Detachment
A withdrawn substitute teacher finds fragile purpose when a failing public school forces him to care about the people he has spent his life avoiding.
Overview
An educator grapples with his own demons while igniting hope in a lost generation.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- bleak
- melancholic
- compassionate
- reflective viewing
- discussion group
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film emotionally committed and strongly performed, but felt its passionate critique of educational and social dysfunction offered few solutions.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Henry works as a substitute teacher specifically to prevent attachment to students and colleagues.
The school is defined by burned-out administrators, apathetic students, and broader educational inequality.
Henry confronts a seemingly loveless world while forming compassionate connections with students, teachers, and a runaway teen.
Henry becomes a role model for students while his relationships with them challenge his own isolation.
Films like Detachment, and why
Half Nelson
shared focus on emotionally isolated educators, troubled students, and institutional failure in a serious school drama
The Class
shared themes of educational inequality, damaged mentorship, and a teacher struggling with personal trauma
Dangerous Minds
shared bleak social realism, vulnerable young people, and an idealistic adult confronting a failing institution
American History X
shared melancholic character study of alienation, compassion, and attempts to connect within a harsh social environment
Movie Details
- Director
- Tony Kaye
- Release Date
- 2011-04-24
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (2095)
Cast
- Adrien Brody
- Marcia Gay Harden
- James Caan
- Christina Hendricks
- Lucy Liu
- Blythe Danner
- Tim Blake Nelson
- William L. Petersen
- Bryan Cranston
- Sami Gayle
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Detachment about?
- A withdrawn substitute teacher finds fragile purpose when a failing public school forces him to care about the people he has spent his life avoiding.
- What is Detachment like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Detachment as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Detachment violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Detachment as mild.
- What did critics think of Detachment?
- Critics broadly found the film emotionally committed and strongly performed, but felt its passionate critique of educational and social dysfunction offered few solutions.
- Which films are like Detachment?
- Films with a similar feel include Half Nelson, The Class, Dangerous Minds, and American History X.
- How long is Detachment?
- Detachment runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Detachment?
- In United States, Detachment is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
