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Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

This is not a story about September 11th, it's a story about every day after.

2011129 minPG-13Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films
Director
Stephen Daldry
Starring
Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Viola Davis

A year after his father's death, Oskar, a troubled young boy, discovers a mysterious key he believes was left for him by his father and embarks on a scavenger hunt to find the matching lock.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close streaming on Howdy via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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via Prime Video

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close?

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close earns 10 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Star-studded.

Show 2 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close worth watching?

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close's Midcredits score is the 71st percentile of all films, from 171K ratings across 6 sources. 69% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

71st percentile

Better received than 71% of films

79th percentile among Adventure71st percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)63rd
Approval (how many liked it)77th

65 /100

63rd percentile of all films

72nd percentile among Adventure63rd percentile among 2010s

Critics 46 · Audience 67

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.1 — solid but not unanimous.

69% liked it

77th percentile of all films

82nd percentile among Adventure78th percentile among 2010s
69% rated it 7–1031% rated it 1–6

Critics 45% · Audience 61%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 2 Oscar noms · 8 wins / 25 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Motion Picture of the Year
  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role

96th percentile

171K ratings across platforms

93rd percentile among Adventure96th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 10% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$40M
Opening weekend$72K
Domestic gross$32M
Worldwide gross$55M

Returned 1.4× its budget — 84th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Oskar is a precocious, socially awkward child whose father died in the 9/11 attacks, and he embarks on a citywide quest to find the lock for a key his father left behind.

Fans praised

  • Thomas Horn's lead performance captures the character's vulnerability and intellectual precocity
  • Max von Sydow's wordless turn as The Renter carries deep emotional weight
  • respectful handling of grief and the human need for connection post-9/11

Detractors panned

  • protagonist Oskar is deeply annoying, rude, and impossible to sympathize with
  • plot is contrived, implausible, and relies on forced coincidences
  • uses 9/11 as a manipulative emotional crutch rather than genuine drama

What stands out

ActingDivisive72

Thomas Horn's debut praised as natural and affecting; von Sydow's silent performance lauded; Hanks and Bullock seen as solid but minor

Emotional impactDivisive55

deeply moving for some; transparently manipulative tearjerker for others

OriginalityDivisive45

9/11 as grief backdrop seen as fresh by some, exploitative by others

DialogueDivisive45

Oskar's narration is too precocious and artificial for many; a few find it emotionally sharp

EndingDivisive40

conclusion seen as overly sentimental and unearned; the key's reveal disappoints

PacingDivisive40

slow and meandering; over-long for many

Plot and storyDivisive38

quest feels forced and over-contrived; revelations seen as unearned

CharactersDivisive35

Oskar divides viewers as compellingly authentic vs. insufferably precious; side characters thin

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 12 points higher than men.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 11 points higher than critics.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 17 points higher than US viewers.

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

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Food for thought: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something to think about afterwards.

It takes its time and leaves you thinking. 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

Food for thought.

Moods
MelancholicHopefulBittersweet
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Tender · 13% of films
Told as
Nonlinear · 6% of films: Events shown out of chronological order.Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its heavy subject matter with earnest emotionality, never winking at the audience.
The rideThe mood is persistently sad and intimate, with a gradual, quiet shift toward hope in the final stretch.
StructureThe story unfolds through flashbacks to Oskar's father's life, making the chronology non-linear while maintaining a present-day quest.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

The answer rests on this: Thought-provokingBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film lingers with its exploration of grief and the search for meaning, leaving a lasting emotional and reflective impression.
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).QuestMission
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% (this title): Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% (this title) · 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%

Quest: A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles. · Mission: Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).

10% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeOskar's search for the lock that fits a mysterious key drives the story, forming a quest through New York City.

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 filmsSelfGriefSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · 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% (this title) · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15% (this title): 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%

Survival

Grief · 6% of filmsFamily bondsForgiveness · 1% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores a child's grief after a parent's death, the strain on family bonds, and the struggle for self-forgiveness over unspoken regret.
StanceThe film observes a child's grief without providing easy answers, maintaining an earnest, non-judgmental posture.

The world

Early 21st centuryUrbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernAmbientSupportive music · original score · Alexandre Desplat
SettingNew York City in the aftermath of 9/11, moving between a boy's home and the homes of strangers named Black
MusicThe score underlines the emotional weight with delicate, piano-led motifs.

Content guide

Is Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close okay for kids?

PG-13

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is rated PG-13: “Rated PG-13 for emotional thematic material, some disturbing images, and language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (42/100), sexual content at minimal (9/100), language at moderate (42/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (22/100) and frightening material at intense (67/100). Overall it is heavier than 57% of PG-13-rated films.

Ratings in 22 other countries
  • UK12A
  • AustraliaPG
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland12
  • JapanG
  • Brazil10
  • Belgium14
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark11
  • FinlandK-12
  • GreeceΚ
  • Hungary16
  • ItalyT
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • ROAP
  • Spain7
  • Sweden11
  • Switzerland12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 36% of all filmsHeavier than 57% of PG-13-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 44%
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 9%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 50%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 21%
Frightening / Intense
Intense
heavy for a PG-13-rated film
heavier than 86%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is frightening material. Everything else sits at or below what PG-13-rated films usually carry.

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 Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 4 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Tom Hanks
as Thomas Schell
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sandra Bullock
as Linda Schell
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Thomas Horn
as Oskar Schell
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Viola Davis
as Abby Black
John Goodman
as Stan the Doorman
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jeffrey Wright
as William Black
Zoe Caldwell
as Oskar's Grandmother
Max von Sydow
as The Renter
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Dennis Hearn
as Minister
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Paul Klementowicz
as Homeless Man
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.

Crew

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

4 of these 12 share its subject: forgiveness. Those cards say what else they share.

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