7.8
Where can I stream Imitation of Life legally?
You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
Imitation of Life fingerprint
Big heart, strong craft, a touch of humor.
Energy
Tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension7
- Adrenaline4
- Fast Pace4
Heart
Deeply moving and nostalgic
Much of it is about family and growing up.
- Pathos9
- Nostalgia9
- Family Dynamics9
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay4
- Cringe Humor3
- Dark Humor3
World
Family, show business, and society
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality8
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout performances and characters
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
- Acting8
- Character Depth8
- Complexity8
Style
Standout score
- Music Composition8
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
Energy
MediumTense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
Imitation of Life is tense. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline4High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace4Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle4Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence4Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare3Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
HighDeeply moving and nostalgic
Much of it is about family and growing up.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, nostalgic, and melancholic. Much of it is about family and growing up.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Nostalgia9Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Family Dynamics9Relationships and generational ties.
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis8Emotional release and payoff.
- Coming of Age7Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Romance6Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wonder4Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Wholesome3Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Related traits
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay4Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Cringe Humor3Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Dark Humor3Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Situational Comedy2Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody1Sharp critique and playful imitation.
World
MediumFamily, show business, and society
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around family, show business, and society. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity5Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Showbiz9Entertainment industry and performance.
- Social Commentary9Perspectives on society and norms.
- Class & Capitalism9Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Historical8Period settings and real events.
- Psychological7Inner worlds and mind games.
- Mystery6Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
Craft
HighStandout performances and characters
Layered plot that rewards full attention.
The performances and characters stand out. The plot is layered and rewards full attention.
All craft traits
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Complexity8Layered plots and ideas.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Non-linear Narrative4Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Philosophical6Ideas about life and existence.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Style
HighStandout score
Look and sound: the score stand out.
All style traits
- Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Centrality7The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality4Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You want to half-watch while scrolling
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
Fannie Hurst's best selling novel of today's tormented generation!
In 1940s New York, a white widow who dreams of being on Broadway has a chance encounter with a black single mother, who becomes her maid.
MelodramaRace RelationsClass DivisionMother-Daughter RelationshipShow BusinessSocial CommentaryTragic1940s AmericaAmbition
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Titles like Imitation of Life
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: Imitation of Life
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with Imitation of Life
Imitation of Life1959
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:Mildred Pierce (1945)Farewell My Concubine (1993)Wildlife (2018)The Best of Youth (2003)Invisible Life (2019)Gloomy Sunday (1999)Honkytonk Man (1982)Jude (1996)Wuthering Heights (1939)The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)Sir (2018)POSE (2018)The Club (2021)Ragtime (1981)Lady Macbeth (2016)I Vitelloni (1953)Shyam Singha Roy (2021)Waterloo Bridge (1940)When Father Was Away on Business (1985)All That Heaven Allows (1955)The Immigrant (2013)If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)Cold War (2018)My Father and My Son (2005)Ju Dou (1990)Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (1980)Guide (1965)Children of Paradise (1945)Cadillac Records (2008)The Concert (2009)Tess (1979)Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)Mother India (1957)A Star Is Born (1954)Café Society (2016)A Walk on the Moon (1999)Manon of the Spring (1986)The Wings of the Dove (1997)Atonement (2007)Character (1997)Great Expectations (2012)Ash Is Purest White (2018)The Squid and the Whale (2005)Women in Love (1969)Jane Eyre (1943)Chaplin (1992)Never Look Away (2018)Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)La Strada (1954)Persuasion (2007)Nights of Cabiria (1957)Rent (2005)Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)Mansfield Park (1999)Maurice (1987)The Paradise (2012)White Hunter, Black Heart (1990)Hilary and Jackie (1998)The Last Metro (1980)East of Eden (2026)Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)The Best of Youth (2003)Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (1992)
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Imitation of Life
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Imitation of Life worth watching?
82
GreatGoodWatch scoreYes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83/100 (IMDb 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes 82%, and Metacritic 87). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Imitation of Life rated?
NR
It's rated NR in the United States.
How long is Imitation of Life?
2 h 5 min
Imitation of Life runs 2 h 5 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on Imitation of Life?
Critics85
Audiences83
Yes. Critics average 85 and audiences 83 out of 100, so both groups see Imitation of Life much the same way.
What language is Imitation of Life in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch Imitation of Life?
18
+4
+4GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Imitation of Life in 18 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.