Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- sardonic
- abrasive
- reflective evening
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that the strong cast, especially Jake Gyllenhaal, could not fully overcome a confused story that reaches for profundity but often falls into cliché.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Davis responds to his wife's death by writing obsessive complaint letters and dismantling the structures and possessions surrounding his former life.
Davis's successful professional and marital identity collapses, leading him to reconstruct himself through disruptive choices and new relationships.
The vending-machine complaint and Davis's increasingly disruptive conduct turn emotional numbness and bereavement into uncomfortable dark comedy.
Davis's letters to a vending-machine company reveal personal admissions and bring him into contact with customer-service representative Karen.
Films like Demolition, and why
The Descendants
Shared grief-driven character study, emotionally unsettled protagonist, and darkly comic tone.
A Single Man
Shared themes of mourning, emotional disconnection, and rebuilding through an unlikely relationship.
Young Adult
Shared offbeat drama-comedy blend, damaged central character, and unconventional path toward emotional renewal.
Movie Details
- Director
- Jean-Marc Vallée
- Release Date
- 2016-04-06
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (2628)
Cast
- Jake Gyllenhaal
- Naomi Watts
- Chris Cooper
- Judah Lewis
- C.J. Wilson
- Polly Draper
- Malachy Cleary
- Debra Monk
- Heather Lind
- Wass Stevens
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 Demolition about?
- A grieving Wall Street financier tears apart his carefully constructed life before an unlikely friendship teaches him how to rebuild it.
- What is Demolition like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Demolition as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Demolition violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Demolition as mild.
- What did critics think of Demolition?
- Critics broadly agreed that the strong cast, especially Jake Gyllenhaal, could not fully overcome a confused story that reaches for profundity but often falls into cliché.
- Which films are like Demolition?
- Films with a similar feel include The Descendants, A Single Man, and Young Adult.
- How long is Demolition?
- Demolition runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch Demolition?
- In United States, Demolition is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
