Is Downhill Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Downhill is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 87 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
Downhill Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2020, Downhill emerges as a significant entry in the Drama, Comedy domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Barely escaping an avalanche during a family ski vacation in the Alps, a married couple is thrown into disarray as they are forced to reevaluate their lives and how they feel about each other. Unlike standard genre fare, Downhill attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Downhill features a noteworthy lineup led by Julia Louis-Dreyfus . Supported by the likes of Will Ferrell and Zach Woods , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Downhill (2020) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Downhill Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Downhill is a Drama, Comedy film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through nuanced character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Barely escaping an avalanche during a family ski vacation in the Alps, a married couple is thrown into disarray as they are forced to reevaluate their lives and how they feel about each other. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's themes.
Downhill Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Downhill attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Downhill reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Downhill?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Downhill Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $7.5M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
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Full Cast & Crew of Downhill
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Billie Stanton
- Will Ferrell – Pete Stanton
- Zach Woods – Zach
- Miranda Otto – Charlotte
- Giulio Berruti – Guglielmo
Top Highlights
Julia Louis-DreyfusBillie Stanton
Will FerrellPete Stanton
Zach WoodsZach
Miranda OttoCharlotte
Giulio BerrutiGuglielmo
Zoë ChaoRosie
Julian GreyFinn Stanton
Ammon Jacob FordEmerson Stanton
Kristofer HivjuMichel
Alex MacqueenCharlie
Where to Watch Downhill Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Hulu
fuboTV
YouTube TV🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon Video
Apple TVFandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Downhill is rated R. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.2/10, and global collection metrics, Downhill stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2020 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Downhill movie hit or flop?
Downhill has received mixed reviews with a 5.2/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Downhill worth watching?
Downhill is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Drama, Comedy movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch Downhill online?
Downhill is currently available for streaming on Hulu. You can also check for it on platforms like Hulu, fuboTV, YouTube TV depending on your region.
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How Downhill Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Downhill
Altogether forgettable, 'Downhill' is an avalanche of its own - starting off more than a little rocky, it accelerates towards its destination as it wipes out everything in its path, whitewashing what was there beforehand. This is an adaptation not only unworthy of the original, but unworthy of the cast it enlisted. Just go hunt down 'Force Majeure'. - Charlie David Page Read Charlie's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-downhill-a-slippery-slope-for-julia-louis-dreyfus-and-will-ferrell
The dry humour in this film is dryer than dry ice!
Horrible watch, will not watch again, and warn against. As much as I am not a fan of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, I thought Will Ferrell would be a proper counter balance. This is a somewhat closer to the vibe of "Everything Must Go", except now the wife and kids are there to actively attack. That perspective does show that the movie does what it intended to do, have the audience relate to the trouble and turmoil of the characters, but I just don't feel like it amounted to much. Perhaps this is intended for a very specific audience of "troubled" or "broken" families trying to stay together, but it really almost feels more like like someone's therapy exercise as an outlet on how to deal with the pain of a similar event.
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
