Lion
8.0
Lion fingerprint
Big heart, strong craft, no humor.
Energy
Calm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension6
- Spectacle4
- Fast Pace3
Heart
Deeply moving and melancholic
Much of it is about family and growing up.
- Pathos9
- Family Dynamics9
- Melancholy8
Humor
Serious throughout
- Wit & Wordplay2
- Situational Comedy1
- Physical Comedy1
World
A real life story, family, and history
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality6
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Standout performances, characters, and direction
- Acting9
- Character Depth9
- Direction8
Style
Standout cinematography and score
- Cinematography8
- Music Composition8
- Editing7
Energy
MediumCalm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
Lion is calm and low-intensity. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension6Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Spectacle4Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Fast Pace3Quick tempo and momentum.
- Adrenaline2High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Violence2Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
Heart
HighDeeply moving and melancholic
Much of it is about family and growing up.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, melancholic, and hopeful. Much of it is about family and growing up.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics9Relationships and generational ties.
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Hopefulness8Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
- Coming of Age7Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Nostalgia6Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Wonder5Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
Related traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
NoneSerious throughout
Expect almost no humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay2Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor0Humor from taboo or grim topics.
Related traits
- Wholesome6Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
World
MediumA real life story, family, and history
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around a real life story, family, and history. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity2Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Biographical9Lives of notable figures.
- Historical8Period settings and real events.
- Psychological6Inner worlds and mind games.
- Social Commentary6Perspectives on society and norms.
- Mystery5Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Class & Capitalism5Wealth, power, and inequality.
Craft
HighStandout performances, characters, and direction
The performances, characters, and direction stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting9Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure8Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Non-linear Narrative6Time-shifts and structure play.
- Complexity4Layered plots and ideas.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Style
HighStandout cinematography and score
Look and sound: the cinematography and score stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Centrality7Songs central to storytelling.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality6Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
Skip it if
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
The search begins
Actors
Crew
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
Shows
Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about Lion
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Lion worth watching?
Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 84%, and Metacritic 100). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Lion rated?
It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: disturbing imagery.
How long is Lion?
1 h 58 min
Lion runs 1 h 58 min.
Is Lion based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
Do critics and audiences agree on Lion?
Not quite. Critics rate Lion higher (92) than audiences (83). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was Lion a box office hit?
Yes, a big one. It cost about $12 million to make and earned $140 million worldwide, 11.7 times its budget.
What language is Lion in?
It was made in English, with some Bangla, Hindi. Produced in Australia, United Kingdom, United States.
In how many countries can I watch Lion?
+62GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Lion in 76 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Lion use?
TV Tropes lists 52 storytelling tropes for Lion, including Mononymous Biopic Title, Flat Character, Time Skip.