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Trailer

Ballast

2008Movie1 h 36 minNR

Drama
78
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9Letterboxd3.7/5Metacritic846.6Rotten Tomatoes92%71%
78
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb6.9Letterboxd3.7/5Metacritic846.6Rotten Tomatoes92%71%

Summary

A single mother and her embattled son struggle to subsist in a small Mississippi Delta township. An act of violence thrusts them into the world of an emotionally devastated highway store owner, awakening the fury of a bitter and longstanding conflict.

Good for

  • Thought-provoking
  • Adults
  • Partner watch

Skip it if

  • You want something to laugh at
  • You need an uplifting mood
  • You want fast pacing

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, laughs or comfort.

Movies with

Cast

3 of 3

Crew

Directed by
Lance Hammer
Written by
Lance Hammer
Produced by
Lance Hammer, Nina Parikh

Everyone

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

Facts

October 1, 2008 · 1 h 36 min · NR

Released
October 1, 2008
Runtime
1 h 36 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence, Suicide Themes, Drug Use
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$700,000
Box office
$81,864
Available in
4 countries

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream Ballast?"

Questions about Ballast

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Ballast worth watching?

78
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 78 (IMDb 6.9, Letterboxd 3.7 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 92%, and Metacritic 84). Critics rate it higher (88 out of 100) than audiences (70).

Is Ballast plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on pathos (9 of 10) and character depth (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Will I feel good after watching Ballast?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for melancholy and 8 for bleakness, against 3 for hopefulness.