Marriage Story (2019)
Kernel Score: 88% · 7,327 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama
Released: 2019-09-28
Runtime: 137 minutes
Is Marriage Story worth watching?
Must-watch. A painful, honest and often funny story of a marriage ending. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson give excellent performances, and it never takes a side.
Watch it if you
- like honest relationship dramas
- enjoy great acting
- can handle emotional stories
Skip it if you
- want a light romance
- dislike talky films
Best for: Quiet night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Marriage Story
- Stream: Netflix
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A stage director and an actress struggle through a grueling, coast-to-coast divorce that pushes them to their personal extremes.
Marriage Story parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that Marriage Story is an intense R-rated drama about a difficult divorce with strong language.
- Language: Moderate — Contains strong profanity during intense emotional arguments, consistent with its R rating.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Marriage Story
If you liked Marriage Story, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Squid and the Whale (2005) — 77%: Same director, a family tearing apart after divorce.
- Frances Ha (2013) — 81%: Same director, a gentler, funnier character study.
- Drive My Car (2021) — 86%: A slow, deep story of grief and relationships.
- Loveless (2017) — 82%: A harsh look at a separating couple.
- Journey to Italy (1954) — 83%: A marriage in trouble, quietly told.
- Synecdoche, New York (2008) — 85%: A dense, painful look at a life falling apart.
Director
Cast
- Adam Driver as Charlie Barber
- Scarlett Johansson as Nicole Barber
- Laura Dern as Nora Fanshaw
- Alan Alda as Bert Spitz
- Ray Liotta as Jay Marotta
- Julie Hagerty as Sandra
- Merritt Wever as Cassie
- Azhy Robertson as Henry Barber
- Wallace Shawn as Frank
- Martha Kelly as The Evaluator
Marriage Story FAQ
Is Marriage Story worth watching?
Must-watch. A painful, honest and often funny story of a marriage ending. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson give excellent performances, and it never takes a side.
Where can I watch Marriage Story?
In the US you can stream Marriage Story on Netflix.
Is Marriage Story OK for kids?
Marriage Story is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that Marriage Story is an intense R-rated drama about a difficult divorce with strong language.
What movies are like Marriage Story?
If you liked Marriage Story, try The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha, Drive My Car and Loveless.