Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- provocative
- unsettling
- thought-provoking movie night
- date night for challenging romance
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be a hard-hitting, provocative return to Neil LaBute's themes of cruelty and manipulation in relationships.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Evelyn's relationship with Adam centers on manipulating his appearance, behavior, and social identity under the guise of artistic transformation.
Evelyn frames increasingly hurtful interventions in Adam's life as artistic or personal improvement.
Adam's makeover and changing conduct alter how he relates to Jenny, Philip, and his own former self.
The college environment concentrates Adam, Evelyn, Jenny, and Philip into a small network of friendships and romantic influence.
Films like The Shape of Things, and why
In the Company of Men
relationship-centered psychological cruelty, abrasive romantic dynamics, and morally corrosive manipulation
The Last Days of Disco
darkly comic romantic manipulation, unsettling interpersonal power games, and theatrical dialogue
Closer
provocative relationship drama blending romance, betrayal, and emotionally uncomfortable social observation
Movie Details
- Director
- Neil LaBute
- Release Date
- 2003-07-24
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (156)
Cast
- Paul Rudd
- Gretchen Mol
- Rachel Weisz
- Frederick Weller
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Shape of Things about?
- A vulnerable college student embraces radical self-reinvention under an artist's seductive influence, only to find his friendships and identity transformed into materials for her darker vision.
- What is The Shape of Things like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Shape of Things as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Shape of Things violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Shape of Things.
- What did critics think of The Shape of Things?
- Critics broadly found the film to be a hard-hitting, provocative return to Neil LaBute's themes of cruelty and manipulation in relationships.
- Which films are like The Shape of Things?
- Films with a similar feel include In the Company of Men, The Last Days of Disco, and Closer.
- How long is The Shape of Things?
- The Shape of Things runs 96 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Shape of Things?
- In United States, The Shape of Things is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
