Demolition

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2:20

Demolition

R

2016

1h 41m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

53%

Tomatometer

207 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Grieving investment banker Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) returns to work after losing his beloved wife in a tragic car accident. After writing a letter to complain about a vending machine, Mitchell receives a phone call from Karen (Naomi Watts), a customer service rep from the company. Karen becomes moved by his complete honesty, while Davis finds someone to lend a sympathetic ear. As his new friendship with Karen and her son grows, Mitchell finds the strength he needs to rebuild his life.

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Critics Consensus

Demolition benefits from a stellar cast, even if their solid work isn't always enough to prop up a confused story that aims for profundity but too often settles for clichés.

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Dwight Brown

National Newspaper Publishers Association

Nov 8, 2016

Who knows where his displaced emotions will take him? Who cares?

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Aug 11, 2016

3/4

Demolition is a cinematic deconstruction of expectation and cliché, all of which results in a moving marvel of self-actualization I think I just might be in love with.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

May 1, 2016

2/5

The story of a bereaved man who starts to dismantle household appliances and, later, buildings, the whole movie is a laboured metaphor: we get it, he's falling apart.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 11, 2025

2.5/4

Gyllenhaal is never less than terrific, even in those moments when the movie surrounding him threatens to completely collapse.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Oct 15, 2024

5/10

It benefits from a credible performance by Jake Gyllenhaal, but the drama often remains situated in a demolition zone that slowly destroys, with each iteration, the potential of its premise about grief and redemption. [Full review in Spanish]

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Aug 1, 2024

B-

A frustrating experience. There is a lot to appreciate about this film and it had massive potential, but like Dallas Buyer Club, Vallée wasn’t exactly sure where to take the film and it shows.

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Edgar C

@edgarcarta Sep 10, 2026

I liked this movie a lot, it’s a movie for those who want to feel identified. Jake G. plays one of his best roles by portraying a man that feels that has no emotions at all, or that’s what it looks like, because while you get more deep into the movie, you kind of understand him. This is a complex movie not to understand it or know what will happen next, this movie is complex in the emotional aspect. It makes you go through the situation that Jake is going through and you are able to discover the emotions that he is feeling. Demolition can be boring for some people, but it can become better for someone that’s going through a tough situation in their life.

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Slick R

@SlickReviewer Aug 24, 2026

Been going down the list of all Jake G.'s movies and finally got to this one. Jake G. is good as usual in this thought provoking movie. The first 45 mins of the movie are pretty boring. But the 2nd half is peak comedy. Some of the scenes in this movie are crazy and should not be tried at home. His relationship with the kid is hilarious. And the metaphorical subliminal messages throughout the movie are meaningful. Sometimes you have to break down everything just to build yourself back up. Worth a watch if you have nothing else to watch.

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Renaldo D

@RT30888824 Jul 17, 2026

An incredible movie, one of Jake Gyllenhaal's best.

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Maryann D

@RT17686170 Jul 11, 2026

It doesn't give you what your want and I think that's the beauty in it. It exactly what you need, like a warm bowl of soup.

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Juan C

@RT56343886 Jul 7, 2026

Jake Gyllenhaal is great in this like he is in every film he is in. The pacing is great, I do not like how there was never any relationship with him and the love interest. Aside from the wife dying it’s a very relatable film and really captures the loneliness that not only was left after his wife died but one that was always there he just didn’t notice.

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Zafar I

@RT96135707 May 11, 2026

Its a great experience watching this hidden masterpiece Jake gylnhall perfomance will engage you Story is ammazing Just watch it guyzzz

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Jean-Marc Vallée

Director

Jake Gyllenhaal

Davis Mitchell

Naomi Watts

Karen Moreno

Chris Cooper

Phil

Judah Lewis

Chris Moreno

C.J. Wilson

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Synopsis

Grieving investment banker Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) returns to work after losing his beloved wife in a tragic car accident. After writing a letter to complain about a vending machine, Mitchell receives a phone call from Karen (Naomi Watts), a customer service rep from the company. Karen becomes moved by his complete honesty, while Davis finds someone to lend a sympathetic ear. As his new friendship with Karen and her son grows, Mitchell finds the strength he needs to rebuild his life.

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée
Producer: Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Sidney Kimmel, Jean-Marc Vallée
Screenwriter: Bryan Sipe
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Mr. Mudd, Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
Rating: R (Drug Use|Disturbing Behavior|Language|Some Sexual References)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 8, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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