The Humans Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A family gathers for Thanksgiving in an apartment that seems to be actively trying to kill them with its plumbing, and everyone’s inner demons come out to play hide-and-seek.

🍿 The Humans: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Thanksgiving Gathering

The Blake family gathers in a rundown New York City apartment for Thanksgiving. Brigid, the younger daughter, and her boyfriend, Richard, have just moved in. Erik and Deirdre, the parents, arrive with Erik’s elderly and ailing mother, Momo, and their other daughter, Aimee. From the start, the atmosphere is tense and uncomfortable, hinting at deeper issues within the family dynamic.

Family Tensions Emerge

As the evening progresses, long-simmering resentments and anxieties bubble to the surface. Brigid is frustrated by her lack of financial support from her parents and her stalled career as a composer. Aimee is dealing with a painful breakup and health issues. Erik is visibly uneasy and critical, while Deirdre clings to her religious beliefs and makes passive-aggressive remarks. The apartment itself seems to amplify the unease with its strange noises and dilapidated condition.

Secrets and Revelations

The family members begin to share their dreams and nightmares, revealing their deepest fears and insecurities. Erik eventually confesses to having had an affair, which cost him his job and pension, and forced the family to sell their lake house. This revelation deeply shakes Brigid and Aimee, causing them to question their father’s character and their own upbringing.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Erik (Richard Jenkins): The patriarch of the Blake family, Erik is a troubled man haunted by past regrets and financial anxieties.
• Deirdre (Jayne Houdyshell): Erik’s wife, Deirdre is a religious woman dealing with arthritis and family tensions.
• Brigid (Beanie Feldstein): The younger daughter, Brigid is a struggling composer hosting Thanksgiving in her new, dilapidated apartment.
• Richard (Steven Yeun): Brigid’s boyfriend, Richard is a supportive partner dealing with his own struggles with depression and career uncertainty.
• Aimee (Amy Schumer): The elder daughter, Aimee is a lawyer dealing with a chronic illness, job loss, and a recent breakup.
• Momo (June Squibb): Erik’s senile mother, Momo’s declining health adds to the family’s burdens and anxieties.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Erik: “Don’t you think it should cost less to be alive?” – Expresses Erik’s anxieties about financial strain and the increasing burdens of modern life.
• Deirdre: “We’re supposed to be Christians.” – Deirdre says this when people mock her and use it as a moral reminder during a moment of family tension, highlighting her faith and attempt to keep the peace.
• Erik: “There’s a lot of things that are much worse than you think.” – Erik says this capturing the film’s exploration of hidden anxieties and unspoken fears within the family.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $47,029

💥 The Humans Reviews

Personal Review

I walked away from ‘The Humans’ feeling like I’d just eavesdropped on a real family’s Thanksgiving dinner. It was uncomfortable, raw, and sometimes hard to watch, but also deeply relatable. The scene where Richard Jenkins’ character breaks down in the dark was particularly haunting. It really made me think about the unspoken burdens we all carry. Not a feel-good movie, but definitely a powerful one.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in family dynamics and psychological thrillers”
  • “Those who appreciate A24 films”
  • “People who enjoy stage-to-screen adaptations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Themes of anxiety, depression, and family dysfunction”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Implied infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Karam skillfully adapts his play, using the claustrophobic setting to amplify the family’s anxieties. The film’s strength lies in its realistic portrayal of strained relationships and the quiet dread that permeates everyday life. Jenkins and Houdyshell deliver outstanding performances.
• Variety: “While dialogue heavy and visually bleak, ‘The Humans’ captivates with its superb ensemble cast and Karam’s keen understanding of family dynamics. The film’s unsettling atmosphere and unresolved tensions linger long after the credits roll, making it a thought-provoking experience.

Audience Reactions

The acting was phenomenal, especially Richard Jenkins and Jayne Houdyshell.: Viewers consistently praised the realistic portrayal of family interactions and the performances of the cast.

Overall Consensus: A claustrophobic and unsettling drama, ‘The Humans’ resonates with its authentic portrayal of family tensions and anxieties, bolstered by strong performances, though some find its bleakness and slow pace off-putting.

Awards

1. Tony Award (Best Play)- 2016
2. Tony Award (Best Featured Actress in a Play (Jayne Houdyshell))- 2016

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is an adaptation of Stephen Karam’s Tony Award-winning play of the same name.”
• “Jayne Houdyshell reprises her role as Deirdre Blake from the Broadway production, for which she won a Tony Award.”
• “The movie was filmed in a real, dilapidated apartment in New York City to enhance the sense of unease and claustrophobia.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Humans?

The Humans is available to stream on Showtime, and through Paramount+ which bundles Showtime content. You can also rent or purchase the film on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability on demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Humans, you might like these similar films:

• August: Osage County (2013): Focuses on a dysfunctional family gathering with secrets and resentments boiling to the surface.
• The Celebration (1998): A family gathering where dark secrets are revealed, leading to emotional and dramatic confrontation.
• Krisha (2015): Deals with addiction and family tension during Thanksgiving, creating an increasingly uncomfortable atmosphere.

🛒 The Humans Related Products

• The Humans: A Play: The Pulitzer Prize-nominated play by Stephen Karam, on which the film is based. A must-have for theater enthusiasts and fans of the movie.
• Family Board Games – TableTopics Family: Questions to Start Great Conversations: TableTopics Family is filled with fun conversation starters that will get everyone at the table talking. Perfect for family dinners, game nights, road trips and more!

🎧 Soundtrack

The Humans features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Variations for Winds, Strings and Keyboards” – performed by Steve Reich

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

If Humans Have Lie Detectors

Ever wondered what the world would be like if we all had built-in lie detectors? This video dives into that hilarious and chaotic reality! It’s pretty wild to think about, you have to check it out!

If Humans Cannot Lie

What if telling the truth was the only option? This video explores the consequences of a world without lies, and it’s more complicated (and funny) than you might think! Honestly, some situations are a riot.

If Humans Can Only Be ANGRY

Imagine a world fueled by pure, unadulterated anger. This short video takes you there, and it’s surprisingly insightful (and maybe a little scary)! I never realized how much anger affects our daily interactions.

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