Puzzle
A neglected suburban mother discovers competitive puzzle solving and begins assembling a life that belongs to her.
Overview
A suburban mother's life transforms when she discovers her passion for puzzles, challenging her family's dynamics.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- gentle
- intimate
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an honest, humane, good-hearted character drama elevated by Kelly Macdonald’s understated performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Agnes moves from serving the men in her family to pursuing competitive puzzle solving and a more independent identity.
Agnes is defined by caring for her husband, sons, and household until her puzzle talent makes her absence from her own life visible.
Assembling jigsaw puzzles gives Agnes a skill, challenge, and social world beyond suburban domestic repetition.
The film’s suburban settings and puzzle-solving scenes are shaped by the richly lit, atmospheric imagery noted in its critical reception.
Films like Puzzle, and why
The Hours
shared understated self-actualization drama, suburban dissatisfaction, and woman-centered emotional realism
A Quiet Passion
shared intimate character study of a constrained woman seeking independence through an unexpected creative pursuit
The Spitfire Grill
shared gentle, wistful drama about domestic routines, emotional awakening, and reclaiming personal agency
Enough Said
shared good-hearted independent drama centered on middle-aged reinvention and family adjustment
Movie Details
- Director
- Marc Turtletaub
- Release Date
- 2018-07-27
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (200)
Cast
- Kelly Macdonald
- Irrfan Khan
- David Denman
- Daniel Stewart Sherman
- Austin Abrams
- Bubba Weiler
- Helen Coxe
- Mandela Bellamy
- Liv Hewson
- Lori Hammel
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Puzzle about?
- A neglected suburban mother discovers competitive puzzle solving and begins assembling a life that belongs to her.
- What is Puzzle like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Puzzle as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Puzzle violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Puzzle.
- What did critics think of Puzzle?
- Critics broadly found the film an honest, humane, good-hearted character drama elevated by Kelly Macdonald’s understated performance.
- Which films are like Puzzle?
- Films with a similar feel include The Hours, A Quiet Passion, The Spitfire Grill, and Enough Said.
- How long is Puzzle?
- Puzzle runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch Puzzle?
- In United States, Puzzle is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
