Overview
A political drama that dives deep into the high-stakes world of a presidential election and the unexpected rise of a female candidate.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- tense
- witty
- sardonic
- political movie night
- history viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an entertaining and generally favorable political drama, especially praising Julianne Moore's highly convincing performance as Sarah Palin.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film reconstructs Sarah Palin's selection and performance during the 2008 Republican presidential campaign.
Steve Schmidt and his colleagues try to manage Palin's preparation, scripts, interviews, and debate appearances.
The Katie Couric interview, debate, Tina Fey impersonation, and election coverage shape the campaign's trajectory.
The film uses comic campaign and media moments while depicting escalating strategic and psychological collapse.
Films like Game Change, and why
The Ides of March
political biographical drama centered on campaign strategy, media pressure, and a consequential election
W.
scripted political history examining presidential power, public image, and morally compromised strategists
The Best Man
ensemble political drama about electoral maneuvering, idealism, and the machinery of American campaigns
The Front Runner
fact-based political drama driven by media scrutiny, institutional pressure, and a major public figure's crisis
Movie Details
- Director
- Jay Roach
- Release Date
- 2012-02-28
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (351)
Cast
- Julianne Moore
- Woody Harrelson
- Ed Harris
- Peter MacNicol
- Jamey Sheridan
- Sarah Paulson
- Ron Livingston
- David Barry Gray
- Larry Sullivan
- Mikal Evans
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max
- 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 Game Change about?
- A sharp, actor-driven political drama chronicles how a risky vice-presidential pick reshapes the 2008 McCain campaign and strains everyone trying to control it.
- What is Game Change like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Game Change as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Game Change violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Game Change.
- What did critics think of Game Change?
- Critics broadly found the film an entertaining and generally favorable political drama, especially praising Julianne Moore's highly convincing performance as Sarah Palin.
- Which films are like Game Change?
- Films with a similar feel include The Ides of March, W., The Best Man, and The Front Runner.
- How long is Game Change?
- Game Change runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch Game Change?
- In United States, Game Change streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max.
