Overview
A summer of self-discovery awaits a shy teenager at a beach house.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- hopeful
- lazy sunday
- summer vacation
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film warm, funny, and emotionally satisfying, especially praising its ensemble performances despite its familiar coming-of-age construction.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Duncan gradually becomes more comfortable with his shyness, relationships, and personal identity.
Water park employee Owen gives Duncan work, encouragement, and a model of informal self-confidence.
Water Wizz offers Duncan friendship, work, and emotional shelter away from Trent's beach-house control.
Duncan struggles with his mother's boyfriend Trent and Trent's daughter during the Cape Cod holiday.
Films like The Way Way Back, and why
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
shared coming-of-age themes, adolescent alienation, dysfunctional family tension, and bittersweet humor
Adventureland
shared teen self-discovery, summer setting, awkward romance, and warm comedic drama
The Spectacular Now
shared coming-of-age structure, emotionally difficult family dynamics, and naturalistic ensemble comedy
Almost Famous
shared youthful outsider protagonist, mentorship, friendship, and tender humor
Movie Details
- Directors
- Jim Rash, Nat Faxon
- Release Date
- 2013-06-06
- Runtime
- 103 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (2011)
Cast
- Liam James
- Steve Carell
- Toni Collette
- AnnaSophia Robb
- Sam Rockwell
- Allison Janney
- Maya Rudolph
- Amanda Peet
- Rob Corddry
- Nat Faxon
Where to watch in United States
- 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 The Way Way Back about?
- A shy teenager finds confidence, friendship, and an unlikely mentor while surviving a difficult family vacation at a Massachusetts water park.
- What is The Way Way Back like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Way Way Back as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Way Way Back violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Way Way Back.
- What did critics think of The Way Way Back?
- Critics broadly found the film warm, funny, and emotionally satisfying, especially praising its ensemble performances despite its familiar coming-of-age construction.
- Which films are like The Way Way Back?
- Films with a similar feel include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Adventureland, The Spectacular Now, and Almost Famous.
- How long is The Way Way Back?
- The Way Way Back runs 103 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Way Way Back?
- In United States, The Way Way Back is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
