The Humans

A24 | Release Date: November 24, 2021

5.8	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 46 Ratings

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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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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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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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