Overview
A rebellious teenager grapples with family expectations and his own identity in a summer of self-discovery.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sardonic
- restless
- late night viewing
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a sharply observed and ruthlessly honest coming-of-age comedy-drama with strong wit and performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Igby rejects his family’s wealthy East Coast world and regards its values as emotionally corrupt.
Igby repeatedly escapes or is expelled from prep schools and a military academy while resisting imposed expectations.
The controlling Mimi, institutionalized father, and conformist brother make family dysfunction both painful and sharply comic.
Igby hides out in New York while working on property renovations and navigating relationships with Rachel and Sookie.
Films like Igby Goes Down, and why
The Catcher in the Rye
acerbic coming-of-age perspective, alienated adolescent protagonist, and critique of privileged family life
Rushmore
darkly witty teen alienation, dysfunctional family dynamics, and emotionally bruised self-discovery
The Royal Tenenbaums
biting upper-class satire, troubled youth, and melancholic coming-of-age storytelling
The Squid and the Whale
rebellious adolescent viewpoint, family dysfunction, and sharp comic-drama tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Burr Steers
- Release Date
- 2002-09-13
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (361)
Cast
- Kieran Culkin
- Susan Sarandon
- Jeff Goldblum
- Claire Danes
- Jared Harris
- Amanda Peet
- Ryan Phillippe
- Bill Pullman
- Rory Culkin
- Peter Anthony Tambakis
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Igby Goes Down about?
- A caustically funny Manhattan summer forces a rebellious heir to confront the family and privilege he has spent his life rejecting.
- What is Igby Goes Down like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Igby Goes Down as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Igby Goes Down violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Igby Goes Down as mild.
- What did critics think of Igby Goes Down?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a sharply observed and ruthlessly honest coming-of-age comedy-drama with strong wit and performances.
- Which films are like Igby Goes Down?
- Films with a similar feel include The Catcher in the Rye, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Squid and the Whale.
- How long is Igby Goes Down?
- Igby Goes Down runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch Igby Goes Down?
- In United States, Igby Goes Down streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
