The River

2001·Movie
1h 51min
65
GoodGoodWatch score

Where to watch

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

The River fingerprint

Strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace3
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Moving and melancholic

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics8
  • Pathos7
  • Melancholy7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy3
  • Cringe Humor3

World

Everyday modern life, family, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout characters, performances, and storytelling

  • Character Depth9
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchBackground WatchBinge-FriendlyDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

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

Episodic study of feelings where six stories intertwine over one Saturday in a small town. Two boys save a young woman, Anni, and her baby from suicide by drowning. Esa, a down-on-his-luck musician in need of a loan, arrives to his father's 60th birthday party. Waitress Leena tries to stir up a romance between her co-workers at a pizza parlor. Middle-aged Ilpo comes home early from the paper mill and finds a strange man in their bedroom. Old Milja waits for her daughter Merja at the hospital where she is visiting her terminally ill husband Henri. Teenage Santeri tries to cope with his homosexuality.
Finnish DramaSlice-of-LifeIntertwined NarrativesCharacter-DrivenHuman ConditionMelancholic ToneEveryday StrugglesQuiet & ObservationalEmotional Depth

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The River

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The River legally?

The River is included with a subscription to FlixFling in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from FlixFling. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The River worth watching?

65
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 66/100 (IMDb 6.8 and Metacritic 63). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The River rated?

Suicide themes

Content advisories: suicide themes.

How long is The River?

1 h 51 min

The River runs 1 h 51 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The River?

Critics63
Audiences68

Yes. Critics average 63 and audiences 68 out of 100, so both groups see The River much the same way.

What language is The River in?

Finnish

It was made in Finnish. Produced in Finland.

In how many countries can I watch The River?

5AUCAFIMXUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The River in 5 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

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