The End of the Tour
A young journalist’s intense five-day interview with David Foster Wallace becomes a searching portrait of literary fame, envy, authenticity, and unexpected connection.
Overview
A profound exploration of the mind of a literary genius and the journalist who seeks to understand him.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- intellectual
- witty
- intimate
- quiet evening
- literary film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a smartly unconventional and profoundly poignant conversation elevated by Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg’s performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film structures its central drama around David Lipsky's five-day interview with David Foster Wallace after the publication of Infinite Jest.
Wallace's sudden fame and Lipsky's ambition shape their exchanges about authorship, authenticity, and cultural attention.
The reporter and novelist move through homes, cars, restaurants, and tour stops across the Midwest during a five-day road journey.
Jason Segel's acclaimed portrayal presents Wallace through domestic habits, evasions, humor, and moments of discomfort rather than grand biographical spectacle.
Films like The End of the Tour, and why
The Lives of Others
intellectually conversational biographical drama centered on a charged relationship between two writers
Wonder Boys
writer-focused drama combining literary ambition, self-invention, and emotionally revealing dialogue
Before Sunrise
intimate road movie with reflective conversations, masculine vulnerability, and bittersweet humanism
Capote
literary biographical drama driven by performance, creative rivalry, and psychological tension
Movie Details
- Director
- James Ponsoldt
- Release Date
- 2015-07-31
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (632)
Cast
- Jason Segel
- Jesse Eisenberg
- Mamie Gummer
- Mickey Sumner
- Johnny Otto
- Anna Chlumsky
- Joan Cusack
- Becky Ann Baker
- Ron Livingston
- Stephanie Cotton
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, IndieFlix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 End of the Tour about?
- A young journalist’s intense five-day interview with David Foster Wallace becomes a searching portrait of literary fame, envy, authenticity, and unexpected connection.
- What is The End of the Tour like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The End of the Tour as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The End of the Tour violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The End of the Tour.
- What did critics think of The End of the Tour?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a smartly unconventional and profoundly poignant conversation elevated by Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg’s performances.
- Which films are like The End of the Tour?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lives of Others, Wonder Boys, Before Sunrise, and Capote.
- How long is The End of the Tour?
- The End of the Tour runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch The End of the Tour?
- In United States, The End of the Tour streams on Netflix, IndieFlix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
