Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- earnest
- whimsical
- lazy sunday
- travel inspiration
What critics said
Critics broadly found Simon Pegg charming but felt the film's sentimental, schmaltzy approach weakened its international happiness quest.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hector leaves his psychiatric practice and travels through several continents while investigating what produces happiness.
Hector feels fraudulent dispensing recommendations to patients because he does not believe he has found happiness himself.
Hector's international departure disrupts his established life with Clara and gives his personal crisis a romantic stake.
The film moves from Hector's lackluster routine into varied environments across Europe, Africa, and China.
Films like Hector and the Search for Happiness, and why
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
shared international travel, introspective self-discovery, gentle comedy, and an emotionally hopeful search for meaning
The Ultimate Gift
shared uplifting quest narrative, global locations, life lessons, and sentimental adventure drama
Serendipity
shared romantic self-discovery, chance encounters, and earnest pursuit of personal happiness
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Chelsom
- Release Date
- 2014-08-14
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (993)
Cast
- Simon Pegg
- Rosamund Pike
- Toni Collette
- Stellan Skarsgård
- Christopher Plummer
- Jean Reno
- Barry Atsma
- Veronica Ferres
- Ming Zhao
- Tracy-Ann Oberman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, 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 Hector and the Search for Happiness about?
- A disillusioned psychiatrist leaves his stagnant routine behind for a globe-spanning, often whimsical investigation into what makes people genuinely happy.
- What is Hector and the Search for Happiness like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hector and the Search for Happiness as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Hector and the Search for Happiness violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Hector and the Search for Happiness.
- What did critics think of Hector and the Search for Happiness?
- Critics broadly found Simon Pegg charming but felt the film's sentimental, schmaltzy approach weakened its international happiness quest.
- Which films are like Hector and the Search for Happiness?
- Films with a similar feel include The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Ultimate Gift, and Serendipity.
- How long is Hector and the Search for Happiness?
- Hector and the Search for Happiness runs 114 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hector and the Search for Happiness?
- In United States, Hector and the Search for Happiness streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
