Wise Blood

1979·Movie
1h 46min·PG

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Wise Blood fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Violence4
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Melancholic

  • Melancholy7
  • Pathos6
  • Catharsis5

Humor

Some dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor5
  • Satire & Parody4
  • Wit & Wordplay3

World

Faith and meaning, the mind, and society

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing

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

An American Masterpiece!

A Southerner--young, poor, ambitious but uneducated--determines to become something in the world. He decides that the best way to do that is to become a preacher and start up his own church.
Southern GothicReligious ObsessionPsychological DramaExistential CrisisBleakMelancholySocial CommentaryCharacter StudyPhilosophical

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about Wise Blood

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Wise Blood legally?

Wise Blood is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Wise Blood worth watching?

77
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 77/100 (IMDb 6.9, Rotten Tomatoes 88%, and Metacritic 84). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Wise Blood rated?

PG

It's rated PG in the United States.

How long is Wise Blood?

1 h 46 min

Wise Blood runs 1 h 46 min.

Is Wise Blood based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Wise Blood?

Critics86
Audiences72

Not quite. Critics rate Wise Blood higher (86) than audiences (72). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is Wise Blood in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Wise Blood?

10BECAESFRGBITKRSMUSVA

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Wise Blood in 10 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Wise Blood use?

Rage Against the HeavensFille FataleSinister MinisterReligious for BenefitsIdentical StrangerRefusal of the CallThe Call Knows Where You LivePlucky Comic ReliefCon ManThe Comically SeriousThe Alleged CarBlack Comedyand 11 more

TV Tropes lists 23 storytelling tropes for Wise Blood, including Rage Against the Heavens, Fille Fatale, Sinister Minister.

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