Falling

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1:42

Falling

R

2021

1h 52m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

66%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

FALLING follows John (Viggo Mortensen) who lives with his partner, Eric (Terry Chen), and their daughter, Mónica (Gabby Velis), in California, far from the traditional rural life he left behind years ago, while his conservative father, Willis (Lance Henriksen), lives alone on the isolated farm where John grew up. In the early stages of dementia, Willis is brought to John's California home to help him relocate. Unfortunately, their best intentions ultimately run up against Willis's adamant refusal to change his way of life in the slightest.

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Critics Consensus

As messy and complex as the relationship at its center, Falling's repetitive nature can be taxing, but its heart is clearly in the right place.

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Rex Reed

Observer

Feb 11, 2021

4/4

The strength, patience and universal need to forgive and bridge generational gaps Mr. Mortensen is aiming for have a devastating effect.

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

Feb 11, 2021

C-

It's a bold approach, but too often "Falling" comes off just as incorrigible as its lead character.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

Feb 6, 2021

It's beautifully done and intense with some very dramatic scenes.

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Francesca Steele

iNews.co.uk

Dec 10, 2024

3/5

Though it is an erratic film, it is compassionate to Willis and to love’s complexity, in the way that maybe only children can be.

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Brittany Patrice Witherspoon

Pop Culture Reviews

Jul 14, 2024

3/5

With this stunning debut, it's truly a wonder how Mortensen didn't find his way behind the camera sooner in his career.

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Rory Doherty

InSession Film

Jun 13, 2024

B-

Mortensen does a commendable job of arguing how we need to accept the complex, conflicting nature of memory, but like John reflecting on the fractious relationship with his father, we’re left wondering why things didn’t turn out better.

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Dan S

@jakmyw-ruqry9-tysseZ Jul 23, 2026

Very well written, acted and directed view of the later years in dementia of a n mean-spirited parent. Due to high rates of divorce in the aaaaUSA, the father may have represented a significant number of forever mean-spirited fathers. The comparison of the father in his earlier years to his curmudgeonly lat r years in dementia was very interesting.A very thoughtful and meaningful work.

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Judith H

@sugarpaws777 May 13, 2026

Excellent portrayal of the complexities of human relationships and of dementia.

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Rhonda S

@Santr249 Apr 10, 2026

I can't get into this. It jumps around. I don't know who these people are. I don't know what I'm watching. Came to rotten tomatoes to say, no thanks.

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Robin F

@RT47921139 Oct 10, 2025

If the aged father had been a little less volatile and rude it would make the film less grating and more believable. That said, the poignant aspects of this movie make it worth watching. Great cinematography, excellent performance by Viggo Mortensen. A

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Peter K

@Vacadoug Jul 8, 2025

Hard to watch, but unfortunately this a is cruel, real-life presentation for some folks with aging parents. The generational-gaps as presented in this well-acted and directed piece can be visceral and the disturbing language is certainly not for the faint-of-heart.

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Michael V

@RT01374702 Mar 9, 2025

Falling is a 2020 drama film written and directed by Viggo Mortensen in his feature directorial debut 👨🏽 Not bad, but not my favourite either 😉 It’s ok, but I feel mixed about this one 😉 I’d recommend it if you like this genre, but if not then probably give it a miss 👍🏼👎🏼 D John Peterson lives with his partner Eric and their adopted daughter in Southern California. When he is visited by his aging father Willis from Los Angeles who is searching for a place to retire, their two very different worlds collide.

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Synopsis

FALLING follows John (Viggo Mortensen) who lives with his partner, Eric (Terry Chen), and their daughter, Mónica (Gabby Velis), in California, far from the traditional rural life he left behind years ago, while his conservative father, Willis (Lance Henriksen), lives alone on the isolated farm where John grew up. In the early stages of dementia, Willis is brought to John's California home to help him relocate. Unfortunately, their best intentions ultimately run up against Willis's adamant refusal to change his way of life in the slightest.

Director: Viggo Mortensen
Producer: Daniel Bekerman, Chris Curling, Viggo Mortensen
Screenwriter: Viggo Mortensen
Distributor: Perceval Pictures
Production Co: Achille Productions, Baral Waley Productions , Zephyr Films, Ingenious Media, Scythia Films, Perceval Pictures
Rating: R (Crude Sexual References|Brief Sexuality|Language Throughout|Nudity|Offensive Slurs)
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 5, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 5, 2021
Runtime: 1h 52m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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