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IMDbPro

The Discovery

  • 2017
  • 16
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
39K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,449
1,584
Jason Segel in The Discovery (2017)
A love story set in a world where the afterlife has been scientifically proven, and as a result millions of people start taking their own lives to "get there."
Play trailer1:44
2 Videos
43 Photos
Dystopian Sci-FiPsychological DramaDramaRomanceSci-FiThriller

Two years after the afterlife is scientifically proven, a man attempts to help a young woman break away from her dark past.Two years after the afterlife is scientifically proven, a man attempts to help a young woman break away from her dark past.Two years after the afterlife is scientifically proven, a man attempts to help a young woman break away from her dark past.

  • Director
    • Charlie McDowell
  • Writers
    • Charlie McDowell
    • Justin Lader
  • Stars
    • Robert Redford
    • Mary Steenburgen
    • Brian McCarthy
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    39K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,449
    1,584
    • Director
      • Charlie McDowell
    • Writers
      • Charlie McDowell
      • Justin Lader
    • Stars
      • Robert Redford
      • Mary Steenburgen
      • Brian McCarthy
    • 161User reviews
    • 74Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Trailer #2
    Trailer 1:44
    Trailer #2
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:39
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:39
    Official Trailer

    Photos43

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    + 39
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    Top cast33

    Edit
    Robert Redford
    Robert Redford
    • Thomas
    Mary Steenburgen
    Mary Steenburgen
    • Interviewer
    Brian McCarthy
    Brian McCarthy
    • Sound Recordist
    Jason Segel
    Jason Segel
    • Will
    Rooney Mara
    Rooney Mara
    • Isla
    Jesse Plemons
    Jesse Plemons
    • Toby
    Ron Canada
    Ron Canada
    • Cooper
    Riley Keough
    Riley Keough
    • Lacey
    Connor Ratliff
    Connor Ratliff
    • Coroner
    M.J. Karmi
    M.J. Karmi
    • Janice
    • (as MJ Karmi)
    Kimleigh Smith
    Kimleigh Smith
    • Hospital Receptionist
    Willie C. Carpenter
    Willie C. Carpenter
    • Hospital Janitor
    • (as Willie Carpenter)
    Wendy Makkena
    Wendy Makkena
    • Mom
    Adam Khaykin
    Adam Khaykin
    • Oliver
    • (as Adam Morrison Khaykin)
    Lindsay Schnebly
    • Newscaster
    Colin Allen
    • Green Jumpsuit Person
    • (uncredited)
    Paul Bellefeuille
    Paul Bellefeuille
    • Pat Phillips
    • (uncredited)
    Jim Boyd
    Jim Boyd
    • Man in Red 1
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Charlie McDowell
    • Writers
      • Charlie McDowell
      • Justin Lader
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews161

    6.239.1K
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    Featured reviews

    7Hellmant

    Disappointing, due to the extremely promising premise and setup.

    'THE DISCOVERY': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

    A sci-fi romantic drama about a world where an afterlife has been scientifically proven, and how that knowledge drastically affects society. It was directed by Charlie McDowell, and it was written by McDowell and Justin Lade (the duo also teamed on 2014's 'THE ONE I LOVE'). The film stars Jason Segel, Rooney Mara, Robert Redford, Jesse Plemons, Riley Keough and Ron Canada. It's received mixed reviews from critics, and it was released by Netflix through their streaming site. I found the movie itself to be a little disappointing, due to the extremely promising premise and setup.

    The story takes place two years after 'the discovery of an afterlife', by Thomas Harbor (Redford). The scientific proof of an afterlife has caused an extremely dramatic increase in suicides. Thomas's son, Will (Segel), blames his father for the high suicide rate. He travels to see him, at an isolated mansion, where Thomas is doing more research on his findings. Will meets a suicidal woman on his trip, named Isla (Mara), who he later prevents from killing herself. He then brings Isla to his father's mansion, and the two assist him in his research there. The whole time Will is extremely skeptical about the damage they're doing to society, with these new findings.

    The movie is extremely dark and depressing, for almost it's entire running length. Like I said, the idea for the film is really intriguing, and fascinating, but it's definitely not fun watching it play out. The performances are decent, and the climax is somewhat interesting, and unpredictable, as well. I had hoped for a lot more from it though, when I started watching it.
    7imdbuser33

    Underrated flick that deserves a viewing

    I wasn't sure about seeing this film because of the rating, but the concept was interesting and being a fan of Rooney Mara's work I decided to give it a shot. And I am glad I did.

    The opening scene is very well done because it grabs your attention from the first second. But what comes after is what bothered most of the viewers who felt disappointed - the personal story line between Jason Siegel's and Rooney Mara's characters becoming the center of attention instead of the concept of an afterlife and how it works.

    Personally, while watching the movie, I did feel a little bit deceived, because "the discovery" took a back seat, BUT after finishing the movie it all made sense. I think the film was very well structured and managed to get across it's idea and explanation of how afterlife works very well to the audience, without having to talk about it and explain it in every scene as if the viewers are little children. I do not agree with some statements that the concept of "the discovery" was not well done, finished or explained well. Last 10 min. do contain a lot of information and the viewer should pay attention.

    The acting was very good, however overall I must agree that it is not the most exciting film. What I mean is that it won't be in your "most memorable or favorite"movie list. It's a good watch on lazy night though. Give it a go.
    5zkonedog

    A Great Idea That Just Never Comes Together

    There are a number of good things that can be said about Netflix's "The Discovery": It is good to see Netflix tackling big-budget, dramatic/sci-fi fare. It's encouraging that actors with the reputation such as Robert Redford has are now willing to work with the premiere streaming service. Plus, "The Discovery" actually has a germ of a really great idea at its core. Unfortunately, however, the film never really comes together like it should, essentially wasting that inventive idea with clunky acting and even worse pacing.

    For a basic plot summary, "The Discovery" takes place in a future where noted scientist Thomas (Redford) has definitively proved the existence of an afterlife. The problem? Now people are committing suicide by the millions knowing that "something else" is beyond this mortal coil. The next logical step for Thomas, then? Discovering exactly what this afterlife consists of. This is where his son Will (Jason Segel) comes into the picture, visiting the scientist for the first time since a major falling-out to try and convince him to scrap the entire project. Along the way, younger son Toby (Jesse Plemons) chooses sides, while Will finds a mysterious woman (played by Rooney Mara) who has her own relationship with the "discovery".

    Like I said, the concept behind this film is fascinating: What would happen if the afterlife were proved scientifically? Also, and I won't give away spoilers here, but even the research into what that afterlife consists of is fascinating in what it entails.

    Unfortunately, though, the film is only a middling effort because of two glaring missteps that drag down the whole production:

    1. The romance angle between Will & Isla. If you've seen the film "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", that one nails this dynamic much better. In "Discovery", however, there is just no reason to believe that these two will fall in love, much less how that angle comes to dominant much of the film's runtime.

    2. Perhaps better acting would have saved that romance angle, but alas it wasn't to be found here. Mara is much too bland as Isla, while Segel is terribly miscast as the lead. More than blank, brooding stares were needed for the role, but that is all Segel seems to be able to provide here. Redford is his usually solid self, and Plemmons steals the show from time to time, but other than that none of the other acting performances are above average (with some being quite below that line).

    So, while "The Discovery" is a film that I really want to like more than 5-stars out of 10, the end product just isn't worthy of anything more. Had the sci-fi aspect been the focus throughout, I think that would have improved things considerably. A better, less confusing ending would have helped as well. As it stands, though, "Discovery" comes off as a very second-rate "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" clone. Netflix may be taking strides in the right direction when it comes to original feature films, but there is still a ways to go to compete with the big studios.
    9mikethebeckett

    Underrated Existential Weirdness

    Don't know why this is getting some bad reviews. This was actually pretty darn good.

    This movie has an interesting take on consciousness and death that is worth the time to watch. Perhaps people are not liking the existential weirdness and the questions it brings up but I enjoyed myself on this one.

    I think we all need to ponder consciousness and reality a little more.
    5mingsphinx

    Too ambitious, fails in form and substance

    Just reading the synopsis raised my expectations, which is perhaps why the movie fell flat for me. Instead of an exploration of an intriguing idea, the film really became a declaration of faith in what is essentially a notion that cannot be proven and thus cannot really be known. When assertions are made about the mysteries of consciousness, you either believe them or you do not.

    I would have given this a higher rating just for tackling such a difficult topic but the direction, acting and even cinematography never really came together. There were plenty of big, proven names who lent their prestige to this project and yet surprisingly none of the people involved seemed willing to commit. It was like they all knew the outcome would stink but no one wanted to sully their reputations by doing a bad job.

    It is worth a watch if you are fans of some of the actors as I am. The arc of the plot is not unsatisfying even though it is in many instances frustrating. A film perhaps to while away the time and put yourself in a more contemplative mood.

    Related interests

    Clive Owen and Clare-Hope Ashitey in Les Fils de l'homme (2006)
    Dystopian Sci-Fi
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Psychological Drama
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in L'Empire contre-attaque (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Charlie McDowell directed his then girlfriend Rooney Mara and his mother Mary Steenburgen in this film.
    • Goofs
      When Will saves Isla, she tells him: "You were supposed to be the last person I ever spoke to.". But after they talked while she was hitchhiking, she got a ride, so the last person Isla talked to should be the driver, at least to tell him where she was going to (even is she might be meaning that Will was "the last person she had a significant conversation with").
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Interviewer: Dr. Harber, before we're live, I just wanted to say thank you for choosing me.

      Thomas: [warming up his voice] Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

      Interviewer: The rich history you have with other journalists...

      Thomas: I chose you precisely because we don't have a history. Now, don't fuck it up.

      Producer: Fifteen seconds...

    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Jason Segel/Lilly Singh/Brian Regan (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      A Fancy Place to Cry
      Written by Billy Hayes

      Performed by Patsy Maples

      Courtesy of Fervor Records

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 31, 2017 (France)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Khám Phá Thế Giới Bên Kia
    • Filming locations
      • Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island, USA(Newport, Rhode Island)
    • Production companies
      • Endgame Entertainment
      • Netflix
      • Protagonist Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 42m(102 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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