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John Q

2002·Movie
1h 56min·PG-13
49
MediocreGoodWatch score
IMDb7.1Metacritic306.3Rotten Tomatoes26%78%
IMDb7.1Metacritic306.3Rotten Tomatoes26%78%

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PhiloStarz

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John Q fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Nerve-racking and thrilling

  • Tension9
  • Adrenaline7
  • Fast Pace6

Heart

Deeply moving and cathartic

Much of it is about family.

  • Pathos9
  • Family Dynamics9
  • Catharsis8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay4
  • Dark Humor1
  • Situational Comedy0

World

Everyday modern life, family, and society

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth8
  • Intrigue8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Suspense moviesBittersweet movies

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

About

Give a father no options and you leave him no choice.

John Quincy Archibald is a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and then finds out he cannot receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it. Therefore, he decides to take a hospital full of patients hostage until the hospital puts his son's name on the donor's list.
Emotional DramaSocial CommentaryFamily CrisisTense ThrillerHealthcare CritiqueHostage SituationMoral DilemmaStrong Central PerformanceGritty Realism

Crew

Directed by:
Nick Cassavetes, Darrin Brown, William M. Connor
Written by:
James Kearns, James Kearns
Produced by:
Matthew Barry, Nina Barry, Barbara Harris
Composed by:
Michelle Pazer, Frederick H. Stahly, Michael Semanick

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about John Q

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream John Q legally?

PhiloStarz

John Q is included with a subscription to Philo and Starz in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on YouTube 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 John Q worth watching?

49
MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 49/100 (IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 26%, and Metacritic 30). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is John Q rated?

PG-13ViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery.

How long is John Q?

1 h 56 min

John Q runs 1 h 56 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on John Q?

Critics28
Audiences71

Not quite. Audiences rate John Q higher (71) than critics (28). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was John Q a box office hit?

Budget$36 million
Box office$102 million

Yes. It cost about $36 million to make and earned $102 million worldwide, 2.8 times its budget.

What language is John Q in?

EnglishSpanish

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

In how many countries can I watch John Q?

95ADAGAOARATAUBBBEBOBRBSBZCACH+81

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for John Q in 95 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does John Q use?

Reasonable Authority FigureHeroic SuicideDomestic AbusePoor Communication KillsPolice BrutalityMistaken IdentityIt's All My FaultPapa WolfMeaningful EchoBilly Needs an OrganPlaying PossumAward-Bait Songand 31 more

TV Tropes lists 43 storytelling tropes for John Q, including Reasonable Authority Figure, Heroic Suicide, Domestic Abuse.