Joe Bell
A grieving father turns a cross-country anti-bullying campaign into a painful reckoning with the son and family life he failed to fully see.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- earnest
- heartfelt
- reflective evening
- social justice film night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film heartfelt and emotionally sincere, especially praising Reid Miller, but considered its anti-bullying message undermined by formulaic and didactic storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joe's anti-bullying walk gradually forces him to recognize how his own limited response contributed to his distance from Jadin.
Joe walks across the United States to raise awareness about bullying and homophobia after Jadin's suffering.
Jadin is tormented in high school for being gay and struggles to receive meaningful support from adults.
The cross-country walk is intercut with flashbacks and flash-forwards involving Jadin, Joe, and the family.
Films like Joe Bell, and why
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
shared anti-bullying social drama, queer coming-of-age themes, and emotionally direct storytelling
Prayers for Bobby
shared lgbtq+ identity, family conflict, homophobia, and bittersweet coming-of-age drama
The Normal Heart
shared true-story social conscience, parental grief, and advocacy against prejudice
Manchester by the Sea
shared intimate family drama centered on grief, guilt, and emotional reconciliation
Movie Details
- Director
- Reinaldo Marcus Green
- Release Date
- 2020-09-14
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (271)
Cast
- Mark Wahlberg
- Reid Miller
- Connie Britton
- Maxwell Jenkins
- Morgan Lily
- Gary Sinise
- Tara Buck
- Ash Santos
- Igby Rigney
- Cindy Perez
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
- 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 Joe Bell about?
- A grieving father turns a cross-country anti-bullying campaign into a painful reckoning with the son and family life he failed to fully see.
- What is Joe Bell like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Joe Bell as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Joe Bell violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Joe Bell as mild.
- What did critics think of Joe Bell?
- Critics generally found the film heartfelt and emotionally sincere, especially praising Reid Miller, but considered its anti-bullying message undermined by formulaic and didactic storytelling.
- Which films are like Joe Bell?
- Films with a similar feel include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Prayers for Bobby, The Normal Heart, and Manchester by the Sea.
- How long is Joe Bell?
- Joe Bell runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Joe Bell?
- In United States, Joe Bell streams on Hulu.
