Love & Mercy

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2:30

Love & Mercy

PG-13

2015

2h 0m

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

215 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the late 1960s, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson stops touring, produces "Pet Sounds" and begins to lose his grip on reality. By the 1980s, Wilson, under the sway of a controlling therapist, finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter.

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Critics Consensus

As unconventional and unwieldy as the life and legacy it honors, Love & Mercy should prove moving for Brian Wilson fans while still satisfying neophytes.

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Max Weiss

Baltimore Magazine

Jun 10, 2016

3/4

Love & Mercy is one of the most convincing depictions of the creative process and the effects of mental illness I've seen in a long time.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

May 28, 2016

It is (among its many virtues) wonderfully not boilerplate.

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Mark Kermode

Observer (UK)

Jul 12, 2015

4/5

That so much of it rings true is a credit to the film-makers; that Wilson lived some (if not all) of it is a reminder of his matchless alchemical magic.

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Matt Oakes

Silver Screen Riot

Oct 14, 2026

B+

Both those unfamiliar with Wilson and his most devout fans will find much to praise in this unconventional piece of artistic biography as it works as both a film and a lovingly issued dedication.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 20, 2025

4/5

"Love and Mercy" diverts from the birth-to-death formula and gives us something meaty, fascinating, difficult, and worthwhile.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Nov 18, 2023

There's a lot of history packed in here... but director Bill Pohald is just as interested in exploring Wilson's creative process...

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Joel H

@786Joel Sep 21, 2026

I may not always love the songs Brian Wilson created, but there’s no denying he had serious songwriting talent. In Love & Mercy, we get to know the man behind the music. This documentary-style dramatization tells his story in a unique way, jumping from one era of his life to another. It doesn’t try to tell his whole story, but it gives you a sense of his struggles during those times. I thought Paul Dano and John Cusack did well with their portrayals of Wilson, and I learned to really dislike Eugene Landy (who I didn’t even know existed before). I think any Beach Boys fan should watch Love & Mercy.

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Michael S

@DetroitCineaste Jul 24, 2026

Like all biopics, Love & Mercy is on the side of its subject and victim, Brian Wilson, the founder of the Beach Boys. The story it tells of abuse, love and survival is familiar, but the movie transcends the formula through its time-weaving narrative, its craft and several career best performances among the cast. Highly Recommended. detroitcineaste

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james T

@James8mm Jul 22, 2026

Not an easy business being a successful group. Leeches want to take advantage of you. Brain was truly gifted . He faced mental health issues ,made worse by a charlatan who wanted control of Brain. Great music, cast is excellent. Beach Boys were unique in their time. Very good movie.

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Marty H.

@Mimi1955 Feb 28, 2026

Wonderful movie!! Acting is perfect all the way around. One of the best biopic movies Ive seen.

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Nevin C

@nevincaulfield Nov 17, 2025

In the Top 2 best musician "biopics" I’ve ever seen (if you can even call it that?). Snubbed by the Oscars. This was an overachievement in performance and storytelling. R.I.P. Brian

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Scott M

@RT75128960 Aug 30, 2025

Biography about Brian Wilson that is just downright awful. The acting is embarrassing. Especially John Cusack. Paul Giamatti is good as usual but his character really has nothing to say. Made to pacify a lot of Beach Boys fans.

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Bill Pohlad

Director

John Cusack

Older Brian Wilson

Paul Dano

Young Brian Wilson

Elizabeth Banks

Melinda Ledbetter

Paul Giamatti

Dr. Eugene Landy

Jake Abel

Mike Love

Big Eyes

72%

68%

Big Eyes

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The Soloist

56%

56%

The Soloist

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for The Soloist

Get On Up

80%

68%

Get On Up

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for Get On Up

Jobs

27%

40%

Jobs

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And When Did You Last See Your Father?

72%

64%

And When Did You Last See Your Father?

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Love & Mercy: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the late 1960s, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson stops touring, produces "Pet Sounds" and begins to lose his grip on reality. By the 1980s, Wilson, under the sway of a controlling therapist, finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter.

Director: Bill Pohlad
Producer: Claire Rudnick Polstein, John Wells
Screenwriter: Michael A. Lerner
Distributor: Lionsgate Films, Roadside Attractions
Production Co: River Road, Battle Mountain Films
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Drug Content|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 5, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 18, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.5M
Runtime: 2h 0m

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