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Closer Media
Wayfarer Studios
Not part of a collection.
To do right by his son, one dad will go the distance.
Stand-up comedian Max Bernal lives with his father Stan while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra with his ex-wife. When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son's future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both their lives.
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots
Apr 4, 2025 · via TMDB
Director Tony Goldwyn‘s “Ezra” is a surprisingly heartfelt family drama that manages to be both funny and emotional in all the right ways. While it can sometimes feel too pedestrian, the story blends a road trip narrative with themes of family dynamics, personal trauma, and the unconditional love between a father and son. Max (Bobby Cannavale) is a stand-up comedian and a father to Ezra (William A. Fitzgerald), a young boy on the autism spectrum. Devoted to his son, Max is fiercely protective of his unique qualities while remaining adamant about not “fixing” him because he believes Ezra is perfect as he is. But when forced to make a tough choice about the boy ‘s future, Max acts rashly, taking Ezra on a cross-country journey without his ex-wife Jenna’s (Rose Byrne) permission. This impulsive move creates both tension and heartfelt moments, as it forces Max to confront the consequences of his actions and the depths of his love for his son. What sets the film apart is its authentic, raw portrayal of autism (the script is written by Tony Spiridakis, whose own experiences with an autistic son give the story an undeniable sense of realism). Fitzgerald (who is also on the spectrum) interacts with a world in a way that feels incredibly true to life because it is. The film captures the little things, like Ezra’s struggles with physical touch and his love for puzzles and memorization, without ever feeling exploitative. This is a film that doesn’t just shine a light on the challenges of autism, but exposes a world of nuance and individuality. You could say it’s educational in that way. Cannavale’s performance as a deeply flawed father who’s totally devoted to his son is impressive. I didn’t know the actor had this much range, and he’s quite good. His character’s anger-management issues and rash decisions add a layer of complexity but it’s clear that every wrong step he takes is driven by love that isn’t always expressed in the healthiest way. Byrne provides a grounding balance to the chaos, portraying a character who is the voice of reason, and Robert De Niro’s role as Max’s father, Stan, is written in a way that’s more meaningful than a series of platitudes that often surround a dad trying to make amends for his past failures. Stan’s attempts to connect with Ezra and support his son are touching, and De Niro’s performance adds a depth to the family dynamics that feels earned and real. The film strikes a perfect balance between drama and humor. There are moments of missteps where you’ll cringe at Max’s choices, but there’s never any doubt about his fierce, unwavering love for his son. This father-son relationship is at the emotional center of the film and serves as a reminder of how love can be messy, complicated, but also transformative. “Ezra” is a story about family and how love isn’t always perfect. It blends humor and heart so well, providing a funny and moving look at fatherhood, redemption, and the bond between generations. By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Spectrum On Demand
Bobby Cannavale
Max Bernal
William A. Fitzgerald
Ezra Bernal
Robert De Niro
Stan Bernal
Rose Byrne
Jenna
Vera Farmiga
Grace
Whoopi Goldberg
Jayne
Rainn Wilson
Nick
Tony Goldwyn
Bruce
Jackson Frazer
Ridgeway
Greer Barnes
Greer
Tess Goldwyn
Ms. Cathro
Ella Ayberk
Dr. Irina Tamarova
Lois Robbins
Susan
Alex Plank
Dr. Kaplan
Daphne Rubin-Vega
Agent Margo Jenkins
Matilda Lawler
Ruby
Joe Pacheco
Special Agent Costa
Amy Sheehan
Mrs. C.
Geoffrey Owens
Robert Segal
Barzin Akhavan
Dr. Jeffrey Wells
Donna Vivino
Noreen, Woman in Bar
Jacqueline Nwabueze
Sister Margaret
John Donovan Wilson
Sheriff Tom
Joshua Hinck
Tim
David Marciano
Detective Harrelson
Dov Davidoff
Self
Brian Donahue
Bouncer
Myra Lucretia Taylor
Margo
Jack Parrish
Classmate
Alex Barber
Ezra's Classmate
Julia Linger
Waitress
Skyler Wenger
Classroom Kid
Jimmy Kimmel
Jimmy Kimmel
Guillermo Rodriguez
Guillermo Rodriguez
Zoe Cali
Cally
Emma Willmann
Self
Mia Caro
Agent Pena
Bev Sheehan
Waitress at Diner
Daniel Moder
Director of Photography
Andre Da Silva
Stunt Double
Tony Goldwyn
Director
Nat Jencks
Colorist
Sabine Hoffman
Editor
Alex Plank
Associate Producer
Andrew Dahreddine
Casting Assistant
Bobby Cannavale
Executive Producer
Justin Baldoni
Executive Producer
Lois Robbins
Executive Producer
Robert De Niro
Executive Producer
Zhang Xin
Executive Producer
Jon Kilik
Producer
Tony Goldwyn
Producer
Tony Spiridakis
Producer
William Horberg
Producer
Carlos Rafael Rivera
Original Music Composer
Tony Spiridakis
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Versus
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Stripper Wives
1999
Sally's Beauty Spot
1990
Sign in to vote
Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
Leaderboard →Playing as a guest — sign in to save your score and rank on the leaderboard.
Movie Trivia
Guess the movie from a clue — tagline, plot, cast and more. Pick from four posters.
What movie experience do you prefer?
What is your favorite movie genre?
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