5

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Intrigue8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-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

In a quiet Pennsylvania town, a storm is brewing over the soul of its public schools. What begins as a debate over library books quickly reveals a deeper battle — one over religion, democracy, and the future of American education. Set in Elizabethtown, nestled in the heart of Lancaster County, An American Pastoral follows a high-stakes local school board race as it becomes a flashpoint for a national culture war. With far-right activists pushing a theocratic agenda and longtime public servants stepping down under threat, the town’s once-routine school board meetings erupt into scenes of conflict and division. This gripping documentary captures the voices of citizens fighting to protect their schools—and the fragile promise of secular democracy — one ballot at a time.
DocumentaryPolitical ActivismFar-Right ExtremismCultural DividesPublic Education CrisisLGBTQ+ IssuesCommunity ResistanceSocial CommentaryGrassroots Movement

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about An American Pastoral

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream An American Pastoral legally?

You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, and Plex. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is An American Pastoral worth watching?

47
MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 47/100 (IMDb 7.2). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is An American Pastoral?

1 h 59 min

An American Pastoral runs 1 h 59 min.

What language is An American Pastoral in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in France.

In how many countries can I watch An American Pastoral?

2CAUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for An American Pastoral in 2 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.