Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- macabre
- witty
- emotionally bruising
- thoughtful movie night
- dark comedy night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film to be a sharply observed, darkly comic family mystery elevated by layered performances, especially from Nicole Kidman and Jason Bateman.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Caleb and Camille repeatedly use Annie and Baxter in provocative childhood performances, leaving lasting resentment and dysfunction.
The siblings investigate their parents’ disappearance while disagreeing over whether it is another conceptual prank.
The Fang parents’ public performances are quirky, satirical, and often gory, shaping the film’s darkly playful atmosphere.
Flashbacks reveal how the siblings were shaped by their parents’ disturbing performances and attention-seeking methods.
Films like The Family Fang, and why
The Royal Tenenbaums
shared darkly comic family dysfunction, mystery elements, and emotionally layered sibling relationships
Running with Scissors
shared eccentric parents, damaged adult children, deadpan humor, and bittersweet domestic drama
The Ice Storm
shared disappearance mystery, dysfunctional family dynamics, and shifting comic-dramatic tone
Little Miss Sunshine
shared macabre humor, unconventional family relationships, and theatrical eccentricity
Movie Details
- Director
- Jason Bateman
- Release Date
- 2016-04-16
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (353)
Cast
- Jason Bateman
- Nicole Kidman
- Christopher Walken
- Maryann Plunkett
- Marin Ireland
- Kathryn Hahn
- Jason Butler Harner
- Ali Wentworth
- Harris Yulin
- Michael Chernus
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel
- 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 Family Fang about?
- Estranged siblings investigate their parents’ disappearance and confront the bizarre artistic legacy that shaped their damaged family.
- What is The Family Fang like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Family Fang as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Family Fang violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Family Fang as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Family Fang?
- Critics broadly found the film to be a sharply observed, darkly comic family mystery elevated by layered performances, especially from Nicole Kidman and Jason Bateman.
- Which films are like The Family Fang?
- Films with a similar feel include The Royal Tenenbaums, Running with Scissors, The Ice Storm, and Little Miss Sunshine.
- How long is The Family Fang?
- The Family Fang runs 106 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Family Fang?
- In United States, The Family Fang streams on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Starz Apple TV channel.
