Overview
A young man faces the ultimate test of friendship and resilience as he battles cancer with humor and heart.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- raunchy
- sincere
- reflective movie night
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's sophisticated blend of bawdy comedy and cancer-related pathos, especially its cast and depiction of male friendship.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Adam's spinal cancer diagnosis is treated with bawdy jokes, awkward conversations, and genuine emotional consequences.
Kyle supports Adam through treatment while their joking relationship gradually reveals deep loyalty and tenderness.
Adam's young therapist Katherine becomes an important source of emotional guidance as he navigates illness.
Adam's mother Diane struggles to protect and support him while intensifying the family's emotional tension.
Films like 50/50, and why
The Big Sick
shared balance of illness drama, dark humor, emotional vulnerability, and grounded friendship
The Fault in Our Stars
shared cancer-centered drama, frank comedy, intimate relationships, and bittersweet emotional realism
I Love You, Man
shared male friendship, raunchy humor, grief, and sincere emotional transformation
The Bucket List
shared hospital setting, mortality themes, comedic resilience, and strong ensemble performances
Movie Details
- Director
- Jonathan Levine
- Release Date
- 2011-09-30
- Runtime
- 100 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (4274)
Cast
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt
- Seth Rogen
- Anna Kendrick
- Bryce Dallas Howard
- Anjelica Huston
- Serge Houde
- Philip Baker Hall
- Matt Frewer
- Andrew Airlie
- Peter Kelamis
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, 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 50/50 about?
- A young radio writer facing spinal cancer discovers that friendship, family, and honest emotional connection matter more than his carefully managed independence.
- What is 50/50 like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of 50/50 as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is 50/50 violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in 50/50.
- What did critics think of 50/50?
- Critics broadly praised the film's sophisticated blend of bawdy comedy and cancer-related pathos, especially its cast and depiction of male friendship.
- Which films are like 50/50?
- Films with a similar feel include The Big Sick, The Fault in Our Stars, I Love You, Man, and The Bucket List.
- How long is 50/50?
- 50/50 runs 100 minutes.
- Where can I watch 50/50?
- In United States, 50/50 streams on Amazon Prime Video, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Howdy Amazon Channel.
