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Manchester by the Sea

Play trailer 2:29 Poster for Manchester by the Sea R 2016 2h 17m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
96% Tomatometer 356 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
After the death of his older brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked that Joe has made him sole guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick. Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi (Michelle Williams), and the community where he was born and raised.
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Manchester by the Sea

Manchester by the Sea

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Critics Consensus

Manchester by the Sea delivers affecting drama populated by full-bodied characters, marking another strong step forward for writer-director Kenneth Lonergan.

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Critics Reviews

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K. Austin Collins The Ringer 08/10/2017
In Manchester by the Sea, Kenneth Lonergan again explores the depth of grief. Go to Full Review
Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 03/22/2017
C+
Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan's MANCHESTER BY THE SEA made me leave the theater feeling empty... it could easily be filed away as just another white male angst narrative. Go to Full Review
Wenlei Ma News.com.au 01/31/2017
5/5
Manchester by the Sea may be a potent examination of grief, family and self-imposed solitude, but it's also oddly life-affirming and uplifting. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson 07/20/2025
5/5
The most praiseworthy character-driven films have the patience to cultivate its truths with substance and the wisdom to never give you everything. Go to Full Review
JD Duran InSession Film 08/08/2024
A
Manchester By the Sea may be a somber and dour experience, but it’s one full of hope that people can survive grief. Go to Full Review
Demitra Kampakis Vague Visages 12/12/2023
Lonergan interrogates the realities of grief with sober restraint. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Steven M. 10/08/2021 My favorite movie of that year! Simply splendid. The acting and directing and writing are beautiful. My pick for Best Picture over Moonlight. See more Katie D 03/15/2021 Perfect movie for a gray day! This film feels a little long and the editing/cinematography could use some work, but the acting is award-worthy! It is definitely Casey Affleck's best work and also a wonderful performance by Lucas Hedges! See more Luke W @12starfrogsplash 9h Acting was good, story was unique, and I loved the east coast setting. The plot can be a bit to juggle, considering the excessive use of flashbacks. It was pretty sad but I won’t lie, it wasn’t half as sad as I was expecting. It touches on some deep topics and makes you think, no doubt. Nonetheless, it’s pretty solid. Will watch again one day. See more Kevin P @RT55971421 11h A devastatingly bittersweet story about grief, depression, PTSD, and emptiness. The film has one of the most relatable and realistic depictions of depression and grief that I've ever seen. This is thanks to the great writing and the amazing acting about the subtle silent grief and mundane emotional shut in of everyday life after grief and trauma. Casey Affleck says so much with so little words with just his subtle facial expressions and body language of detachment and disinterest, just barely keeping it in and feeling unsure of what to say. Michelle Williams' role is much briefer than what the advertisements but up, but her role is still crucial and casts a heartbreaking shadow over the main characters. The movie is quietly heartbreaking, but still very funny with great mundane family banter. I love the cute soundtrack with the cozy yet quiet New England seaside setting. The movie has a bittersweet ending and it leaves you wanting more, since honestly I could watch this family all day. See more Tori R @Lateforsupper Jun 19 Horrible movie! Don’t waste your precious time. It goes nowhere fast. It had potential but didn’t go in any direction but down. I have no idea where it got all those positive reviews. I understand the critics giving it high scores because it’s so bizarre but normal people would not give it a 78% . Don’t trust the reviews See more Tristan B @tristan3 Jun 17 [BOT] A bit overrated honestly. See more Read all reviews
Manchester by the Sea

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Movie Info

Synopsis After the death of his older brother Joe, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is shocked that Joe has made him sole guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick. Taking leave of his job as a janitor in Boston, Lee reluctantly returns to Manchester-by-the-Sea, the fishing village where his working-class family has lived for generations. There, he is forced to deal with a past that separated him from his wife, Randi (Michelle Williams), and the community where he was born and raised.
Director
Kenneth Lonergan
Producer
Matt Damon, Kimberly Steward, Chris Moore, Lauren Beck, Kevin J. Walsh
Screenwriter
Kenneth Lonergan
Distributor
Roadside Attractions, Amazon Studios
Production Co
Roadside Attractions, Big Indie Pictures
Rating
R (Some Sexual Content|Language Throughout)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 16, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$47.7M
Runtime
2h 17m