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The Way, Way Back

Play trailer Poster for The Way, Way Back PG-13 2013 1h 43m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
83% Tomatometer 185 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Duncan (Liam James) is an awkward teen who must spend the summer at a beach house with his mother (Toni Collette), her boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Trent's obnoxious daughter. Trent can't resist badgering Duncan, so the youth steals away to a water park and gets a job that will help him stay off Trent's radar. As Duncan tends to the slides and pools of the aging park, he finds a father figure in wisecracking park manager Owen (Sam Rockwell) at a time when he desperately needs one.
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The Way, Way Back

The Way, Way Back

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Critics Consensus

Despite its familiar themes, The Way Way Back makes use of its talented cast, finely tuned script, and an abundance of charm to deliver a funny and satisfying coming-of-age story.

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Critics Reviews

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Amy Taubin Film Comment Magazine Aug 28, 2019
Sundance would not be Sundance without a few unbelievably stupid, clichéd, graceless movies in the mix. Go to Full Review Wesley Morris Grantland Jan 6, 2014
The film has been complacently concocted for likability even as it gives you very little that's real, structured, or spontaneous enough to enjoy. Go to Full Review Thelma Adams Yahoo! Movies Nov 1, 2013
If you're first act was writing the Oscar winning screenplay for "The Descendants," looking for an encore can be tough. But Nat Faxon and Jim Rash leveraged that win and made the leap to directing their own small-budget, bighearted coming of age comedy. Go to Full Review Matt Oakes Silver Screen Riot 4 days ago
C
The story is a sapling, waiting to flourish into something more. Something more never comes. Go to Full Review Carla Renata The Curvy Film Critic Mar 24, 2026
The Way Way Back screenplay is very witty with biting humor delivered by the raucous antics of Allison Janney Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Dec 26, 2023
5/5
There's just something about the way that The Way, Way Back is performed, written, and directed that sets it apart from other coming-of-age movies. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 The Way, Way Back = a *4* star Movie! See more Allan S @RT97812168 Aug 12, 2026 Loved it. Everyone involved in this film should be proud of it. Good acting, funny with characters that make you care about them. This movie entertains without using adult content and that is rare these days. A gem! See more Kassi S @Ksigmon33 Jul 7, 2026 This has been my favorite movie for YEARS! I’ve watched it a million times and I’m sure I’ll watch it a million more. Everything about it is incredible! See more Kevin D. @Judgingyourtop5 May 24, 2026 This movie consistently hits my top five movie lists. A fantastic coming of age story that pulls you in and wants to movie to last longer. Every performer in this movie plays their role fantastically. See more Kristofer K @kbkaizer May 15, 2026 A typical feel-good movie - one of the first opportunities that enabled Carrell to move from slapstick to more serious roles. See more Erik B. @RT48487882 Mar 12, 2026 This gives me little Miss Sunshine mixed with Adventureland vibes and I love it very fun movie and shows how Steve Carell is a impressive actor playing a role in which he is a total loser See more Read all reviews
The Way, Way Back

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Cast & Crew

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Nat Faxon

Director

Jim Rash

Director

Steve Carell

Trent

Toni Collette

Pam

Allison Janney

Betty

AnnaSophia Robb

Susanna

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The Way, Way Back

Allison Janney as Betty in "The Way, Way Back." Liam James as Duncan and AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Sam Rockwell as Owen and Liam James as Duncan in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Liam James as Duncan and Nat Faxon as Roddy in "The Way, Way Back." Liam James as Duncan and AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Nat Faxon as Roddy, Sam Rockwell as Owen, Liam James as Duncan and Maya Rudolph as Caitlyn in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Sam Rockwell as Owen and Jim Rash as Lewis in "The Way, Way Back." (L-R) Nat Faxon as Roddy and Sam Rockwell as Owen in "The Way, Way Back." Sam Rockwell as Owen in "The Way, Way Back." Liam James as Duncan and AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna in "The Way, Way Back." View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Duncan (Liam James) is an awkward teen who must spend the summer at a beach house with his mother (Toni Collette), her boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and Trent's obnoxious daughter. Trent can't resist badgering Duncan, so the youth steals away to a water park and gets a job that will help him stay off Trent's radar. As Duncan tends to the slides and pools of the aging park, he finds a father figure in wisecracking park manager Owen (Sam Rockwell) at a time when he desperately needs one.
Director
Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Producer
Kevin J. Walsh, Tom Rice
Screenwriter
Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Production Co
Odd Lot Entertainment, Doubleyou Inc., Sycamore Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Brief Drug Material|Some Sexual Content|Thematic Elements)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 26, 2013, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 22, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$21.4M
Runtime
1h 43m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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