Instant Family

Name: Instant Family
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family
Released: November 16, 2018
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 57
Cast: Allyn Rachel, Britt Rentschler, Carson Holmes, Charlie McDermott, Eve Harlow

2018

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 118 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 118 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: November 16, 2018 | PG-13

Starring: Allyn Rachel, Britt Rentschler, Carson Holmes, Charlie McDermott, Eve Harlow, Gustavo Quiroz, Iliza Shlesinger, Isabela Moner, Julianna Gamiz, Julie Hagerty, Margo Martindale, Mark Wahlberg, Octavia Spencer, Rose Byrne, Tig Notaro, Tom Segura

Summary: When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete andWhen Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15 year old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family. [Paramount Pictures]… Expand

Director: Sean Anders

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 118 min

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Critic Reviews

William Bibbiani

Nov 14, 2018

Instant Family is a decent, involving, endearing story, with funny performances and heartfelt, entirely earned dramatic crescendoes. Read full review

Chris Nashawaty

Nov 14, 2018

At its heart (and it’s a big corny heart, for sure), the film’s message is one of unconditional love and embracing family wherever you find it. It’s hard to argue with. Especially when it’s served up with such spiky laughter-through-tears sweetness. Read full review

Matthew Monagle

Nov 15, 2018

The challenge – the one this film proves incapable of overcoming – is how you marry a broad family comedy with the endless complexity of the adoption process. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Nov 14, 2018

In the roller coaster between serious and silly that Instant Family bounces along on, Byrne is the Fast-Pass holder, and she makes this uneven dramedy a hoot, and more importantly, makes it work. Read full review

Empire Ian Freer

Feb 13, 2019

For all its formula, Instant Family is a winning confection, unafraid to go to unexpected dramatic places and elevated by Byrne’s gift as a comedy foil and Moner’s lively but subtle turn. Read full review

Barbara VanDenburgh

Nov 16, 2018

The result is too well-meaning and sincere to truly dislike, but too frictionless and manufactured to do right by the complicated scenario. Read full review

Michael Roffman

Nov 14, 2018

If you’re going to tackle serious subject matter, maybe don’t run it through tacky fluff that amounts to a fleeting sugar high. Sure, this movie will get all the right oohs and aahs, sighs and sobs — it certainly won over the freebie test audience at my screening, good god — but it won’t linger. Read full review

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User Reviews

manningn15

Nov 20, 2018

This movie was beautiful and hilarious at the same time. I got teary eyed and cried a few times in this movie. The writing, story, and screenplay were hilarious, beautiful, and sad. The entire cast performances were stupendous especially Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Moner, MargoThis movie was beautiful and hilarious at the same time. I got teary eyed and cried a few times in this movie. The writing, story, and screenplay were hilarious, beautiful, and sad. The entire cast performances were stupendous especially Mark Wahlberg, Rose Byrne, Isabela Moner, Margo Martindale, Tig Notaro, Octavia Spencer, Gustavo Quiroz, Julianna Gamiz, and Julie Hagerty. Instant Family is my 2nd favorite comedy movie ever, my 3rd favorite drama movie ever, one of my top 5 favorite movies of 2018, and one of my favorite movies of all time. A+.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

clarkaddison

Nov 29, 2018

This is such a strong movie. I will not say great movie, because it does have it`s flaws. Possibly the greatest adoption movie ever. It feels real, the emotions, the high and lows. But it`s message is strong and truly makes you think about your life. I love all the main cast. Mark and RoseThis is such a strong movie. I will not say great movie, because it does have it`s flaws. Possibly the greatest adoption movie ever. It feels real, the emotions, the high and lows. But it`s message is strong and truly makes you think about your life. I love all the main cast. Mark and Rose and especially the kids.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Declan1802

Aug 2, 2020

Ill be honest, I don't understand how the critic score is so low. I'm hit or miss when it comes to Mark Wahlberg movies but this was such a sweet comedy and genuinely did brilliantly in making the emotional scenes investing. The comedy you can take it or leave it but there are some genuineIll be honest, I don't understand how the critic score is so low. I'm hit or miss when it comes to Mark Wahlberg movies but this was such a sweet comedy and genuinely did brilliantly in making the emotional scenes investing. The comedy you can take it or leave it but there are some genuine laughs even if subtle. Definitely been one of the better movies i've seen recently.

The dynamic between Mark, Rose and Isabella is definitely one of the shining lights and the younger kids have some really funny bits as well as delivering in making you care about what happens in the end.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

livelovelaugh22

Jun 21, 2020

This is one of those movies that is just hard to review. The casting was great, with some big names including Mark Wahlberg, who performed well in this lighthearted film. I'm going to start with the comedy. The movie had funny slapstick comedy situations, with a solid bit of shock humor. TheThis is one of those movies that is just hard to review. The casting was great, with some big names including Mark Wahlberg, who performed well in this lighthearted film. I'm going to start with the comedy. The movie had funny slapstick comedy situations, with a solid bit of shock humor. The movie featured a disgusting scene that I don't care to talk about. Other than that sexual pile of goop and the 'beaner' gag, the movie took a lighthearted, and family friendly approach to humor. The movie tackled a serious topic in the form of foster kids, adoption, crime, and more. The problem with the drama implemented in this film was that there was always a cliché, happy ending to the situation. The ending was picture perfect, and everything felt so forced. That doesn't work when you're trying to make a drama. Though there are seemingly a ton of things I didn't like, it was an enjoyable crowd pleaser. Be in the right mindset to enjoy this.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

moviecritic68

Dec 8, 2018

The movie was actually better than the previews led me to believe. Took my daughter & granddaughter and everyone enjoyed it. One scene was a bit racy but went right over my 7 yr old's head. ( At least we hope so ) Had some good life lessons intermingled into the story.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amheretojudge

Feb 24, 2019

Adopt And Adapt.

Instant Family Anders has methods that are often on trial and questioned at times, but no matter how far away the film is from being perfect, it is undeniably and thoroughly entertaining. The tear jerking acts of the film comes in handy with the concept but what'sAdopt And Adapt.

Instant Family

Anders has methods that are often on trial and questioned at times, but no matter how far away the film is from being perfect, it is undeniably and thoroughly entertaining. The tear jerking acts of the film comes in handy with the concept but what's surprising is the slick humor of the script. The screenwriters Sean Anders (the director) and John Morris tries way too hard on drawing on the laughs between these big wallop of dramatic antics, and even though you can practically see them sweating behind the camera to try and tickle you, for the most part of the film they do succeed.

And primarily, I think this is their major contender- the surprise factor- since it is made with your typical format and textbook structure, one does not presume to have fun time. Does it get you? Yes, it does. And at times the writing does go manipulative but the film has a big heart for you to let few things go by, you wouldn't mind doing so, in fact, you'll love it. The support meetings are genuinely fun, with some cheap shots and repetitive jokes, the energy of that room is something we all connect and nod to.

The kids are allotted few characteristics to stick by; like the boy always gets himself hurt, which shucks away the integrity, but then it also draws in few chuckles. Rose Byrne as the mother of this family is sweet but unfortunately nothing more than that, despite of her irritation or annoyance towards the work that goes into it, barely anything else communicates to you. Mark Wahlberg as the father too looks a bit constrained and not in his A game on this one, although in his hectic last act, his meltdown is definitely powerful. Instant Family is exactly it sounds like, fast, flawed and heartwarming.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JackBangbee

Mar 6, 2020

marky mark should’ve stayed in the funky bunch
I’m so grateful for my best friend Olivia who made me come watch this movie
Also I love harry styles

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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