Overview
A punk rock romance unfolds against the backdrop of America's fading suburbs, where love knows no boundaries.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- irreverent
- witty
- surreal
- date night
- indie movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a surreal, hilarious, and ingeniously written outsider romance anchored by knockout ensemble performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Simon and Patty connect through shared marginalization, punk fandom, and rejection of suburban conformity.
The protagonists’ confrontational behavior, punk sensibility, and surreal encounters drive the screenplay’s aggressive humor.
The journey moves through deteriorating Midwestern suburban environments portrayed as hostile to difference and self-expression.
Patty’s obsession with Simon’s punk band becomes the unexpected bridge to their relationship.
Films like Dinner in America, and why
Harold and Maude
irreverent outsider romance, abrasive humor, and unconventional young protagonists
Repo Man
punk-adjacent rebellion, outsider characters, and anarchic romantic comedy
Welcome to the Dollhouse
offbeat romance, darkly comic social satire, and eccentric misfit chemistry
SubUrbia
youthful alienation, subcultural identity, and energetic unconventional romance
Movie Details
- Director
- Adam Rehmeier
- Release Date
- 2020-05-27
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (288)
Cast
- Kyle Gallner
- Emily Skeggs
- Pat Healy
- Griffin Gluck
- Lea Thompson
- Mary Lynn Rajskub
- Ryan Malgarini
- Nick Chinlund
- Kristin Condon
- Shelby Alayne Antel
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 Dinner in America about?
- Two misfit outsiders turn a reckless trek through decaying suburbia into a profane, punk-fueled romance.
- What is Dinner in America like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Dinner in America as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Dinner in America violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Dinner in America as mild.
- What did critics think of Dinner in America?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a surreal, hilarious, and ingeniously written outsider romance anchored by knockout ensemble performances.
- Which films are like Dinner in America?
- Films with a similar feel include Harold and Maude, Repo Man, Welcome to the Dollhouse, and SubUrbia.
- How long is Dinner in America?
- Dinner in America runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch Dinner in America?
- In United States, Dinner in America is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
