Overview
A poignant exploration of love and loss, where the past shapes the present.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- wistful
- melancholic
- witty
- reflective evening
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a witty, deeply poignant, and stylistically distinctive multigenerational romance anchored by strong performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Oliver's present relationship with Anna is intercut with memories of Georgia, Hal's coming out, and family history.
Hal comes out after Georgia's death and embraces an open, joyful life with Andy.
Oliver turns toward Anna while processing Hal's death and the renewed connection he had with his father.
Oliver inherits Arthur, Hal's needy Jack Russell terrier, during a period of romantic and emotional uncertainty.
Films like Beginners, and why
The Kids Are All Right
shared bittersweet romantic drama, unconventional family dynamics, and emotionally open indie sensibility
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
shared wistful relationship comedy, grief, intimacy, and gently eccentric visual storytelling
The Way He Looks
shared multigenerational romance, melancholy humor, and queer family themes
Away We Go
shared warm dramedy tone, personal loss, and unconventional approaches to love and family
Movie Details
- Director
- Mike Mills
- Release Date
- 2011-06-03
- Runtime
- 105 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (1179)
Cast
- Ewan McGregor
- Christopher Plummer
- Mélanie Laurent
- Goran Višnjić
- Kai Lennox
- Mary Page Keller
- Keegan Boos
- China Shavers
- Melissa Tang
- Amanda Payton
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 Beginners about?
- A grieving graphic artist learns to risk intimacy by reckoning with his parents’ complicated love and his father’s late-in-life liberation.
- What is Beginners like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Beginners as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Beginners violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Beginners.
- What did critics think of Beginners?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a witty, deeply poignant, and stylistically distinctive multigenerational romance anchored by strong performances.
- Which films are like Beginners?
- Films with a similar feel include The Kids Are All Right, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Way He Looks, and Away We Go.
- How long is Beginners?
- Beginners runs 105 minutes.
- Where can I watch Beginners?
- In United States, Beginners streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
