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The Assistant

2020·Movie
1h 28min·R
IMDb6.3Metacritic795.4Rotten Tomatoes93%35%

Where to watch

NetflixHulufuboTVParamount+ with ShowtimeParamount+

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

What's your score?

Your score

The Assistant fingerprint

Strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension8
  • Fast Pace3
  • Adrenaline2

Heart

Melancholic and moving

  • Melancholy8
  • Pathos7
  • Catharsis4

Humor

Some cringe comedy

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Cringe Humor5
  • Dark Humor4
  • Satire & Parody3

World

Everyday modern life, the mind, and society

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Novelty7

Craft

Standout performances, direction, and characters

  • Acting9
  • Direction8
  • Character Depth8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchBackground WatchDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing

Find more like it

Suspense moviesMelancholic movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A searing look at a day in the life of an assistant to a powerful executive. As Jane follows her daily routine, she grows increasingly aware of the insidious abuse that threatens every aspect of her position.
Workplace DramaPsychological TensionContemporary IssuesSubtle & RealisticSlow-BurnCharacter-DrivenBleakThought-ProvokingFemale Perspective

Crew

Directed by:
Kitty Green, Willy McGee, Kelli Miller
Written by:
Kitty Green
Produced by:
James Schamus, Avy Kaufman, Sean King O'Grady
Composed by:
Ryan Collison, Leslie Shatz, Leslie Shatz

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Assistant

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Assistant legally?

NetflixHulufuboTVParamount+ with ShowtimeParamount+KanopyHooplaFandango at Home Free

The Assistant is included with a subscription to Netflix, Hulu, fuboTV, and Paramount+ with Showtime in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, and Fandango at Home Free. You can also 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.

Is The Assistant worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 79). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Assistant rated?

RStrong language

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: strong language.

How long is The Assistant?

1 h 28 min

The Assistant runs 1 h 28 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Assistant?

Critics86
Audiences51

Not quite. Critics rate The Assistant higher (86) than audiences (51). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is The Assistant in?

EnglishChinese

It was made in English, with some Chinese. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Assistant?

50AEARATAUBEBOBRBYBZCACHCLCOCR+36

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Assistant in 50 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Assistant use?

Casting GagKick the DogAwful Wedded LifeAccomplice by InactionPunch-Clock VillainBeleaguered AssistantNever Trust a TrailerGirlboss FeministThe VoiceForgotten BirthdayRandom Events PlotSex at Workand 31 more

TV Tropes lists 43 storytelling tropes for The Assistant, including Casting Gag, Kick the Dog, Awful Wedded Life.