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Trailer

Testament

1983Movie1 h 30 minPG

Drama
75
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9Metacritic717.8Rotten Tomatoes90%74%

A deeply moving, profoundly sad drama movie about everyday modern life and family.

Good for thought-provoking · adults · solo watch

Skip it if you want something to laugh at · you need an uplifting mood · you want fast pacing

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Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Story

They never had a chance to see their children grow up. To watch each other grow old. To fix up the house, to take that vacation. Because it only took an instant to shatter their dreams.

It's just another day in the small town of Hamlin until something disastrous happens. Suddenly, news breaks that a series of nuclear warheads has been dropped along the Eastern Seaboard and, more locally, in California. As people begin coping with the devastating aftermath of the attacks — many suffer radiation poisoning — the Wetherly family tries to survive.

Feels like

  • Post-Nuclear Devastation
  • Family Survival
  • Bleak Realism
  • Community Breakdown
  • Loss of Innocence
  • Social Commentary
  • Existential Dread
  • Emotional Impact
  • Grief and Resilience

Cast

18 of 18

Crew

Directed by
Lynne Littman
Written by
John Sacret Young, Carol Amen
Produced by
Lynne Littman, Jonathan Bernstein
Music by
James Horner

Everyone

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

Facts

November 4, 1983 · 1 h 30 min · PG

Released
November 4, 1983
Runtime
1 h 30 min
Age rating
PG
Content
Suicide Themes, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Science Fiction
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$2 million
Box office
$2 million
Available in
32 countries

Tropes

Potty Failure, Disappeared Dad, Ominous Hair Loss +9

  • Potty Failure
  • Disappeared Dad
  • Ominous Hair Loss
  • Stuff Blowing Up
  • After the End
  • School Play
  • Dramatic Incontinence
  • Face Death with Dignity
  • Oh, Crap!
  • Housewife
  • Incurable Cough of Death
  • Happily Adopted

12 of 33 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream Testament?"

Questions about Testament

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Testament?

KanopyHoopla

In the United States, Testament is free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 9 other countries.

Is Testament worth watching?

75
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 90%, and Metacritic 71).

Is Testament okay for kids?

PGSuicide themesDisturbing imagery

Better for older viewers: it's rated PG in the United States for suicide themes and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for adults.

Will I feel good after watching Testament?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for bleakness and 9 for melancholy, against 1 for hopefulness.

Is Testament plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

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

What tropes does Testament use?

Potty FailureDisappeared DadOminous Hair LossStuff Blowing UpAfter the EndSchool PlayDramatic IncontinenceFace Death with DignityOh, Crap!HousewifeIncurable Cough of DeathHappily Adoptedand 21 more

TV Tropes lists 33 tropes for it, including Potty Failure, Disappeared Dad, and Ominous Hair Loss.