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Trailer

Departures

2008Movie2 h 10 minPG-13

Drama
78
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Metacritic688.0Rotten Tomatoes80%92%

A heartwarming, cathartic drama movie about everyday modern life and family, with standout performances and score.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

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Not for scares, brutality or adrenaline.

Movies with

Story

The gift of last memories.

Daigo, a cellist, is laid off from his orchestra and moves with his wife back to his small hometown where the living is cheaper. Thinking he’s applying for a job at a travel agency he finds he’s being interviewed for work with departures of a more permanent nature – as an undertaker’s assistant.

Feels like

  • Gentle Drama
  • Ritual of Death
  • Beautifully Scored
  • Heartwarming Redemption
  • Japanese Cultural Nuance
  • Quiet Dignity
  • Emotional Catharsis
  • Small-Town Life
  • Professional Craftsmanship

Cast

19 of 19

Crew

Directed by
Yojiro Takita
Written by
Kundo Koyama
Produced by
Toshihisa Watai, Toshiaki Nakazawa, Ichirô Nobukuni
Music by
Joe Hisaishi

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 13, 2008 · 2 h 10 min · PG-13

Released
September 13, 2008
Runtime
2 h 10 min
Age rating
PG-13
Content
Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Box office
$70 million
Available in
47 countries

Tropes

Ambiguous Ending, Benevolent Boss, Chekhov's Gun +9

  • Ambiguous Ending
  • Benevolent Boss
  • Chekhov's Gun
  • Comforting Comforter
  • Driven to Suicide
  • The Faceless
  • The Film of the Book
  • The "Fun" in "Funeral"
  • Parental Abandonment
  • Oh, Crap!
  • Humiliation Conga
  • Tokyo Is the Center of the Universe

12 of 28 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Departures?"

Questions about Departures

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Departures?

Plex

In the United States, Departures is free with ads on Plex. You can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 38 other countries.

Is Departures worth watching?

78
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 80%, and Metacritic 68). Audiences rate it higher (84 out of 100) than critics (74).

Is Departures okay for kids?

PG-13Disturbing imagery

Yes: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Is Departures plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and pathos (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Will I feel good after watching Departures?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for wholesome and 8 for hopefulness.

Is Departures in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.

What tropes does Departures use?

Ambiguous EndingBenevolent BossChekhov's GunComforting ComforterDriven to SuicideThe FacelessThe Film of the BookThe "Fun" in "Funeral"Parental AbandonmentOh, Crap!Humiliation CongaTokyo Is the Center of the Universeand 16 more

TV Tropes lists 28 tropes for it, including Ambiguous Ending, Benevolent Boss, and Chekhov's Gun.