Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Chappaquiddick

Play trailer 1:56 Poster for Chappaquiddick PG-13 2018 1h 41m Mystery & Thriller History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
80% Tomatometer 145 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
On July 18, 1969, Sen. Ted Kennedy drives his car off of a bridge on Massachusetts' Chappaquiddick Island. The accident results in the death of passenger Mary Jo Kopechne, a 28-year-old campaign strategist who worked for Kennedy. The ongoing investigation into the mysterious events forever alters his political legacy and changes the course of presidential history.
Watch on Fandango Stream Now

Where to Watch

Chappaquiddick

Chappaquiddick

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Chappaquidick can't help leaving some of this true story's most intriguing questions unanswered, but it's bolstered by outstanding work from Jason Clarke in the central role.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Donald Clarke Irish Times Mar 19, 2021
4/5
The movie offers a convincing demonstration of how political mechanisms conspire to protect the powerful from their own mistakes. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian Mar 17, 2021
2/5
Some interesting moments here, but the film is one long pulled punch. Go to Full Review
Wenlei Ma News.com.au May 11, 2018
3.5/5
A deftly executed examination of the man at the centre of the scandal and the psychological scars that come from being a Kennedy scion. In this, Clarke does a wonderful job at conveying the conflict brewing inside Ted. Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 19, 2022
4/5
The true cleverness of “Chappaquiddick” is seen in how it moves with Kennedy’s evolving story in a way that by the end of the film we're still unclear on what’s the truth. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Aug 10, 2021
3/4
This cinematic dramatization is measured in tone, and Ed Helms is particularly good. Go to Full Review
Jason Adams The Film Experience Jul 6, 2021
Chappaquiddick asks questions, but they're not really the right ones right this minute Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Stephen C @bob25009 Oct 9, 2025 Based on a true story in 1 hour and 41 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Historical Smoking, Disturbing Images, Some Strong Language and Thematic Material!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $17,400,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more
Jon G @RT43191456 Nov 16, 2024 A superfluous movie gem about what happened at Chappaquiddick. See more
Gareth v @geewah Jun 22, 2023 Well constructed movie that does a good job of telling the story of the mysterious death of Mary Jo Kopechne. The underrated Jason Clarke does a fine job in the lead role. See more
isla s @RT89656869 Sep 3, 2022 This is quite a frustrating watch, due to the plot development, or in other words, what happened - given its based on (I believe) a true story. It's a (perhaps timely?) reminder of how authority figures incl politicians (not all but some) can have dubious priorities and be somewhat self-centred, it could be said. The central performances are decent and it felt a pretty good film in general - with some stylish lighting/elements present. It's pretty watchable but not memorable, in as much as it isn't the kind of story I'd care to think about too much, frankly. As political biopics go (plus moral/ethical related films I suppose), its a good watch and so from that perspective it's worth seeing, hence I'd recommend it. See more
a.l.jude p @judebd Aug 29, 2022 The truth not said, but at least gives some hints what happened. As the history said, most of the true happenings were covered up and no one will never know the complete truth, But it is suspenseful as the story goes on. See more
Ken R @RT36478503 Jul 5, 2022 Engrossing re-telling of some of the unseemly events that led to the death of Mary Jo Kopechne and yet another Kennedy family whitewash, this time, of its youngest son Edward Kennedy. While he may have lost some credibility over this monstrous cover-up, it seems he still shamefully allowed money and political lust for power to triumph over justice. The producers, writers Allen/Logan, and director John Curran (The Painted Veil '06) don't shy away from too many facts (but maybe don't address all) and certainly have a penchant for shining more light on this sordid show of political skulduggery. Performances are very good with Bruce Dern in the physically limited role of J.P. Kennedy Sr. who says it all with his eyes and sharp movements. The backroom Democrat power brokers are included, among them, the suspect (then Secretary of State) Robert McNamara perfectly portrayed by Clancy Brown - along with Speech writer Ted Sorensen, all pulling strings to concoct as convincing an alibi, of bravery-from-cowardice, as was shamelessly sold to the American public. Ted's cousin Joe Gargan, unsuccessfully attempted to convince Kennedy to admit the truth but these manufactured lies, managed to get Ted many years in office - while it appears Mary Jo's parents were paid off for their silence. The production design, cinematography, and music score all produce an eerie atmosphere, underpinning the sleazy situations being presented (and hidden) in the sickening world of our most powerful players. There's an excellent line attributed to Joe Gargan, in response to Ted playing down his own shortcomings by drawing attention to other famous people's flawed personalities, citing; "Even Moses had a bad temper" with Joe responding; "Moses never left a dead girl under the Red Sea". This production has a measured pace and while it leaves some questions unattended, still tells an important tale. See more
Read all reviews
Chappaquiddick

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING
Operation Finale 60% 67% Operation Finale Watchlist TRAILER for Operation Finale 7 Days in Entebbe 24% 37% 7 Days in Entebbe Watchlist TRAILER for 7 Days in Entebbe Bridge of Spies 91% 87% Bridge of Spies Watchlist TRAILER for Bridge of Spies The Conspirator 55% 62% The Conspirator Watchlist Six Minutes to Midnight 36% 46% Six Minutes to Midnight Watchlist TRAILER for Six Minutes to Midnight Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis On July 18, 1969, Sen. Ted Kennedy drives his car off of a bridge on Massachusetts' Chappaquiddick Island. The accident results in the death of passenger Mary Jo Kopechne, a 28-year-old campaign strategist who worked for Kennedy. The ongoing investigation into the mysterious events forever alters his political legacy and changes the course of presidential history.
Director
John Curran
Producer
Mark Ciardi, Campbell McInnes, Chris Cowles
Screenwriter
Taylor Allen, Andrew Logan
Distributor
Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures
Production Co
DMG Entertainment, Apex Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Historical Smoking|Disturbing Images|Some Strong Language|Thematic Material)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 6, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 3, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$17.4M
Runtime
1h 41m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings