Overview
A heartfelt exploration of compassion and connection in a world that often overlooks those in need.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- wistful
- thoughtful evening
- social issue film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised its compassionate, highly positive humanism and accessible blend of comedy and social drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Bruno and Malik accept autistic children and teenagers whom other institutions have refused to serve.
The central organizations train caregivers and maintain long-term support for extreme cases.
The film combines witty, appreciative observation with the demanding realities of autism care and nonprofit work.
Bruno and Malik run separate nonprofit organizations while collaborating on shared caregiving challenges.
Films like The Specials, and why
The Intouchables
Shared compassionate social drama, uplifting humanism, and focus on marginalized people supported by committed caregivers.
The Class
Shared French social realism, warm comedy-drama tone, and institutions struggling to care for vulnerable people.
The Choir
Shared ensemble-based social drama, understated wit, and attention to overlooked communities navigating imperfect systems.
Movie Details
- Directors
- Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache
- Release Date
- 2019-10-23
- Runtime
- 114 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (1005)
Cast
- Vincent Cassel
- Reda Kateb
- Hélène Vincent
- Bryan Mialoundama
- Alban Ivanov
- Benjamin Lesieur
- Marco Locatelli
- Catherine Mouchet
- Frédéric Pierrot
- Suliane Brahim
Common questions
- What is The Specials about?
- Two nonprofit leaders build an improvised caregiving network for autistic young people rejected by the formal system.
- What is The Specials like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Specials as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Specials violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Specials.
- What did critics think of The Specials?
- Critics broadly praised its compassionate, highly positive humanism and accessible blend of comedy and social drama.
- Which films are like The Specials?
- Films with a similar feel include The Intouchables, The Class, and The Choir.
- How long is The Specials?
- The Specials runs 114 minutes.
