The Humans

A24 | Release Date: November 24, 2021

5.8	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 46 Ratings

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Brent_MarchantNov 26, 2021

Though somewhat slow to get started and occasionally running aground on narrative sandbars, writer-director Stephen Karam's debut feature of his own one-act stage play nevertheless delivers a quietly chilling yet macabrely humorous take on aThough somewhat slow to get started and occasionally running aground on narrative sandbars, writer-director Stephen Karam's debut feature of his own one-act stage play nevertheless delivers a quietly chilling yet macabrely humorous take on a dysfunctional family's Thanksgiving celebration. This creepy, slyly sinister comedy-drama about six family members coming to terms with their fears, secrets and often-strained connections delights with surprises and touches of whimsy while simultaneously exploring the darker side of human nature in all its bald-faced, unrepentant ugliness. The superb ensemble of Richard Jenkins, Jayne Houdyshell, Amy Schumer, Beanie Feldstein, Steven Yeun and June Squibb blends seamlessly, providing viewers with a delicately balanced mix of personalities, all finely tuned to interact with and play off of one another. With its often-dark ambiance and ghoulishly enigmatic cinematography, "The Humans" may not be the kind of idealized Rockwell-esque picture one would typically associate with the holidays, but it makes for an intriguing alternative to the sugarcoated fare one typically sees at this time of year while providing more than its share of spooky laughs and incisively comic jabs along the way.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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crbDec 27, 2021

Well it's looks and feels like a play and thar was a plus for me. Characters were real and believable, and also very much relatable with all their fears, anxieties, hopes and needs. The acting was also very good, and the camera movement andWell it's looks and feels like a play and thar was a plus for me. Characters were real and believable, and also very much relatable with all their fears, anxieties, hopes and needs. The acting was also very good, and the camera movement and editing immersive. The scary part about it was not the house itself as much but rather the fears of the people living in it.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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ryanoliveira3Dec 17, 2021

One of the best stage to screen adaptations of all time. It’s unique, and dark and humorous. Brilliantly acted.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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TVJerryNov 25, 2021

This title could be pretentious or mundane, but in this case, it’s both. The parents (Richard Jenkins Jayne Houdyshell) come to share Thanksgiving dinner with their daughter (Beanie Feldstein) and her new beau (Steven Yeun) in their grubbyThis title could be pretentious or mundane, but in this case, it’s both. The parents (Richard Jenkins Jayne Houdyshell) come to share Thanksgiving dinner with their daughter (Beanie Feldstein) and her new beau (Steven Yeun) in their grubby Chinatown apartment. Toss in the sister (Amy Schumer) and grandma (June Squibb) for the entire cast. This is not a typical dysfunctional family drama, although there’s some of that. Instead of a cogent narrative focus, there are small moments that focus on various combinations of characters and their issues. Writer/director Stephen Karam adapted this from his 2016 Broadway play and chose some unusual cinematic techniques, including camera setups that either show the scene from another room or obscure the characters that are speaking, depriving us of close-ups and sabotaging any emotional power. There are also lingering shots of the decaying apartment, which I’m assuming is supposed to reflect the rot in their relationships. At least Karam chose a cast that inhabits their roles with a natural rhythm, which works for this quietly observational drama.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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moviemitch96Nov 28, 2021

Based off of Stephen Karam's one-act play of the same name and directed by him as well, it's just another Thanksgiving drama in a long line of MUCH superior ones, such as 'Krisha' or 'Pieces of April's for example. This film adds absolutelyBased off of Stephen Karam's one-act play of the same name and directed by him as well, it's just another Thanksgiving drama in a long line of MUCH superior ones, such as 'Krisha' or 'Pieces of April's for example. This film adds absolutely nothing new or exciting to Thanksgiving drama subgenre and provides very subpart and mediocre performances from the likes of Beanie Feldstein and Amy Schumer, both of whom seemed horribly miscast in this. Steven Yeun is decent, but the only real standout performance here is Richard Jenkins, but even his presence isn't near enough to save this pretentious bore of a film. Overall, it's just another wannabe entry in a long line of Thanksgiving dramas brings absolutely nothing new to the table. It's just boring and forgettable… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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AquilaHenryNov 25, 2021

A mess, a mess, a mess, a mess, a mess, a mess, a mess, a mess, a mess, a mess, a mess!

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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MasterkillaNov 26, 2021

Did the so called professional critics even watch the same movie I saw! It's a awful awful boring pathetic film. Oh wow watching family members that don't even like each other and don't even want to be there, yeah really great film. Where theDid the so called professional critics even watch the same movie I saw! It's a awful awful boring pathetic film. Oh wow watching family members that don't even like each other and don't even want to be there, yeah really great film. Where the professional critics bribed by the director, producer and writer of this good for nothing film? Cause it's a real wasteof time to watch. They should of just left it as the play it already was. Another thing they want to make it sound like it's a horror movie because of a loud noise or bump that comes from the ceiling because of there upstairs neighbors, don't waste your time people nothing to be scared of at all just more patheticness from the director producer and writer. Idiots all around. It's a waste of time and space this crap of a film.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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livinmediocreNov 24, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Far too much of this film is wasted on trying to be hyper-realistic rather than helping the characters find any release to the problems they're persistent with. Nothing changes from start to end. We just start in, and so begins the chaos of trying to have a happy Thanksgiving with a family who can't seem to stand to be around each other.

Also, I know it's been said, but there is no way that Brigid and Richard can afford the apartment they live in, even as run down as it is. Something that size where they don't do much other than bartending, and to be honest I'm not sure what else it's not mentioned that much.
It's not necessarily a fault to the film, because who cares, just something that bugged me the whole time.

I'm usually a huge sucker for films that make my anxiety peak, but being in the environment of this film just brought me to near panic attack moments in advance of actual Thanksgiving with parents and in-laws-to-be.

Wish more of this movie, even a few more minutes, was devoted to MoMo. That's where, I think, the heart of this movie lies. Every single character sans Richard has this really deep connection to her and her depleting mind and health. But it's given only a couple of brief moments where she wanders off or gets in sync with the rest of the family for a bit.

All in all, while this had great performances, and I did like the barebones approach to the film in terms of its set design, it falls pretty flat and is a bit of a letdown by the end of its runtime.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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MetacriticOnurNov 24, 2021

bad
[ bad ]

adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.

0 of 9 users found this helpful09

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bertobellamyAug 14, 2022

Just like 'Shiva Baby,' this feels like a horror movie that studies the complexities of U.S. families. But make no mistake: there's not a comedic tone in it, not even in the slightest. The main difference with Emma Seligman's film is that theJust like 'Shiva Baby,' this feels like a horror movie that studies the complexities of U.S. families. But make no mistake: there's not a comedic tone in it, not even in the slightest. The main difference with Emma Seligman's film is that the events take some very gruesome turns; in the end, there is no hope for these individuals, who have gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving in a creepy, tiny, and ugly NYC department. The acting is good, and the approach is fantastic, but I wanted to know more about the problems of these characters; the movie barely scratched the surface, and Steven Yeun felt somewhat underutilized. Either way, don't hesitate to watch 'The Humans,' and prepare to see some of your family in it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JLuis_001Dec 2, 2021

The fact that this film is based on a play is noticeable in every way, and for that very reason what stands out the most are the performances.

This is crucial, because they are the ones who must maintain the weight of the plot, which inThe fact that this film is based on a play is noticeable in every way, and for that very reason what stands out the most are the performances.

This is crucial, because they are the ones who must maintain the weight of the plot, which in itself, having no other narrative artifice, must make the characters believable and interesting.

And its cast knows how to sell the story, but beyond that achievement, The Humans doesn't have much to stand out, and that's a shame.
From what I'd heard, I thought I'd see something more productive.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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OrukayuJan 22, 2023

Drama movie produced in 2021. The genre is also written as a horror movie, but there is no element of horror. The film includes the visit of the mother, father, grandmother and sister of a girl who has just moved to a house, and the dialoguesDrama movie produced in 2021. The genre is also written as a horror movie, but there is no element of horror. The film includes the visit of the mother, father, grandmother and sister of a girl who has just moved to a house, and the dialogues between them. It's a pretty heavy movie. Although it gives a feeling of tension in some scenes, it is not expected. But towards the end, the subject of bitter truths in the family comes up. I watched the movie patiently and got emotional. The entire family has a story full of disappointments and all grappling with financial problems. The most tense scene of the movie may be the father waiting for the taxi.

The movie takes place in one location. There are no nudity or sexually explicit scenes.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Mad_Dog2020Dec 2, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Who do I speak to about getting this time back? Just an awful movie all the way around..… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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