Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- earnest
- poignant
- socially conscious
- social justice film night
- quiet evening
What critics said
Critics generally found the film well-intentioned and emotionally sincere but undermined by cardboard characters and a by-the-numbers dramatic structure.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree fight publicly for access to Laurel’s pension benefits while facing terminal illness and institutional resistance.
Laurel’s police department and county authorities control the pension decision that determines Stacie’s financial security.
Laurel’s cancer diagnosis gives the pension campaign an urgent deadline and shapes the couple’s choices.
The film focuses on hearings, advocacy, police-community relationships, and pension policy as sites of LGBTQ+ equality activism.
Films like Freeheld, and why
Carol
shared LGBTQ+ relationship drama, social equality themes, and restrained emotional intensity
Milk
shared true-events drama about marginalized people confronting institutional discrimination and public resistance
Love Story
shared cancer-centered romance, caregiving, and bittersweet emotional atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Peter Sollett
- Release Date
- 2015-10-02
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (681)
Cast
- Julianne Moore
- Elliot Page
- Steve Carell
- Michael Shannon
- Luke Grimes
- Josh Charles
- Mary Birdsong
- Dennis Boutsikaris
- Skipp Sudduth
- Jeannine Kaspar
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon 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 Freeheld about?
- A terminally ill New Jersey police lieutenant and her partner confront institutional prejudice in a desperate fight to protect their shared future.
- What is Freeheld like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Freeheld as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Freeheld violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Freeheld.
- What did critics think of Freeheld?
- Critics generally found the film well-intentioned and emotionally sincere but undermined by cardboard characters and a by-the-numbers dramatic structure.
- Which films are like Freeheld?
- Films with a similar feel include Carol, Milk, and Love Story.
- How long is Freeheld?
- Freeheld runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Freeheld?
- In United States, Freeheld streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel.
