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American Symphony

American Symphony

2023104 minPG-13Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Director
Matthew Heineman
Starring
Jon Batiste, Suleika Jaouad, Louis Cato, Stephen Colbert

Musician Jon Batiste attempts to compose a symphony as his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad, undergoes cancer treatment.

Where to watch

Where can I watch American Symphony?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists American Symphony streaming on Netflix.

Subscription

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about American Symphony?

American Symphony earns 4 badges, led by Standout soundtrack and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is American Symphony worth watching?

American Symphony's Midcredits score is the 73rd percentile of all films, from 24K ratings across 6 sources. 65% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

73rd percentile

Better received than 73% of films

41st percentile among Documentary74th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)72nd
Approval (how many liked it)72nd

68 /100

72nd percentile of all films

36th percentile among Documentary72nd percentile among 2020s

Critics 76 · Audience 67

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

65% liked it

72nd percentile of all films

47th percentile among Documentary73rd percentile among 2020s
65% rated it 7–1035% rated it 1–6

Critics 94% · Audience 74%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 1 Oscar noms · 19 wins / 52 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)
  • NominatedBAFTA Awards· Best Documentary

Reach

How many have seen it

87th percentile

24K ratings across platforms

97th percentile among Documentary87th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 18% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

An intimate documentary that follows Jon Batiste's career highs and his wife's cancer battle, valued for its raw emotional moments but criticized for a scattered story and overly close camera work.

Fans praised

  • intimate portrait of love and resilience through life's extremes
  • deeply moving emotional impact without being manipulative
  • revealing look at artistic process and personal vulnerability

Detractors panned

  • feels staged, intrusive, and emotionally manipulative
  • unfocused narrative that tries to cover too many themes
  • ugly, amateurish cinematography with frequent out-of-focus shots

What stands out

Sound and musicDivisive85

Batiste's music celebrated, both performance and composition

Emotional impactDivisive80

heartbreaking and uplifting, but some call it manipulative

CharactersDivisive80

portrait of Batiste's vulnerability and Jaouad's resilience

AtmosphereDivisive75

immersive emotional tone, some feel intrusively intimate

EndingDivisive70

Carnegie Hall performance provides catharsis

Plot and storyDivisive55

unfocused narrative, tries to cover too many themes

Pacing55

occasionally meandering, uneven rhythm

CinematographyDivisive40

divisive: praised for intimacy, panned for amateurish look

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US 9 points apart

Watch experience

What is American Symphony like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Moving and uplifting: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to be moved and come out lifted.

It takes its time and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moving and uplifting.

Moods
BittersweetHopeful
Heaviest: middle
Register
Tender · 13% of filmsWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe documentary presents its subjects with deep empathy and intimacy, never undercutting the emotional reality.
The rideThe film moves between celebratory creative highs and the emotional lows of cancer treatment, with the heaviest emotional weight felt during Jaouad's chemotherapy sessions and the couple's therapy scenes.
StructureThe documentary chronologically follows Jon Batiste's year of composing the symphony and his wife's cancer treatment.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves the viewer uplifted by the couple's resilience and love, while the underlying seriousness of illness lingers.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeDocumentary follows real events without a fictional plot archetype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfMarriageBonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% (this title) · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Marriage · 2% of filmsPurpose · 9% of filmsGrief · 6% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad's partnership as she undergoes cancer treatment, exploring how their marriage sustains them through crisis, while also examining Batiste's drive to create meaning through art and the looming threat of loss.
StanceThe film affirms the power of art and partnership to sustain hope and meaning in the face of illness, celebrating Jon and Suleika's resilience and love.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalJazzPopForeground music · original score · Jon Batiste
SettingJon Batiste's home and professional life in New York City during a year of Grammy recognition and the creation of his first symphony, interwoven with hospital visits and therapy sessions
MusicBatiste's own compositions, including the titular symphony, form the film's musical backbone, blending classical orchestration with his signature jazz and pop influences.

Content guide

Is American Symphony okay for kids?

PG-13

American Symphony is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for some strong language” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (0/100), sexual content at minimal (0/100), language at mild (22/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (17/100) and frightening material at minimal (11/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 27 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany6
  • Ireland12
  • New ZealandR13
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil12
  • Argentina+13
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark7
  • FinlandK-7
  • Hungary16
  • IndiaU/A 16+
  • LTN-13
  • Netherlands9
  • PhilippinesR-13
  • Poland16
  • PRPG-13
  • RO15
  • SingaporePG13
  • South Africa13
  • Spain7
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland12
  • TH13
  • Türkiye16+
  • VIPG-13
Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (3 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (13 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does American Symphony have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in American Symphony?

Cast

Jon Batiste
as Self
Suleika Jaouad
as Self
Louis Cato
as Self
Stephen Colbert
as Self
Billie Eilish
as Self
Simon Helberg
as Self
Lenny Kravitz
as Self
Trevor Noah
as Self
Questlove
as Self
James Taylor
as Self

Crew

More like this

What are movies like American Symphony?

Movies like American Symphony include Sly (2023), Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017) and Whitney (2018). Of the 5 closest matches, most are films set in New York, and two are films about purpose.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

4 of these 5 share its story type: music documentary. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with American Symphony?

2.2K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: caretaker and dependent. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.