Magnolia
8.0
Magnolia fingerprint
Masterful craft, high energy.
Energy
Tense and fast-paced
Fast from start to finish.
- Tension7
- Fast Pace7
- Spectacle6
Heart
Deeply moving and melancholic
Much of it is about family.
- Pathos9
- Family Dynamics9
- Melancholy8
Humor
Some sharp wit and absurdist humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay7
- Absurdist Humor6
- Dark Humor5
World
Everyday modern life, family, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
- Dialogue Centrality9
- World Immersion8
- Rewatchability8
Craft
Standout performances, characters, and direction
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
- Acting10
- Character Depth10
- Direction9
Style
Standout cinematography, editing, and score
- Cinematography9
- Editing8
- Music Composition8
Energy
HighTense and fast-paced
Fast from start to finish.
Magnolia is tense and fast-paced.
All energy traits
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Adrenaline5High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Violence4Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare3Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
Heart
HighDeeply moving and melancholic
Much of it is about family.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, melancholic, and cathartic. Much of it is about family.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics9Relationships and generational ties.
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis8Emotional release and payoff.
- Romance7Love stories and emotional connections.
- Coming of Age5Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wonder5Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wholesome3Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Nostalgia2Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Related traits
- Character Depth10Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
MediumSome sharp wit and absurdist humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some sharp wit and absurdist humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay7Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Absurdist Humor6Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Dark Humor5Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Cringe Humor3Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Satire & Parody3Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Situational Comedy2Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
Related traits
- Eccentricity8Oddball tone and quirks.
World
HighEveryday modern life, family, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
Its world is built around everyday modern life, family, and the mind. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in. It holds up on a rewatch. It leaves some questions open.
All world traits
- Dialogue Centrality9Stories driven by conversation.
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Rewatchability8Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty8Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity7Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism10Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Psychological9Inner worlds and mind games.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Mystery7Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Showbiz6Entertainment industry and performance.
- Class & Capitalism6Wealth, power, and inequality.
Craft
Very highStandout performances, characters, and direction
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The performances, characters, and direction stand out. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
All craft traits
- Acting10Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth10Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction9Vision and command behind the camera.
- Dialogue Quality9Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity9Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative9Time-shifts and structure play.
- Intrigue8Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Novelty8Fresh ideas and invention.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
Style
HighStandout cinematography, editing, and score
Look and sound: the cinematography, editing, and score stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography9Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing8Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality8The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality9Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Who it's for
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About
Things fall down. People look up. And when it rains, it pours.
Actors
Crew
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
Shows
Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about Magnolia
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Magnolia worth watching?
Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81/100 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 82%, and Metacritic 78). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Magnolia rated?
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: strong language, sexual content, drug use, and suicide themes.
How long is Magnolia?
3 h 9 min
Magnolia runs 3 h 9 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on Magnolia?
Yes. Critics average 80 and audiences 84 out of 100, so both groups see Magnolia much the same way.
Was Magnolia a box office hit?
Roughly broke even. It cost about $37 million to make and earned $48 million worldwide, 1.3 times its budget.
What language is Magnolia in?
It was made in English, with some French, German. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch Magnolia?
+77GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Magnolia in 91 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Magnolia use?
TV Tropes lists 64 storytelling tropes for Magnolia, including Reckless Gun Usage, Wrong Genre Savvy, As the Good Book Says....