Wakefield

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Wakefield

R

2017

1h 49m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

74%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Howard Wakefield, a New York City lawyer, hides out in the attic of his home for weeks, coming out in the daytime when his family is gone to shower and eat. His withdrawal leads him to examine his life, and he rationalizes that he has not abandoned his family because he is still in the house. When a former boyfriend re-enters his wife's life, he realizes that he may not be able to return to life he has abandoned.

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Critics Consensus

Thanks to a committed, powerhouse performance by Bryan Cranston, Wakefield is a fascinating character study of a decidedly unpleasant character.

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Michael Sragow

Film Comment Magazine

Jul 11, 2017

Swicord's movie is about the angst of a rigorously constructed and airtight suburban life...she arrives at an intricate mosaic style that accommodates both eloquent portraiture and deft tableaux.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

Jun 22, 2017

Uneventful and dull to look at, the film adapts a short story by E.L. Doctorow that probably should have stayed on the page.

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David Sims

The Atlantic

Jun 9, 2017

It isn't the dull midlife crisis movie it initially presents itself as. But it also doesn't do enough to lurch into more nightmarish territory.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 1, 2021

3/4

Cranston is excellent in the central role, with Garner (who deserves a more vibrant career) offering solid support.

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Leslie Combemale

Cinema Siren

Oct 18, 2019

4/5

The real reason so see Wakefield is the tour-de-force performance Bryan Cranston brings to it.

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

Oct 10, 2019

2.5/5

While this monotonous one-man show may be a testament to Cranston's talents, the film becomes a tedious exercise.

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Jamie C

@JosieCampoj 9 hrs ago

Could have been a better movie had the ending left no explanation for his absence. Just a weird ending. Disappointing.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 22, 2026

Wakefield = a *3* star Movie!

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Carole K

@Kloesel Jul 11, 2026

I did not care for it at all.

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Chris P

@RT06285801 Jun 9, 2026

Interesting but not great, really didnt like the ending. A better ending might have brought this up to 3, maybe 4 stars.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone Apr 29, 2026

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Briana U.

@Anaire Jan 8, 2026

This movie was nothing but a wealthy white man having a middle aged crisis due to a fight with his seemingly perfect wife. It was a complete waste of time and evoked no thought other than, when is it going to end. I was highly disappointed especially having Cranston play the main character. I was at least hoping for a good ending to say at least one good thing about the film but the ending provides no satisfaction and it gave no meaning to the films entirety. I simply can not recommend something this boring.

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Robin Swicord

Director

Bryan Cranston

Howard Wakefield

Jennifer Garner

Diana Wakefield

Jason O'Mara

Dirk Morrison

Beverly D'Angelo

Babs

Ian Anthony Dale

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Wakefield: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Howard Wakefield, a New York City lawyer, hides out in the attic of his home for weeks, coming out in the daytime when his family is gone to shower and eat. His withdrawal leads him to examine his life, and he rationalizes that he has not abandoned his family because he is still in the house. When a former boyfriend re-enters his wife's life, he realizes that he may not be able to return to life he has abandoned.

Director: Robin Swicord
Producer: Julie Lynn, Bonnie Curtis, Elliot Webb, Carl Moellenberg, Wendy Federman
Screenwriter: Robin Swicord
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Mockingbird Pictures, Dominion Pictures Corporation
Rating: R (Some Sexual Material|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 19, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 25, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $259.4K
Runtime: 1h 49m

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