Things We Lost in the Fire
After her husband's death, a grieving widow and his heroin-addicted best friend struggle toward recovery by becoming unlikely sources of support for one another.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- intimate
- harrowing
- reflective evening
- quiet weekend
What critics said
Critics generally found the film well acted and beautifully filmed, praising its reflection on grief, addiction, and recovery while noting pacing issues, melodrama, and divisive handheld visual mannerisms.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Audrey tries to help Jerry overcome heroin addiction while Jerry supports Audrey and her children after Brian's death.
The film uses herky-jerky handheld images, desaturated colors, and frequent close-ups of characters' eyes.
Audrey, her children, and Jerry struggle with the practical and emotional consequences of Brian's death.
Jerry's bond with his boyhood friend Brian continues to shape his relationship with Brian's widow after the funeral.
Films like Things We Lost in the Fire, and why
The Lost Daughter
shared grief-centered drama, addiction recovery, and emotionally raw character work
Rabbit Hole
shared intimate domestic grief, fractured relationships, and understated emotional intensity
The Fighter
shared addiction, friendship, redemption, and powerful lead performances
Manchester by the Sea
shared bereavement, family strain, and melancholic recovery drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Susanne Bier
- Release Date
- 2007-09-26
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (404)
Cast
- Halle Berry
- Benicio del Toro
- David Duchovny
- Alison Lohman
- Omar Benson Miller
- John Carroll Lynch
- Alexis Llewellyn
- Micah Berry
- Sarah Dubrovsky
- Liam James
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- JustWatch TV, 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 Things We Lost in the Fire about?
- After her husband's death, a grieving widow and his heroin-addicted best friend struggle toward recovery by becoming unlikely sources of support for one another.
- What is Things We Lost in the Fire like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Things We Lost in the Fire as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Things We Lost in the Fire violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Things We Lost in the Fire as mild.
- What did critics think of Things We Lost in the Fire?
- Critics generally found the film well acted and beautifully filmed, praising its reflection on grief, addiction, and recovery while noting pacing issues, melodrama, and divisive handheld visual mannerisms.
- Which films are like Things We Lost in the Fire?
- Films with a similar feel include The Lost Daughter, Rabbit Hole, The Fighter, and Manchester by the Sea.
- How long is Things We Lost in the Fire?
- Things We Lost in the Fire runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Things We Lost in the Fire?
- In United States, Things We Lost in the Fire is available to rent or buy from JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
