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The Descendants

2011·Movie
1h 55min·R
79
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.3Metacritic847.6Rotten Tomatoes87%79%

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The Descendants fingerprint

A , comedy: , but hopeful, .

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Feel

Story

Look

About

The South Pacific ain't that terrific.

With his wife Elizabeth on life support after a boating accident, Hawaiian land baron Matt King takes his daughters on a trip from Oahu to Kauai to confront a young real estate broker, who was having an affair with Elizabeth before her misfortune.
Family DramaMelancholyContemporary SettingCharacter-DrivenHawaiian CultureEmotionalRedemptionMid-life CrisisPathosRelationship Complexity

Crew

Directed by:
Alexander Payne, Scott August, Richard L. Fox
Written by:
Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, Alexander Payne
Produced by:
Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, Jim Burke
Composed by:
Jeff Peterson

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Descendants

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Descendants legally?

HBO Max

The Descendants is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. 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 Descendants worth watching?

79
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 87%, and Metacritic 84). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Descendants rated?

RStrong language

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

How long is The Descendants?

1 h 55 min

The Descendants runs 1 h 55 min.

Will The Descendants make me laugh?

Light

A little. The humor is mostly situational comedy and sharp wit.

Is The Descendants plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven. It leans on character depth and pathos more than on its plot.

Can I half-watch The Descendants?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes. It's easy to follow.

Is The Descendants good for date night?

and 4 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes. Our viewing guide lists it for date night. Romance is a big part of it.

Will The Descendants scare me?

Not scaryTerrifying

No.

Will I feel good after watching The Descendants?

BleakHopeful

Mixed feelings. It balances dark and hopeful moments.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Descendants?

Critics86
Audiences76

Not quite. Critics rate The Descendants higher (86) than audiences (76). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Descendants a box office hit?

Budget$20 million
Box office$177 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $20 million to make and earned $177 million worldwide, 8.9 times its budget.

What language is The Descendants in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Descendants?

86ADAEALARATAUAZBABEBGBOBRBZCA+72

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Descendants in 86 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Descendants use?

Freudian ExcuseSoundtrack DissonanceCreator CameoDumbass Has a PointMaybe Ever AfterCaptain ObviousBlatant LiesImmediate Self-ContradictionCalling Your AttacksNot So StoicClashing Cousins"Take That!" Kissand 43 more

TV Tropes lists 55 storytelling tropes for The Descendants, including Freudian Excuse, Soundtrack Dissonance, Creator Cameo.