Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Name: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: June 22, 2012
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 59
Cast: Adam Brody, Keira Knightley, Melanie Lynskey, Melinda Dillon, Patton Oswalt

2012

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 36 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 188 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 188 Ratings

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Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: June 22, 2012 | R

Starring: Adam Brody, Keira Knightley, Melanie Lynskey, Melinda Dillon, Patton Oswalt, Steve Carell

Summary: Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity’s last days are at hand. As the respective journeys of Dodge and Penny converge, the two spark to each other and their outlooks – if not the world’s – brighten. (Focus Features)

Director: Lorene Scafaria

Genre(s): Sci-Fi, Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Steve Persall

Jun 20, 2012

It's more amusing than you might expect, and ultimately more touching than an eroding society around them deserves. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Jun 20, 2012

In our summertime-movie world of aliens and superheroes who look all too familiar, Dodge and Penny look all the rarer in their precious humanity. Read full review

Boxoffice Magazine Kate Erbland

Jun 19, 2012

A charmingly lo-fi love story. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Jun 19, 2012

It pitches a tone between comedy and tragedy that holds unique appeal. Read full review

Movieline Alison Willmore

Jun 20, 2012

Combines a deviously tragicomic take on the approaching annihilation of mankind with a irritatingly unconvincing and unnecessary love story. Read full review

Ty Burr

Jun 21, 2012

Carell's performance is enjoyable but safe, and while he and Knightley play well enough together, there's no genuine chemistry - no zap to convince us these two deserve to be the last lovers on Earth. Read full review

Andrew Schenker

Jun 18, 2012

A predictable, drawn-out romantic comedy that happens to be set in the shadow of impending apocalypse. Read full review

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User Reviews

genuinerealist

Jun 23, 2012

This is going to be one of the true 'love-it-or-hate-it' movies of recent years. I loved it, so give it a ten. What may frustrate some is that the film (though consistent throughout) does not reveal its intentions until the last third. It isn't a rom-com. It's a flat out romance. AlthoughThis is going to be one of the true 'love-it-or-hate-it' movies of recent years. I loved it, so give it a ten. What may frustrate some is that the film (though consistent throughout) does not reveal its intentions until the last third. It isn't a rom-com. It's a flat out romance. Although there are a lot of really funny comic flourishes, it isn't a comedy. What the screenplay portrays in superbly natural but affecting dialog is the growing intimacy of Dodge (hero) and Penny (heroine) in this horrific situation. Most of this is done in subtext, as the picture depicts the various reactions ordinary human beings have to the impending apocalypse. When the picture finally opens up and reveals that its subject all along has been the relationship of these two, the effect is tremendously moving. The final moments are emotionally satisfying to a degree that few love stories never achieve. I am totally at odds with the critics who found this cliched or trite - what the hell do you expect people to say to each other as the world ends?

Knightly is excellent. Carrell is Oscarworthy. Her character is late 20's, early 30's. His is 40ish. The age discrepancy is not crazy, and in fact works fairly well in the movie. (She has energy, he has a little more wisdom, and is mildly protective.) The picture in my view is a masterpiece. Others will disagree, but you at least have reasons why those in the 'love' camp find the picture so endearing.… Expand

8 of 11 users found this helpful83

hoops2448

Oct 14, 2012

This is not a happy story, this film will in no way end happily. However that doesn't mean there isn't great humour, joy and warmth in this wonderfully crafted movie by first time director Lorene Scafaria. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is the story of Dodge (Steve Carrell), a manThis is not a happy story, this film will in no way end happily. However that doesn't mean there isn't great humour, joy and warmth in this wonderfully crafted movie by first time director Lorene Scafaria. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is the story of Dodge (Steve Carrell), a man living with regret that his life has had no meaning. This regret is magnified by the fact his wife has left him and he has possibly the worst friends ever. Oh and there's the fact the world is going to end in 3 weeks thanks to a giant asteroid. This puts Dodge in a reflective mood and he thinks of his past love and whether he can see her again. Meanwhile free spirited Penny (Keira Knightley) living underneath him is torn up over the fact she missed the last flight to England and will never see her family again. Through various hijinks the two collide and vow to help each other. It's an unusual film in that the premise is so incredibly depressing and upsetting but the result is down to earth, clever and heartwarming. The film handles some serious themes but never lets them overburden the film as a whole. The discussion of mortality in the film is incredibly moving as Dodge wishes he had made the most of his life but always knew he wouldn't live long where as Penny wants to live if only because she doesn't feel fulfilled. The most surprising thing about the film is that it dares to be risque and crude in its comedy while delivering a finished product that will touch even the most cynical of people. The supporting cast is extensive and there is not a weak link in the bunch, which includes Patton Oswalt and William Petersen to name but a few. However the film wouldn't work without its two leads and both Carrell and Knightley give career high performances, especially the latter who tones down her performance to match the characters quiet yet frantic nature. It's a film that will surprise and impress with every twist and encounter right up to its final conclusion which may or may not have you weeping like a baby.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

SeeEm_CallEm

Jun 24, 2012

This is one of those films that just works for me. Given the basic story, such as it is, it would be difficult to make this movie work. Yet the handling of the details, the craftsmanship of the writers and actors, etc. do make it work. And it works at different levels as well. It is notThis is one of those films that just works for me. Given the basic story, such as it is, it would be difficult to make this movie work. Yet the handling of the details, the craftsmanship of the writers and actors, etc. do make it work. And it works at different levels as well. It is not a comedy, yet has moments that are very funny. Certainly this film won't be for everybody, but for a lot of people, I believe it will.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

cabrita

Jun 22, 2012

Although the film engages it's viewers by the second half with a drama that surprisingly tug's on the heart, the first half is unfunny and unengaging. Nothing can be worst then continuous gags that completely fall flat. The film is probably a 5, but I gave it a bonus mark for having theAlthough the film engages it's viewers by the second half with a drama that surprisingly tug's on the heart, the first half is unfunny and unengaging. Nothing can be worst then continuous gags that completely fall flat. The film is probably a 5, but I gave it a bonus mark for having the audacity to deliver the ending that it did.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

MarcDoyle

Jun 23, 2012

As several other users have noted, this is not a rom-com, but a true story of romance. It takes some time to get there, but it's a moving film. Interestingly, the end of the movie reminded me of the end of Melancholia, but it's not nearly as ponderous and heavy as the latter. Steve CarellAs several other users have noted, this is not a rom-com, but a true story of romance. It takes some time to get there, but it's a moving film. Interestingly, the end of the movie reminded me of the end of Melancholia, but it's not nearly as ponderous and heavy as the latter. Steve Carell is terrific as usual in a very earnest role, and Knightly is a good casting choice. There are a bunch of great comedians (Rob Cordry, Amy Schumer) that round out the cast effectively - especially during the free-for-all segments. Finally, a quick note that T.J. Miller steals the show with his role as the host at a TJI Friday's type of restaurant that's still operating amidst the chaos. He's consistently funny in every movie he's a part of (She's Out of My League, etc.) and deserves to be a lead.… Expand

9 of 10 users found this helpful91

sickdrummer1

Oct 30, 2012

First half of the movie is great. Second half is slow and boring. And the romance between the two is not very relatable. If you are an ending-person (for lack of a better expression), think twice before you watch this.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Broyax

Apr 14, 2019

Alors que la fin du monde est annoncée pour dans trois semaines, un improbable duo se rencontre... pensez donc, l'andouille Carell et l'égérie Knightley, le couple antinomique par excellence... La belle et l'idiot en somme. La belle a pu se libérer entre deux pubs mais ne fournit ici bienAlors que la fin du monde est annoncée pour dans trois semaines, un improbable duo se rencontre... pensez donc, l'andouille Carell et l'égérie Knightley, le couple antinomique par excellence... La belle et l'idiot en somme. La belle a pu se libérer entre deux pubs mais ne fournit ici bien pingrement que le minmum syndical, ce qui s'avère inacceptable. Quant au benêt, il a l'air autant perdu qu'à la masse dans cette eau de rose à la con de mes deux.

Ce n'est pas que du romantisme gnangnan à la petite semaine cela dit (et plus si affinités avec public ado émo), c'est aussi une pseudo-comédie : pas drôle et manquant singulièrement d'idées avec pourtant un point de départ ou plutôt une simple idée qui aurait pu donner quelque chose... ou pas. Là, on est seulement dans le "ou pas" et le remplissage de vide... avec de la merde.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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91	#91 Most Discussed Movie of 2012
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