Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- sardonic
- tense
- bleak
- late night viewing
- crime film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film a tense, well-acted black comedy and revenge drama whose ensemble performances give emotional force to its dark material.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Terrance, Packie, and Frank turn their lifelong bond into the basis for retaliatory action after an incident involving Frank's daughter.
The friends' banter and drunken social rituals coexist with threats, humiliation, and revenge.
The garage, bar culture, ex-con history, drug economy, and local resentment shape the characters' decisions.
The early gathering of the three friends presents itself as informal camaraderie while concealing the purpose of their meeting.
Films like Small Engine Repair, and why
The Banshees of Inisherin
darkly comic male friendship, working-class resentment, and escalating revenge
Killer Joe
volatile friendship, masculine insecurity, and grim black humor surrounding criminal violence
The Friends of Eddie Coyle
working-class crime drama combining emotional intimacy, betrayal, and sudden brutality
Movie Details
- Director
- John Pollono
- Release Date
- 2021-09-10
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (105)
Cast
- Jon Bernthal
- Shea Whigham
- Jordana Spiro
- John Pollono
- Ciara Bravo
- Spencer House
- Jennifer Pollono
- Joshua Bitton
- Michael Redfield
- Josh Helman
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 Small Engine Repair about?
- Three damaged New Hampshire friends transform a night of rough camaraderie into a dangerous reckoning over the protection of a daughter.
- What is Small Engine Repair like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Small Engine Repair as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Small Engine Repair violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Small Engine Repair as brutal.
- What did critics think of Small Engine Repair?
- Critics broadly found the film a tense, well-acted black comedy and revenge drama whose ensemble performances give emotional force to its dark material.
- Which films are like Small Engine Repair?
- Films with a similar feel include The Banshees of Inisherin, Killer Joe, and The Friends of Eddie Coyle.
- How long is Small Engine Repair?
- Small Engine Repair runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Small Engine Repair?
- In United States, Small Engine Repair streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
