Mass
Four grieving parents confront the unbearable legacy of a school shooting in a raw, intimate search for forgiveness.
Overview
A poignant exploration of grief and the quest for understanding in the aftermath of tragedy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- harrowing
- intimate
- reflective
- serious viewing
- quiet evening
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Fran Kranz's austere direction, realistic writing, and four lead performances for turning a difficult subject into a harrowing yet cathartic chamber drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The four parents meet in a church basement, and the prolonged conversation constitutes nearly the entire dramatic setting.
The parents of the shooter and the victim meet face-to-face and gradually confront anger, guilt, and loss.
The school shooting remains an offscreen originating tragedy while the film focuses on its emotional aftermath and the parents' exchange.
The couples attempt to move forward while wrestling with whether forgiveness can coexist with grief and responsibility.
Films like Mass, and why
Doubt
contained grief drama centered on an emotionally difficult conversation and exceptional performances
The Forgiveness of Blood
austere, intimate drama about guilt, mourning, and the possibility of forgiveness
Carnage
emotionally intense chamber drama using painful dialogue to explore family trauma
Rabbit Hole
quiet, performance-led examination of grief and moral responsibility after tragedy
Movie Details
- Director
- Fran Kranz
- Release Date
- 2021-10-08
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (320)
Cast
- Martha Plimpton
- Jason Isaacs
- Ann Dowd
- Reed Birney
- Breeda Wool
- Michelle N. Carter
- Kagen Albright
- Michael White
- Campbell Spoor
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- 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 Mass about?
- Four grieving parents confront the unbearable legacy of a school shooting in a raw, intimate search for forgiveness.
- What is Mass like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mass as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mass violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Mass.
- What did critics think of Mass?
- Critics broadly praised Fran Kranz's austere direction, realistic writing, and four lead performances for turning a difficult subject into a harrowing yet cathartic chamber drama.
- Which films are like Mass?
- Films with a similar feel include Doubt, The Forgiveness of Blood, Carnage, and Rabbit Hole.
- How long is Mass?
- Mass runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mass?
- In United States, Mass streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
