In a World… (2013)
83%RT Audience Score: 71%
Awards & Nominations: Nominated for 2 Oscars
19 wins & 84 nominations total
A funny, well-written screwball satire for film buffs, In a World… proves an auspicious beginning for writer, director, and star Lake Bell
In a World is a hilarious and heartwarming film that explores the cutthroat world of voiceover acting. Lake Bell shines as both the director and star of the film, bringing a distinctly female perspective to the industry. The cast is a dream team of alt-comedy stars, bouncing lines and looks off each other with ease. While the execution may leave something to be desired, the film’s authenticity and sharp observations make it a must-see for anyone looking for a good laugh and a glimpse into the world of voiceover. Plus, who doesn’t love a good movie about the underdog rising to the top?
Production Company(ies)
Forty Four Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,
Distributor
Roadside Attractions
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
Oslo, Norway
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and some language
Year of Release
2021
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:1h 33m
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Language(s):Norwegian
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Aug 9, 2013 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2014
Genre(s)
Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Lake Bell, Fred Melamed, Demetri Martin, Michaela Watkins, Ken Marino, Rob Corddry, directed by Lake Bell, written by Lake Bell, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Andi Zeisler, Adam Nayman, Candice Frederick, Philippa Hawker, Richard Roeper, Eddie Harrison, Tyler Smith, Leigh Paatsch, Jim Ross, Bernard Boo, Ren Jender, R MPAA rating, vocal coach, voice-over, trailer, Hollywood, family dynamics, sexism, female identity, film business, movie trailer, voice acting, movie industry, indie movie, film buffs, film references, quirky sensibilities, dry wit, heartfelt drama, lighthearted nature, family ties, film director, film producer, Roadside Attractions
Worldwide gross: $11,899,646
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $12,942,135
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,881
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 1,411,356
US/Canada gross: $3,034,775
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $3,300,642
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,919
US/Canada opening weekend: $138,424
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $150,551
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,779
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): 5000000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $5,438,034
Production budget ranking: 1,860
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $2,928,381
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,575,720
ROI to date (est.): 55%
ROI ranking: 1,122
Fred Melamed – Sam
Demetri Martin – Louis
Michaela Watkins – Dani
Ken Marino – Gustav
Rob Corddry – Moe
Director(s)
Lake Bell
Writer(s)
Lake Bell
Producer(s)
Eddie Vaisman, Jett Steiger, Lake Bell, Mark Roberts
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
Nominated for 2 Oscars
19 wins & 84 nominations total
Academy Awards
All Critics (132) | Top Critics (53) | Fresh (122) | Rotten (10)
In a World questions just what about any voice is authentic and valuable. And with any luck, it’ll be Bell’s own calling card to more voiceover work.
January 20, 2021
Andi Zeisler
Bitch Media
TOP CRITIC
The simplicity of the film’s plot leaves plenty of breathing room for the cast to just bounce lines and looks off one another, which they do with the relaxed aplomb of an alt-comedy all-star team.
July 31, 2018
Adam Nayman
Sight & Sound
TOP CRITIC
The outline of the film shows a lot of potential for [Lake] Bell’s future directorial projects, and ability to bring out the authenticity in her characters and cast, but the execution leaves much to be desired.
September 6, 2017 | Rating: C+
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
Pin-sharp observant one minute, appealingly messy the next, this marks [Lake] Bell as one of America’s most promising new talents.
September 5, 2017 | Rating: 4/5
Larushka Ivan-Zadeh
metro.co.uk
TOP CRITIC
Writer-director Lake Bell is also the star of this quick-witted beguiling comedy of female identity, family ties and an unseen but fiercely competitive aspect of the film business.
April 2, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/5
Philippa Hawker
The Age (Australia)
TOP CRITIC
Can’t wait to see what Lake Bell the filmmaker does next.
December 31, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4
Richard Roeper
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
…a sprightly indie comedy, with smart performances from the cast, notably Bell who has crafted a story to her own likable talents…
March 10, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Eddie Harrison
film-authority.com
…most directors’ first films do not have the basis of quality that this movie has. I’m excited to see her next film, but, in the meantime, we have In a World… If you have the opportunity to see it, I recommend that you do.
February 25, 2021
Tyler Smith
Battleship Pretension
Bell’s sharp instincts fuse the caustic and the cute to often delirious effect.
June 15, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Bell’s script is distinctly female in perspective, taking aim at industry sexism without being seminar-like about it. An accomplished feature debut, IN A WORLD… shows there should be more to come from Bell as writer/director.
February 13, 2020
Jim Ross
TAKE ONE Magazine
In a World… is a clever, character-centric comedy that’s got a great cast and is framed by such a strangely peculiar backdrop that it sets itself apart.
April 12, 2019 | Rating: 7.4/10
Bernard Boo
Way Too Indie
Many of the contrivances seem like placeholders in the script, meant to be replaced with better thought out action later on, but the movie still contains some truths that don’t make their way into films directed and written by men.
March 13, 2019
Ren Jender
Bitch Flicks…
Plot
A vocal coach competes with her father and his rival for a prestigious gig doing the voice-over on a trailer for a big-budget movie in the screwball satire, In a World… directed by Lake Bell.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
“In a World…” marks the directorial debut of Lake Bell, who also stars in the film.
Lake-Bell.jpg
