The Father (2020)
Kernel Score: 90% · 3,549 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama
Released: 2020-12-23
Runtime: 97 minutes
Is The Father worth watching?
Must-watch. An ageing man's world starts to shift around him, and the film puts you inside his confusion. Anthony Hopkins is superb. It is a quietly devastating look at dementia, short and tightly built.
Watch it if you
- want a powerfully acted drama
- are interested in dementia and ageing
- like films that play with perspective
Skip it if you
- want something upbeat
- find illness stories too painful
Best for: Quiet solo night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Father
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A man refuses all assistance from his daughter as he ages and, as he tries to make sense of his changing circumstances, he begins to doubt his loved ones, his own mind and even the fabric of his reality.
The Father parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Father is a PG-13 drama depicting a man's decline into dementia, portraying caregiving and memory loss with emotional intensity.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Father
If you liked The Father, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Vortex (2021) — 79%: Another raw, intimate portrait of dementia in old age.
- Still Alice (2014) — 83%: Alzheimer's seen from the inside, with a strong central performance.
- The Hours (2002) — 81%: Moving, layered drama about grief, memory and mortality.
- A Moment to Remember (2004) — 88%: Love story tested by Alzheimer's disease.
- Sunset Boulevard (1950) — 92%: Classic about a mind slipping from reality.
- Still Life (2013) — 85%: Gentle, sad study of loneliness and dignity.
Director
Florian Zeller
Cast
- Anthony Hopkins as Anthony
- Olivia Colman as Anne
- Mark Gatiss as The Man
- Olivia Williams as The Woman
- Imogen Poots as Laura
- Rufus Sewell as Paul
- Ayesha Dharker as Dr. Sarai
- Roman Zeller as Boy
The Father FAQ
Is The Father worth watching?
Must-watch. An ageing man's world starts to shift around him, and the film puts you inside his confusion. Anthony Hopkins is superb. It is a quietly devastating look at dementia, short and tightly built.
Where can I watch The Father?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Father OK for kids?
The Father is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Father is a PG-13 drama depicting a man's decline into dementia, portraying caregiving and memory loss with emotional intensity.
What movies are like The Father?
If you liked The Father, try Vortex, Still Alice, The Hours and A Moment to Remember.