🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Lake Bell
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Release year: 2013
- Runtime (length): 1h 33min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (34K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A struggling voice coach battles her dad and a himbo for movie trailer fame, but it turns out the whole thing was just a setup to empower women, even though they’re still being told how to sound.
🍿 In a World…: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Carol and the Voice-Over World
Carol Solomon, a struggling vocal coach in her early thirties, lives in the shadow of her successful voice-over artist father, Sam Soto. The film introduces the competitive world of voice-over work, dominated by men like Sam and his protégé, Gustav Warner. Carol aspires to break into this industry, facing sexism and familial challenges.

Challenges and Opportunities
Carol’s life takes a turn when her father asks her to move out to accommodate his younger girlfriend. Simultaneously, the death of legendary voice-over artist Don LaFontaine creates an opportunity in the industry, particularly for a coveted role in an upcoming movie quadrilogy. Carol unexpectedly lands a job creating a temp track for the movie trailer, which gains positive attention and puts her in direct competition with her father and Gustav.

Personal and Professional Conflicts
As Carol navigates the competitive world of voice-overs, she also deals with personal challenges. Her sister, Dani, faces marital issues, and Carol finds herself drawn to Louis, a sound engineer who supports her career aspirations. The film explores themes of family dynamics, gender inequality, and the pursuit of dreams in a male-dominated industry.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Carol Solomon (Lake Bell): An underachieving vocal coach determined to break into the male-dominated world of movie trailer voice-overs.
- Sam Soto (Fred Melamed): Carol’s famous, arrogant father and voice-over artist who struggles to support his daughter’s ambitions.
- Louis (Demetri Martin): A shy and supportive sound engineer who develops a crush on Carol and helps her pursue her voice-over career.
- Dani (Michaela Watkins): Carol’s supportive but flawed sister who works as a hotel concierge and navigates marital issues.
- Moe (Rob Corddry): Dani’s husband who faces a marital crisis when he misinterprets Dani’s friendly interactions with a hotel guest.
- Gustav Warner (Ken Marino): An egotistical voice-over artist and rival of Carol’s who embodies the competitive nature of the industry.
- Jamie (Alexandra Holden): Sam’s younger girlfriend who helps him see his daughters’ perspectives and become a more supportive father.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Carol: “I just want to give you my card. I’m not a vocal coach anymore, but I would make an exception for you because you sound like a squeaky toy. And I don’t mean that in a bad way.” – Carol offers her services to a woman with an affected ‘sexy baby’ voice, aiming to help her achieve a more professional sound.
- Carol: “Let’s be honest, the industry is not craving a female voice.” – Carol acknowledges the uphill battle women face in the male-dominated world of voice-over acting.
- Katherine Huling: “I’m using you for a bigger purpose.” – The producer reveals to Carol that she was chosen for the trailer role not because she was the best, but to promote female empowerment.
- Sam: “A great voice is a blessing and a choice.” – Sam, during his Lifetime Achievement Award speech, acknowledges the importance of voice and talent, and dedicates the award to his daughters.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $1.3 million
- Domestic Gross: $2,963,902
- Worldwide Gross: $3,114,953
💥 In a World… Reviews
Personal Review
I absolutely loved this movie! It’s quirky, funny, and surprisingly insightful. Lake Bell is amazing as Carol, and the whole cast is fantastic. I especially enjoyed the scenes where she’s coaching Eva Longoria – hilarious! It’s a feel-good movie with a feminist message that doesn’t feel preachy. I found it refreshing and thoroughly entertaining and rooted for Carol from the start.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of independent films and comedies”
- “Viewers interested in behind-the-scenes of the entertainment industry”
- “Those who enjoy stories about female empowerment and overcoming obstacles”
- “Anyone who appreciates clever writing and quirky characters”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some strong language”
- “Suggestive humor and situations”
- “Brief references to drug use and marital infidelity”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “Lake Bell’s directorial debut is a quirky and insightful comedy that explores the dynamics of family, ambition, and gender roles within the niche world of voice-over artists. While the humor is subtle, the film’s authenticity and relatable characters make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Bell’s screenplay is sharp and witty, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges women face in male-dominated industries. The supporting cast is fantastic, particularly Fred Melamed as Carol’s father, but the film occasionally loses focus amidst its numerous subplots.
Audience Reactions
Viewers praised Lake Bell’s multi-talented performance as writer, director, and actress.: Audiences appreciated the film’s witty humor, relatable characters, and insightful commentary on gender dynamics in the voice-over industry.
Many viewers enjoyed the realistic portrayal of family dynamics and sibling relationships.: Fans found the film refreshing, original, and thought-provoking, praising it for its quirky charm and heartfelt message.
Overall Consensus: A quirky and heartwarming comedy with a feminist message, praised for its witty writing, relatable characters, and Lake Bell’s impressive performance as writer, director, and actress.
Awards
- Sundance Film Festival (Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award)- 2013
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Lake Bell not only starred in, wrote, and directed the film but also voiced Sam and Gustav’s agents heard over the phone.”
- “The film includes clips of TV commercials featuring Don LaFontaine, the legendary voice-over artist known for popularizing the ‘In a world…’ phrase, during the opening credits as a tribute.”
- “Lake Bell wrote the script with specific comedic actors in mind, many of whom appear in the film.”
- “Geena Davis and Eva Longoria make cameo appearances in the film, highlighting the presence of women in the entertainment industry, a theme explored in the movie.”
🖥️ How to Watch In a World…?
Currently, ‘In a World…’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. You can also find DVD and Blu-ray copies at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart, or from online movie rental services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed In a World…, you might like these similar films:
- Obvious Child (2014): Both films are female-driven comedies that explore modern women navigating their careers and relationships with wit and honesty.
- Young Adult (2011): Focuses on a woman pursuing her career as well as showcasing strong female leads with unconventional goals.
- Frances Ha (2012): Captures the struggles and comedic moments of a young woman trying to find her place in the world, similar to Carol’s journey.
- Broadcast News (1987): A look behind the scenes at the work, pressures and relationships inside a news broadcasting company.
🛒 In a World… Related Products
- In a World… [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed comedy on Blu-ray for the best viewing experience, complete with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
- Voice Acting for Dummies: Learn the basics of voice acting with this comprehensive guide. Perfect for aspiring voice-over artists inspired by the movie.
- Funny Voice Over: The Funniest Voices In The World! [Audiobook]: Laugh Along With Hilarious Short-form Comedy Voices On Demand
- Sam Sotto Enunciate Vanity Plate T-Shirt: A tribute to Lake Bell’s character Carol Solomon. You’ll get a chuckle when you show off this movie inspired t-shirt.
🎧 Soundtrack
In a World… features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
It’s a comedy-drama about a woman trying to break into the male-dominated world of movie trailer voice-overs, while dealing with family dynamics and gender inequality.
Don LaFontaine was a legendary voice-over artist known for his iconic movie trailer intros, often beginning with the phrase “In a world…”. The film pays tribute to his influence on the industry.
The title refers to the iconic opening line used by Don LaFontaine in countless movie trailers. It symbolizes the power of voice and the competitive nature of the voice-over industry, as well as the opportunity Carol seeks to claim her space within it.
🔥 Bonus Content
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Okay, a T-Rex vs I-Rex battle? YES, PLEASE! This fan film takes the Jurassic World action to another level, and it’s way more intense than I expected. You have to see this!
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Imagine a world where your entire life is determined by a ranking system… sounds wild, right? This clip from the movie explores that concept, and it’s honestly pretty scary how relevant it feels. Give it a watch!
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