Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- unsentimental
- wry
- intimate
- reflective evening
- independent film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's restrained, compassionate treatment of alcoholism and Mary Elizabeth Winstead's emotionally generous performance, while some found its recovery narrative underdeveloped.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Kate attends a support group and must rebuild her daily life while confronting the consequences of alcoholism.
Kate's recovery directly destabilizes her marriage to the still-drinking Charlie.
The film presents addiction, work, and marital deterioration through an intimate, non-voyeuristic register.
Kate's job as a teacher brings her into contact with ex-addict colleague Dave and the support that helps begin her recovery.
Films like Smashed, and why
Rachel Getting Married
shared addiction recovery drama, emotional restraint, and intimate character focus
The Lost Weekend
shared alcoholism-centered domestic drama with naturalistic performances and difficult self-reckoning
28 Days
shared compassionate addiction narrative balancing sober realism with warmth and humor
Blue Valentine
shared understated relationship drama about personal transformation and emotional accountability
Movie Details
- Director
- James Ponsoldt
- Release Date
- 2012-01-22
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (313)
Cast
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead
- Aaron Paul
- Octavia Spencer
- Nick Offerman
- Megan Mullally
- Mary Kay Place
- Kyle Gallner
- Mackenzie Davis
- Bree Turner
- Brad Carter
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu
- 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 Smashed about?
- A teacher’s decision to get sober forces her to confront the unraveling marriage and identity built around her drinking.
- What is Smashed like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Smashed as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Smashed violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Smashed.
- What did critics think of Smashed?
- Critics broadly praised the film's restrained, compassionate treatment of alcoholism and Mary Elizabeth Winstead's emotionally generous performance, while some found its recovery narrative underdeveloped.
- Which films are like Smashed?
- Films with a similar feel include Rachel Getting Married, The Lost Weekend, 28 Days, and Blue Valentine.
- How long is Smashed?
- Smashed runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch Smashed?
- In United States, Smashed streams on Hulu.
