Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- tender
- awkward
- lazy sunday
- quiet night in
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a grounded, resonant coming-of-age dramedy, especially for its father-son relationship and Craig Robinson's performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Morris navigates African-American identity, German youth culture, and a language barrier after moving to Heidelberg.
Curtis and Morris are isolated together in Germany, while both struggle to communicate their vulnerabilities.
Morris uses hip-hop and rapping to process alienation and gradually reveal himself to others.
The film emphasizes awkward social encounters, quiet companionship, and emotionally restrained family moments.
Films like Morris from America, and why
The Edge of Seventeen
coming-of-age drama centered on cultural displacement, adolescent awkwardness, and an emotionally complicated parent-child bond
Sing Street
warm, character-driven coming-of-age story about friendship, social alienation, and finding confidence through creative expression
The Way Way Back
witty and tender exploration of adolescence, outsider identity, and father-son connection against a culturally specific setting
Rocks
independent coming-of-age drama combining racial identity, youth culture, romance, and a guarded parent-child relationship
Movie Details
- Director
- Chad Hartigan
- Release Date
- 2016-08-19
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (120)
Cast
- Markees Christmas
- Craig Robinson
- Carla Juri
- Lina Keller
- Jakub Gierszał
- Eva Löbau
- Levin Henning
- Patrick Güldenberg
- Leon Badenhop
- Marie Löschhorn
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo
- 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 Morris from America about?
- A guarded Black teenager in Germany finds tentative belonging through rap, first love, and a complicated bond with his soccer-coach father.
- What is Morris from America like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Morris from America as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Morris from America violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Morris from America.
- What did critics think of Morris from America?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a grounded, resonant coming-of-age dramedy, especially for its father-son relationship and Craig Robinson's performance.
- Which films are like Morris from America?
- Films with a similar feel include The Edge of Seventeen, Sing Street, The Way Way Back, and Rocks.
- How long is Morris from America?
- Morris from America runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch Morris from America?
- In United States, Morris from America streams on Philo.
