Stranger Than Fiction

2006, Comedy/Fantasy, 1h 45m

174 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

A fun, whimsical tale about an office drone trying to save his life from his narrator, Stranger Than Fiction features a subdued performances from Will Ferrell that contributes mightily to its quirky, mind-bending affect. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

A mentally unstable IRS auditor (Will Ferrell) hears an author's (Emma Thompson) voice in his head and discovers that he is the ill-fated protagonist of her latest work. While a book-company employee (Queen Latifah) tries to cure the author's case of writer's block, the auditor and a professor (Dustin Hoffman) set out to find the woman and make her change her story.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Nudity|Brief Language|Sexuality|Some Disturbing Images)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Fantasy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Marc Forster
  • Producer:
    Lindsay Doran
  • Writer:
    Zach Helm
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $40.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Sony Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell
Harold Crick
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Ana Pascal
Dustin Hoffman
Dustin Hoffman
Dr. Jules Hilbert
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Penny Escher
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
Kay Eiffel
Tony Hale
Tony Hale
Dave
Tom Hulce
Tom Hulce
Dr. Cayly
Linda Hunt
Linda Hunt
Dr. Mittag-Lefler
Eli Goodman
Eli Goodman
Augustus Chatman
Denise Hughes
Denise Hughes
Carla
Jason Burke
Jason Burke
Commuter
Linara Washington
Linara Washington
Bakery Assistant
Marc Forster
Marc Forster
Director
Zach Helm
Zach Helm
Writer
Lindsay Doran
Lindsay Doran
Producer
Joseph Drake
Joseph Drake
Executive Producer
Nathan Kahane
Nathan Kahane
Executive Producer
Eric Kopeloff
Eric Kopeloff
Executive Producer
Roberto Schaefer
Roberto Schaefer
Cinematographer
Matt Chesse
Matt Chesse
Film Editing
Francine Maisler
Francine Maisler
Casting
Kevin Thompson
Kevin Thompson
Production Design
Craig J. Jackson
Craig J. Jackson
Art Director
Ford Wheeler
Ford Wheeler
Set Decoration
Frank L. Fleming
Frank L. Fleming
Costume Design
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News & Interviews for Stranger Than Fiction

Rank Will Ferrell’s 10 Best Movies
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Will Ferrell’s 10 Best Movies
Will Ferrell’s 10 Best Movies
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Critic Reviews for Stranger Than Fiction

All Critics (174) | Top Critics (55) | Fresh (127) | Rotten (47)
Full Review… Deborah Ross The Spectator Full Review… Bob Mondello NPR.org Full Review… Brian Tallerico UGO Full Review… Joshua Rothkopf Time Out Full Review… Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian Full Review… Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Full Review… Kaleem Aftab The List Full Review… Joshua Starnes ComingSoon.net Full Review… Jane Boursaw Common Sense Media Full Review… Nick Rogers The Film Yap Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com
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Audience Reviews for Stranger Than Fiction

  • Jan 20, 2016
    An interesting premise that is smoothly made into one good film.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Feb 08, 2014
    Most of Willl Ferrell's characters are morons. Ricky Bobby, Ron Burgandy, and so many others just stupid. Normally when I hear Will Ferrell's movies I get excited an then disappointed. This movie is different from the others. This movie is focused on Harold Crick an IRS agent whose life is being written on by a person who kills off all of her main characters. Crick now has to find a way to stop it. The author learns of what she is doing and is forced with a tough decision to let him live or to write the novel anyway. This movie isn't one of Will Ferrell's stupid comedies. It truly has a meaning and a great one at that. 5 Stars 1-24-14
    Super Reviewer
  • Oct 26, 2012
    Will Farrell unfortunately fades into the wall but the writing and Emma Thompson do enough to make this memorable. Very interesting concept.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 31, 2012
    Ferrel gives a legit serious performance for once, and unlike a few other comedian actors, Ferrel does a fantastic job at this role.
    Super Reviewer
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