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American Fiction
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American Fiction

American Fiction

2023
Comedy, Drama
1h 57m
English professor and author Thelonious "Monk" Ellison writes a satirical novel under a pseudonym, with the intent to expose the hypocrisies of the publishing industry (imdb.com).

Directed by:

Cord Jefferson

Screenwriter:

Cord Jefferson, Percival Everett

Starring:

Keith David, Miriam Shor, Jeffrey Wright, Erika Alexander, Adam Brody, John Ortiz, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sterling K. Brown, Leslie Uggams, Issa Rae, Raymond Anthony Thomas

Genres:

Comedy, Drama

Country:

USA

Language:

English
imdb IMDb
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American Fiction

2023
Comedy, Drama
1h 57m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 61.1% from 773 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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leonardisLeonardis
Rated 09 Feb 2024
96
89th
Thoroughly enjoyed it! I thought it was one of the easiest watches of the year, in a good way. It takes itself serious enough to strike a chord at times, and it is pretty sad and heartbreaking at others, but it’s also very funny. The cast is excellent, I’m glad Jeffrey Wright finally got to show off his acting chops. Also loved Brown and Ellis quite a bit. I loved all of the characters and I really loved the family drama. It’s one of the more balanced movies I’ve seen as of late. A new favorite.
Rated 09 Feb 2024
sadmanSadman
Rated 11 Feb 2024
85
81st
Theory time: This movie is a meta-meta movie. Billed as a satire on stereotypical depictions of black stories, it portrays a stereotypical “white” familial drama with black characters. Beach houses, paternal suicide, sudden deaths, Alzheimers and late stage exits from the closet - all stereotypes of literary fiction that I gobbled down as a sucker. Jefferson is satirizing in all directions and the fact that this is getting awards recognition? Chef’s kiss. Can’t wait to see it again.
Rated 11 Feb 2024
topaz024topaz024
Rated 14 Jan 2024
100
98th
my best film of 2023
Rated 14 Jan 2024
darrenDarren
Rated 10 Feb 2024
71
57th
Enjoyable and a good performance by Wright but I’m unsure of the satirical angle of this especially given what was being laughed at and for what reason in my theatre in Suburban Vancouver. Are we laughing because it’s the wrong way to combat racism in industries or we laughing because racism doesn’t exist and these silly liberals think it does. I’m unsure. A very Chappelle conundrum.
Rated 10 Feb 2024
kevin_ruffoKevin Ruffo
Rated 08 Feb 2024
70
57th
how do i love this and not be like the white douches of the movie
Rated 08 Feb 2024
filliganFilligan
Rated 30 Jan 2024
96
94th
More family dramedy than the promised premise, which is actually a welcome surprise for me. I do love my family dramedies. But regardless of its focus, this is well balanced and consistently funny, and when not funny it's often charming enough to keep a smile on the audience's face. From the subtly beautiful photography to the perfect performances to the endearing script to the upbeat score, this smacks of influence from the likes of Alexander Payne, and I ate it up.
Rated 30 Jan 2024
montycircusMontyCircus
Rated 15 Jan 2024
60
69th
The satire involving the publishing industry was quite funny. But the family plotlines, the mother, the gay brother, seemed like it was from another movie, and had nothing to do with the satire and felt like filler. Had an ending that Charlie Kaufman's "Adaptation" did miles better.
Rated 15 Jan 2024
khbatemankhbateman
Rated 12 Jul 2024
80
36th
Satire was super well done and very funny. The movie felt a little uneven though with the family drama - I don't know that it added to it.
Rated 12 Jul 2024
icarusIcarus
Rated 05 Jun 2024
60
26th
While pretty enjoyable to sit through, the film's satire ends up pretty broad, which causes it to lose steam in the latter half. By the conclusion, I also couldn't shake the feeling that the movie was trying to have its cake and eat it too. When you're trying to satirize something and end up doing exactly that, it feels almost like it's trying to trick its audience. At least give me a chance to reflect productively on what you've presented before shoving me in with the white liberal masses.
Rated 05 Jun 2024
ytadelYtadel
Rated 24 May 2024
5
57th
Feel like this was a bit deceptively marketed tbh; the satirical element of black culture and how white people engage with it so advertised is there - and when it’s there it’s funny! - but it’s also only like 50% of the movie. The other 50% was fairly stock family drama I was much much less interested in.
Rated 24 May 2024
armilioArmilio
Rated 07 Apr 2024
63
35th
I expected more bite. The social satire is sharp but scattered, striving for balance and ultimately playing it safe. The film mainly revolves around the trope of the troubled man returning back home and rediscovering his family, his roots, himself. Maybe it's a meta-satire: Monk is against stereotypes, yet his life is full of them. Or maybe it's meta-narrative: in the end, Monk accepts the value of stereotypes both in literature and in life. I don't know, the joke it's getting too complicated.
Rated 07 Apr 2024
amazedemonamazedemon
Rated 29 Mar 2024
73
89th
American Fiction works due to clever writing & a grumpily charismatic performance from Wright. The side characters provide plenty of levity while the family drama grounds the film in common experience while still making a joke with the setting. The film is about the "white" perception of "black" experience, & comes to a head with a conversation between Wright's Monk (a defeated optimist) & Rae's Sintara (an affirmed sellout) that leaves the blame at misguided gatekeepers & moronic audiences.
Rated 29 Mar 2024
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 01 Mar 2024
70
54th
Sintara Golden: "Potential is what people see when what's in front of them isn't good enough."
Rated 01 Mar 2024
boss_babyBoss Baby
Rated 24 Feb 2024
54
24th
“it’s dumb that this poorly written book gets award nominations just because it’s about racism” - a mediocre movie that got award nominations just because it’s about racism
Rated 24 Feb 2024
p_u_l_pP u l p
Rated 21 Feb 2024
45
34th
This movie made fun of the pretentiousness of art awards and then it got a best picture nomination
Rated 21 Feb 2024
xakkmasterXakkMaster
Rated 21 Feb 2024
90
88th
I thoroughly enjoyed the family story here; it gave Monk depth and reason for publishing his satire, which also speaks to the very real struggle of substance vs success. The strongest criticism is that this movie would have been far more impactful 10-15 years ago (the novel it's based on is from 2001), but the topic and issues discussed are still highly relevant. The whole cast is great and Jeffrey Wright in particular is magnificent. A very thoughtful, and frequently funny, culture examination.
Rated 21 Feb 2024
bownBown
Rated 11 Feb 2024
79
49th
The satire is extremely good - very broad a lot of the time, but still smart and funny and precise. The family drama side, however, really didn’t do much for me, despite the excellent performances - it just feels, I dunno, kinda basic and unspecific, like a very generic depiction of the topics presented to kill time between the funny parts. And I’m pretty mixed on the ending. But a lot of great stuff, Wright and Brown are fantastic, and the score is killer.
Rated 11 Feb 2024
schnofelschnofel
Rated 07 Feb 2024
34
18th
A broad hackwork from start to finish, where hardly any scene adds up and only the gravitas of the actors holds it together. And yet, there is some feeling to the family relations that is struggling to get out. Maybe if Jefferson lays off his political/societal non-ideas (jive doesn't translate to common Black experience, for real?), there could be a drama in his future that plays differently than the sad parts of a sitcom.
Rated 07 Feb 2024
myfavchordsmyfavchords
Rated 31 Jan 2024
84
88th
Jeffrey Wright is great in the lead role in this film. The supporting cast also does a good job here. The script is really smart, there are numerous good moments and scenes during this movie. Overall I would highly recommend this film.
Rated 31 Jan 2024
tpbradburytpbradbury
Rated 29 Jan 2024
75
83rd
Pretty good. Well handled. Lovely acting
Rated 29 Jan 2024
croweycrowey
Rated 23 Jan 2024
90
93rd
Basically a black inversion of Breaking Bad & so damned good. I’m bummed the reactions to it have been so mediocre. Maybe people having their toes stepped on? Imo, the comedy was dead on, if sometimes on the dry side. But the nuanced character portraits are a huge part of what took it from a funny synopsis to a solidly well rounded movie. The comparison to Adaptation was on point. But it’s also its own thing. And it isn’t worse or better than Adaptation, just different.
Rated 23 Jan 2024
doyler29doyler29
Rated 18 Jan 2024
80
68th
I don't think this is a brilliant film, but it's a very good one and Wright's performance is brilliant. He's too often relegated to turning in wonderful performances in supporting roles, so it's a real joy to see him able to do so much here with such subtlety.
Rated 18 Jan 2024
jlfmJLFM
Rated 12 Jan 2024
64
35th
Not unenjoyable, but wholly dissatisfying. The comedy side of things is ludicrously broad; some of it is quite funny, but I always felt like I was getting elbowed in the ribs. This is not a movie that wants you to miss a single joke. And I’m getting pretty bored of white liberalism as an increasingly soft target. The drama side of things is more assured and less uneven, but none of it really goes anywhere. The cast is a lot of fun, though, and they make the most of some pretty thin characters.
Rated 12 Jan 2024
gamul1Gamul1
Rated 06 Jan 2024
80
42nd
Overall, a really good watch. Well done, and fun. I thought I knew how this would end but was wrong. Not sure yet how I feel about the ending.
Rated 06 Jan 2024
n1k0o8N1k0o8
Rated 02 Dec 2024
75
72nd
Nice
Rated 02 Dec 2024
green19191green19191
Rated 21 Nov 2024
70
81st
A 3.5 star movie with great dialogue.
Rated 21 Nov 2024
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 28 Oct 2024
78
59th
Ficção americana estreava há 1 ano no Festival de Austin. É uma sátira inteligente, mas fiquei mais interessada em ler o livro do Percival Everett do que de fato me importei com o filme. Prime Vídeo.
Rated 28 Oct 2024
psimpsim
Rated 21 Oct 2024
79
69th
A clever concept executed well.
Rated 21 Oct 2024
raabeyesRaabeyes
Rated 19 Sep 2024
73
79th
Melancholy satire with occasional laugh out loud moments. Almost like a despondent “Hollywood Shuffle.”
Rated 19 Sep 2024
semioticussemioticus
Rated 04 Jul 2024
85
86th
Brilliant movie. Impressive directorial debut, amazing acting performances all around, a nuanced script with a great balance of comedy and drama. Wright and Brown are amazing in handling the subleties of their characters but honestly, everyone is great in this.
Rated 04 Jul 2024
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 27 Jun 2024
70
70th
I quite enjoyed this movie. The story and the dialog is smart and interesting throughout. Jeffrey Wright was perfect for the part. The humor is good, and the characters felt authentic, except that his brother which was somewhat out of place. It pokes fun at people who's values are skewed by trendy nonsense. Definitely worth watching.
Rated 27 Jun 2024
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 19 Jun 2024
76
68th
It being so visually and stylistically drab in that "modern standard" sort of way holds it back just a little, not much. Otherwise, it's great, executing it's brilliant premise with boatloads of wit and scathing criticism
Rated 19 Jun 2024
ceyhunk26ceyhunk26
Rated 13 Jun 2024
69
62nd
Plot 13/20 Fiction 15/20 Casting/Acting 16/20 Worldbuilding 11/20 Entertainment 14/20
Rated 13 Jun 2024
arossaross
Rated 08 Jun 2024
87
80th
The drama side of this is fine but the comedy is where it shines. I laughed a lot and enjoyed the relatively subtle level of goofiness and exaggeration this movie chooses to use compared to some satire. It doesn't go over the top like Idiocracy or Don't Look Up. There are easy to laugh at moments, but there is some deeper irony going on as well.
Rated 08 Jun 2024
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 16 May 2024
71
87th
Is it a satire of a black writer forced to pander to the demeaning prejudices of his white audience? Is it a drama about a man getting to know his family again when his sister suddenly passes away? Is it a wry meta film about it's own making? It's all of these things at once somehow with more grace, wit and wounded humanity than any other American feature film in years.
Rated 16 May 2024
grimsoothgrimsooth
Rated 16 May 2024
68
71st
A long suffering litterature writer decides to write a trash novel, is angered by its success, and resents though who like it - despite it catapulting him from an unknown writter to the riches and wide aclaim. A movie about personal tragety and failing to live up to ones own ideals, or finally reaching them only to be filled with rage and disappointment.
Rated 16 May 2024
yms_unofficialYMS unofficial
Rated 11 May 2024
10
30th
Bland, unoriginal film that doesn't live up to its meta narrative concepts. Sterling K. Brown gives the only standout performance. Poor screenplay and music. 5/10 or 10/20 rating.
Rated 11 May 2024
kadikoykadikoy
Rated 28 Apr 2024
65
62nd
Sahte başarı. Üniversite de hoca olmasına rağmen hep 1 ezik olan yazarımız, ablasını kaybedince ailesi içinde sıkışmış halde kalır. Yeni 1 aşk ve sahte 1 kitap yazınca hayatında değişimler başlar. Jeffrey Wright harika oynadığı film, sıradan 1 tempoyla ilerliyor. Aile duygusu çok başarılı. Herkes hayattan mutluluğu arar. Filmin sonunda 3 tane farklı son var. Tarafını seç demişler. İncinmişsin dedi.
Rated 28 Apr 2024
ricRic
Rated 26 Apr 2024
75
43rd
Well made
Rated 26 Apr 2024
apos26apos26
Rated 15 Apr 2024
73
70th
idiaitero kwmwdia satirizei cancel culture
Rated 15 Apr 2024
christofchristof
Rated 05 Apr 2024
88
89th
...wasn't the family housekeeper like one of those stereotypical Mammy tropes from Gone With The Wind....hang on a second...ahh, now I get it. Wow, the joke is always on me! (how easily my intelligence is flattered, not considering I was not also firmly the target of this quietly savage satire).
Rated 05 Apr 2024
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 04 Apr 2024
80
74th
I'm only taking points off because they didn't fully commit to a Scooby Doo ending. Seriously though, very much enjoyed this half race-based commentary, half family drama.
Rated 04 Apr 2024
mike365365mike365365
Rated 04 Apr 2024
64
50th
I enjoyed the film, but the finances just don't seem to add up. I'm a doctor who's been divorced, and you can definitely afford to chip in on a $5,000 a month nursing home bill. And the mom owns two houses, one of which is on the beach?
Rated 04 Apr 2024
gwaihir15Gwaihir_15
Rated 31 Mar 2024
85
73rd
Even though this film falls into the trap it criticizes as a meta-meta movie, it makes good points against capitalism, racism and the guilt-based culture of sensibility. In the end, as a happy ending, one has to adapt to the system again: "The dumber I behave, the richer I get."
Rated 31 Mar 2024
mandymandy
Rated 28 Mar 2024
6
43rd
I was expecting a bit more because of all the awards hype and found it a bit slow going although it came together by the end.
Rated 28 Mar 2024
theristheris
Rated 25 Mar 2024
60
12th
clickbated, the bigger and more significant is the family story, not monk's career. but it should've been the other way. from time to time I had a feeling that this is going to explode on idiots the same way "don't look up" did, but nope, american fiction missed the target.
Rated 25 Mar 2024
thegreyfoxthegreyfox
Rated 16 Mar 2024
85
84th
I loved this film; Brilliantly cast, acted, funny and a joy to watch. You could see Monks frustration ouse out of the screen and into his personal life away from writing, with his interactions with Coraline and Cliff trying to bring him back simply wonderful. Whilst it was a brilliant expose of the stupidity of stereotyping, I think it fell into the rather obvious trap of portraying all white people as either apologists for any black misfortune, of for gaining vicarious pleasure from it.
Rated 16 Mar 2024
frederikaFrederikA
Rated 12 Mar 2024
75
77th
Wright is amazing in the lead, and the central satirical point is great. Third act gets a bit formulaic compared to the well-written start, but it sticks the landing.
Rated 12 Mar 2024
scorpusScorpus
Rated 11 Mar 2024
85
82nd
A surprise hit with an excellent story, incredibly funny moments and some family drama elements integrated in such a way that it didn't drag too heavily into drama-comedy
Rated 11 Mar 2024
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 10 Mar 2024
75
49th
Two disparate halves that never make a whole – works as a family drama, with great work from Wright and Brown (and quiet scene stealing from Uggams) moving and involving. Unfortunately the satirical side clangs loudly, with satirical points that feel like focus group research that doesn’t really understand the opposing argument, and a clumsy employment of “meta” tropes almost undoing the whole film as a shaggy dog joke. Chalk it up to the fine performances that this works as well as it does.
Rated 10 Mar 2024
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 10 Mar 2024
82
91st
I loved this. Such a clever way to tell this story. It was ably crafted in weaving between the more fun Writer story and the more traditional Family Drama story. Wright was incredible. The scene showing him writing the book was so well done and I only wish we got more of that. I do feel like they struggled with how to end it, and the final decision was basically an acknowledgement of as much.
Rated 10 Mar 2024
kuroelKuroel
Rated 10 Mar 2024
70
80th
The story is about an academic black author who garners major literary success when catering to the woke hivemind’s preconception that all blacks are suffering the ghetto lifestyle. Especially during the current culture wars, this is a topical and poignant reminder that “victimized BIPOC-people” are not “lesser than” or pets to the virtue signaling of the more affluent. Non-white people are not predestined to disparity no more than anyone else (of similar socioeconomical background).
Rated 10 Mar 2024
dawdlingpoetDawdlingPoet
Rated 09 Mar 2024
80
79th
A quite clever sort of satire that makes some salient points about how writing/books about minorities are stereotyped and received critically. It is a sort of a comedy but certainly not a laugh out loud one, a somewhat intellectual one but a good one. I enjoyed it. The main performance by Jeffrey Wright was particularly good. Yes, I'd recommend this film.
Rated 09 Mar 2024
kasperlKasperL
Rated 07 Mar 2024
60
50th
Wright is very good, and for a movie built around eye-rolling, it's a surprisingly likeable one.
Rated 07 Mar 2024
khamulKhamul
Rated 06 Mar 2024
75
58th
It was pretty good but I expected more. It was more funny than I expected, but the drama side didn't really go anywhere. The cast was good and I have no major grievances, it just felt like a neat little movie that had a cool idea that didn't quite work. Probably had my expectations too high.
Rated 06 Mar 2024
timmotimmo
Rated 06 Mar 2024
80
44th
Extremely compelling and ultimately very sad.
Rated 06 Mar 2024
duderDuder
Rated 06 Mar 2024
75
89th
This is a minor masterpiece. A subtle one. Very fun to watch, very well directed and acted, and nuanced. Could be a lesson in screenwriting with how subtly and finely the story is woven, and it is very well directed. Just one of the small gems of the year.
Rated 06 Mar 2024
wolfwoodeWolfwoode
Rated 04 Mar 2024
98
99th
It truly was, an American Fiction.
Rated 04 Mar 2024
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 04 Mar 2024
50
33rd
Yeah, satire is cool and it works to a point, until everything seems to fall short in the second half -- family melodrama is carried by Brown, who's brilliant, but the actual literary stuff feels repetitive and just way too obvious to convey anything really smart -- it feels like an overwritten Spike Lee film. That said, it's an easy watch -- maybe too easy, which says a lot why it will probably be forgotten in a rush -- Wright is also a blast, even when the material looks subpar.
Rated 04 Mar 2024
tawdrykidtawdrykid
Rated 04 Mar 2024
65
27th
I can't believe that a movie (partially) about the harm of pandering to white audiences is up for major awards despite clearly pandering to white audiences. Very meta, well trolled.
Rated 04 Mar 2024
bzymusbzymus
Rated 03 Mar 2024
83
74th
audiovisual 85 acting 83 overall feeling 80 avg 83
Rated 03 Mar 2024
jlewisjlewis
Rated 28 Feb 2024
89
75th
Good movie. Fun, well formed characters that were easy to understand and connect with; ending felt a bit strained, trying to be too clever.
Rated 28 Feb 2024
trauttraut
Rated 27 Feb 2024
80
25th
This movie has all of that quick intellectual character wit where they reply with the kinds of things you only think of days later - you either love it or shrug at it. In its overt meta ‘award this, I dares ya’ attitude, it comes off as timed, not timeless; will it be remembered in 5yrs? doubt it Apart from the obvious message of the issue with black trauma porn, you sorta feel like you’re just watching a rich guy get upset that poor people get more attention as he fumes in his beach house.
Rated 27 Feb 2024
fluffabubbafluffabubba
Rated 25 Feb 2024
77
54th
Frizzantino
Rated 25 Feb 2024
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 20 Feb 2024
71
27th
It's far too disappointing that something that's willing to mock liberals, completely fails to criticize the Woke DEI types, who can easily embrace this, which is why it got made & Oscar noms. Notice how the film shows us that ONLY whites absolutely love Ellison's fake book. Both the Puerto Rican agent AND even Issa Rae's character - who writes similarly - dislike it. An up-to-date satire would've had Issa Rae's character insisting that the book award MUST go to a new black writer because racism
Rated 20 Feb 2024
laikalaika
Rated 19 Feb 2024
65
36th
Lovers of the novel should proceed with caution. While I know a film should not necessarily be compared to its source novel, the satire in the original is so fierce and ferocious and laugh out loud hilarious. The film waters it down significantly and it is only mildly amusing.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
madmanMadMan
Rated 19 Feb 2024
100
97th
Hilarious, moving and very timely. Wright is fantastic as usual.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
zanginZangin
Rated 19 Feb 2024
70
61st
A film divided in two: on one hand an absurd satire of how race is allowed to manifest in the art world and on the other a drama steeped in realism about a man who has chilled himself to the world. Both these halves are excellently executed and, of course, it is precisely the film's point that these two halves are so conflicting - that the needs of public life subsume our private persons. Even so though, as an audience-goer, it still felt like I was watching two halves instead of one whole
Rated 19 Feb 2024
dolphinspursDolphinSpurs
Rated 18 Feb 2024
80
49th
Make no mistake, American Fiction -- this year's black diversity invitee to all the Hollywood awards -- tiptoes into the white pandering it lampoons, but director Cord Jefferson pulls off quite the feat in keeping it light enough to make his heavy point. Jeffrey Wright is excellent as the angry & lost intellectual writer. Sterling K. Brown shines in his supporting role (Brown should be getting the 2024 Oscar buzz Charlie Melton is...). The movie insists upon itself, and rightly so. PSI: 85
Rated 18 Feb 2024
newtothelytenewtothelyte
Rated 17 Feb 2024
97
97th
A family drama that also delivers sharp criticism to the entertainment and publishing industries. This film is able to show all of life's ups and downs within a small window of the protagonist's life. One of the few films about black Americans that have nothing to do with their economic situation, but rather their character and personality, much like Love and Basketball or Get Out. One day we will relish the fact that this film and The Holdovers came out only days apart.
Rated 17 Feb 2024
coffeecoffee
Rated 16 Feb 2024
75
61st
It could've been a masterpiece... damn.. a close call is not bad anyway.
Rated 16 Feb 2024
joelwatchesmoviesjoelwatchesmovies
Rated 14 Feb 2024
6
42nd
The satire is sharp ("I just think it's really important to listen to Black voices right now") and hilarious (see the two phone calls with publishers). The family dramedy is less engaging, with its stilted dialogue and odd time jumps (see the start of his relationship with Coraline), overall feeling too much like a bunch of thrown-in subplots, at least until the end when the thematic threads of identity and narrative perspective come together in a bow-tying, white-critic-confronting meta moment.
Rated 14 Feb 2024
war_machineWar Machine
Rated 14 Feb 2024
70
54th
Enemiesseeeachotherbetterthanfriends+peoplearemorethantheirworstdeed+"Fuck"lmao+onedayyou'lllearnthatnotbeingabletorelatetopeopleisntabadgeofhonor+it'scuzthewannafeelabsolvedloolandpeoplearentintoskilltheirintowhattheywantdonesillfull/lyenough+themovielol
Rated 14 Feb 2024
indieroxIndieRox
Rated 14 Feb 2024
92
78th
Great satire of American society, the literary/academic world, and pop culture in relation to racial issues. Other aspects of the movie were not as interesting, but well acted and a good movie overall.
Rated 14 Feb 2024
ericamblerericambler
Rated 14 Feb 2024
74
57th
Terrific acting and moments of humanity elevate a head-scratcher. For a story that lampoons the tastes of the unwashed masses, it leans heavily on familiar tropes that are played completely straight. It’s a good thing that Jeffrey Wright is so on point here—the movie’s incongruities wouldn’t work without his alternately prickly and vulnerable performance. And I have to give the movie credit for exemplifying its thesis about our tendency to reduce anything that feels too painful to think about.
Rated 14 Feb 2024
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 13 Feb 2024
30
4th
In a way its hilarious that this soulless bait film is getting all this festival love. Becoming a satire of itself.
Rated 13 Feb 2024
matthagenmatthagen
Rated 12 Feb 2024
63
78th
It's somewhat more lightweight than I would like, but the tone is impeccable, the cast is stellar, and it's an enjoyable journey.
Rated 12 Feb 2024
auhasarderikauhasarderik
Rated 12 Feb 2024
7
61st
A satire that refuses to bite? A satire of a satire? A [fake] cop out? What is happening, dear world? Anyway, it's smart and funny enough to qualify as a good movie. But just so. And just like phuck, bound to be overrated.
Rated 12 Feb 2024
janusjanus
Rated 11 Feb 2024
65
41st
Was expecting The Producers but it's more like The Player with more feelings. The satire got some chuckles but seemed thin, mean, and not exactly cutting edge; later, it turns out that may have been the point. The family side of the story is simpler but feels realer. I think the most interesting thing this movie says without really saying it is that deliberately writing "bad" is great fun, actually. And our main character is exactly the kind of guy who would never admit that!
Rated 11 Feb 2024
kgbelliveaukgbelliveau
Rated 11 Feb 2024
95
91st
Well done! So cleverly written and Wright does a phenomenal job in the lead role. It is a character driven drama that accentuates the absurdities within our culture. It highlights what kinds of stories audiences eat up and definitely shows obsession within culture. Such a brilliant movie and a deep look at writing, life and the struggles that define humanity.
Rated 11 Feb 2024
kavuKavu
Rated 11 Feb 2024
92
97th
Delightfully funny and intelligent. Wright is absolutely stellar in the lead.
Rated 11 Feb 2024
pistolpetePistolPete
Rated 11 Feb 2024
82
88th
Wright's a delight. SKB steals every scene he's in. Absolutely hilarious yet sobering portrayal by him. The acting by most everyone was quite good. Incredibly effective satire mixed with real drama. The family banter in this felt so natural and unforced. That was the main highlight. A very enjoyable 8.2.
Rated 11 Feb 2024
vinegarbobVinegarBob
Rated 11 Feb 2024
75
68th
It's a cheesy high concept satire reminiscent of 80s sitcom movies, but feels a lot more grounded, due mainly to Wright's stellar acting. The supporting characters are also good, with Sterling K. Brown stealing most of the scenes he's in. The script is a bit heavy handed at times but is generally excellent, with each character feeling lived in. It's definitely worth a couple of hours of your time.
Rated 11 Feb 2024
mistephanemistephane
Rated 11 Feb 2024
80
82nd
So cynical, love it.
Rated 11 Feb 2024
karlsonkarlson
Rated 10 Feb 2024
80
77th
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 08 Feb 2024
77
64th
Good, but not quite as good as I was expecting. I expected a more comedic tone and more about the actual premise, but it's really more a good family drama/character study. There are some very funny bits, but I'd say it's more drama than comedy, with some interesting commentary. A good film, though perhaps a bit overhyped.
Rated 08 Feb 2024
mrcinemaMr.Cinema
Rated 07 Feb 2024
67
77th
Interesting innovative work!!!
Rated 07 Feb 2024
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 05 Feb 2024
4
51st
Balancing a lot of feelings about this one. On the one hand it is pretty funny but the targets it’s satirizing are a bit too on the nose. Having it set in the literary world gives a lot of white people an out to laugh at these ivory tower/bougie types of whites instead of pointing the mirror at them. On the other hand you have these people taking this down a peg for being too easy but in their reviews can only name other black satires or directors to compare this to. Enjoyable but a bit light.
Rated 05 Feb 2024
epicspongeeepicspongee
Rated 22 Jan 2024
45
10th
Boring. Don't really know what else to say.
Rated 22 Jan 2024
stuie299stuie299
Rated 17 Jan 2024
75
45th
American Fiction has some great character study elements surrounding Jeffrey Wright's fantastic performance, but beyond that everything is just kind of uneven. I feel the literary satire storyline could have been more interesting like when it occasionally probes for meta commentary, but then it quickly backtracks with some really broad and obvious humor. The family drama while not as interesting was actually done better. Not entirely bad, but nowhere good enough to justify the awards hype.
Rated 17 Jan 2024
screenzealotscreenzealot
Rated 08 Jan 2024
70
52nd
Provocative, challenging, and full of biting satire, this is a quality film: but it also feels like one that people will pretend to like a whole lot more than they actually do.
Rated 08 Jan 2024

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