P.J.

Name: P.J.
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Released: 2008-11-07
Duration: 1 h 31 min
Cast: John Heard, Howard Nash, Vincent Pastore, Patricia Rae, Robert Picardo

2008·Movie

·1h 31min·

Drama Thriller

WeakGoodWatch score

Set your services

P.J. fingerprint

Strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

Tension7
Violence3
Adrenaline2

Heart

Moving

Pathos7
Melancholy6
Catharsis5

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

Wit & Wordplay4
Situational Comedy0
Physical Comedy0

World

The mind, everyday modern life, and mystery

Dialogue Centrality8
World Immersion7
Ambiguity5

Craft

Standout characters

Character Depth8
Direction7
Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

Cinematography6
Editing6
Music Composition6

Energy

Medium

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

P.J. is tense. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

More movies with medium energy

All energy traits

Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
Adrenaline2High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.

Fast Pace2Quick tempo and momentum.
Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Spectacle1Scale and set-piece grandeur.

Related traits

Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.

Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.

Heart

Low

Moving

Emotionally, it's moving.

All heart traits

Pathos7Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
Melancholy6Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
Catharsis5Emotional release and payoff.
Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.

Family Dynamics2Relationships and generational ties.
Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Wonder1Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Nostalgia0Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.

Related traits

Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
Bleakness6Grim, stark outlooks.

Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.

Humor

None

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

Expect a little humor.

All humor traits

Wit & Wordplay4Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.

Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
Dark Humor0Humor from taboo or grim topics.

World

Medium

The mind, everyday modern life, and mystery

Its world is built around the mind, everyday modern life, and mystery.

More movies with medium world

All world traits

Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
World Immersion7Depth and sensory richness of setting.
Ambiguity5Open-endedness and uncertainty.

Rewatchability4Invites repeat viewing.
Novelty4Fresh ideas and invention.

Related traits

Psychological9Inner worlds and mind games.
Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.

Mystery7Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
Social Commentary5Perspectives on society and norms.

Craft

High

Standout characters

The characters stand out.

More movies with high craft

All craft traits

Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
Acting7Performance craft and presence.
Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.

Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
Non-linear Narrative3Time-shifts and structure play.
Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.

Related traits

Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.

Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.

Style

Medium

Functional look and sound

The look and sound stay functional.

More movies with medium style

All style traits

Cinematography6Visual composition and camera work.
Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
Music Composition6Score and musical identity.

Music Centrality4The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Sound Centrality4Sound design as core element.
Visual Stylization3Distinctive aesthetic signature.

Related traits

Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

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

About

A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Misplace.

Traumatized and suffering from amnesia after witnessing a terrible accident, a man who calls himself P.J. is admitted to a hospital, where psychiatrist Alan Shearson tries to get him on the path to recovery. But Dr. Shearson's boss wants to hand over the patient to the state mental ward, and the man's bitter ex-girlfriend is reluctant to help.

Psychological DramaAmnesia ThrillerIdentity QuestHospital SettingIntense DialogueCharacter-DrivenMelancholic ToneMental Health ThemesSlow-Burn Mystery

Actors

John Heard

Dr. Alan Shearson

Howard Nash

Charles

Vincent Pastore

Burt

Patricia Rae

Shelly

Robert Picardo

Stan Jamison

Hallie Eisenberg

Pauline

Glynnis O'Connor

Evelyn

Lavinia Dowdell

Mariah

Tim Cinnante

Tony

Celia Au

Hallway Orderly

Caroline Guivarch

Catherine Monnier

Mike Marino

Alex's Bodyguard

Ramfis Myrthil

Orderly in Parking Lot

Prem Singh

Steven's Orderly

Crew

Directed by:

Russ Emanuel

Written by:

Emilio Iasiello, Mark McQuown

Produced by:

Craig Frankel, Raz Cunningham, Russ Emanuel

Composed by:

Neil Argo

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about P.J.

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream P.J. legally?

Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads

P.J. is included with a subscription to Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, and Amazon Prime Video with Ads in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on JustWatch TV, Hoopla, and YouTube Free. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.