Cake
A caustic chronic-pain sufferer investigates a support-group member’s suicide while an unexpected bond with the widower forces her toward her own buried grief.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- acerbic
- sardonic
- bleak
- quiet evening
- reflective viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found Jennifer Aniston's raw dramatic performance compelling, but considered the film insufficiently deep or warm and ultimately mixed overall.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Claire is described as acerbic and hilarious, while critics specifically praised the screenplay's gallows humor amid her agonized condition.
Claire's chronic pain is a defining obstacle and contributes to her estrangement from the support group and ordinary life.
Claire becomes fascinated by Nina's suicide and develops a relationship with Nina's widower while confronting her own tragedy.
Critics praised Jennifer Aniston's raw, real performance and its convincing physical embodiment of Claire's pain.
Films like Cake, and why
Manchester by the Sea
shared grief drama, emotionally damaged protagonist, and restrained performance-driven storytelling
Rabbit Hole
shared themes of depression, bereavement, and painful attempts at emotional recovery
The Savages
shared dark humor, intimate domestic drama, and a protagonist confronting unresolved personal trauma
Movie Details
- Director
- Daniel Barnz
- Release Date
- 2014-09-07
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (952)
Cast
- Jennifer Aniston
- Adriana Barraza
- Anna Kendrick
- Sam Worthington
- Mamie Gummer
- Felicity Huffman
- William H. Macy
- Chris Messina
- Lucy Punch
- Britt Robertson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Darkroom, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel
- Buy
- Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cake about?
- A caustic chronic-pain sufferer investigates a support-group member’s suicide while an unexpected bond with the widower forces her toward her own buried grief.
- What is Cake like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cake as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Cake violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Cake.
- What did critics think of Cake?
- Critics broadly found Jennifer Aniston's raw dramatic performance compelling, but considered the film insufficiently deep or warm and ultimately mixed overall.
- Which films are like Cake?
- Films with a similar feel include Manchester by the Sea, Rabbit Hole, and The Savages.
- How long is Cake?
- Cake runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cake?
- In United States, Cake streams on Philo, Darkroom, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Howdy Amazon Channel.
