The Discovery

  • 2017
  • Not Rated
  • 102m
movieMx RATING
6.3
1.4K
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
Advertisement

The Discovery Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 16, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 16, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: The Discovery

MovieThe Discovery
Release Year2017
DirectorCharlie McDowell
GenreDrama / Romance / Science Fiction / Thriller / Mystery
Runtime102 minutes
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Discovery (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in The Discovery are led by Jason Segel . The supporting cast, including Rooney Mara and Robert Redford , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of The Discovery (2017) is mixed. It has its moments but fails to leave a lasting impression. With a platform rating of 6.3/10, it currently stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our database.

What Works in the Movie

While The Discovery does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Drama films.

  • Interesting concept or premise
  • Some entertaining scenes
  • Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, The Discovery has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: The Discovery

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, The Discovery is a Drama, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Mystery film directed by Charlie McDowell. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jason Segel.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. In the near future, due to a breakthrough scientific discovery by Dr. Thomas Harbor, there is now definitive proof of an afterlife. While countless people have chosen suicide to reset their existence, others try to decide what it all means. Among them is Dr. Harbor's son Will, who has arrived at his father's isolated compound with a mysterious young woman named Isla. There, they discover the strange acolytes who help Dr. Harbor with his experiments. The screenplay takes time to develop Jason Segel's journey, 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: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Jason Segel's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.

Ending Explained: The Discovery

The Discovery Ending Explained: Directed by Charlie McDowell, The Discovery wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.

The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Jason Segel. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
  • Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of The Discovery reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch The Discovery?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Jason Segel or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Discovery

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $5.0M
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT

The Discovery Budget

The estimated production budget for The Discovery is $5.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

Advertisement

Top Cast: The Discovery

All Cast & Crew →
Advertisement

Where to Watch The Discovery Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

NetflixNetflix

The Discovery Parents Guide & Age Rating

2017 Advisory
Not Rated

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Discovery age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Discovery has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Drama, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Mystery), it contains mature themes, violence, romantic content.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Discovery is 102 minutes (1h 42m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Discovery is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Discovery. Rating: 6.3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Discovery worth watching?

The Discovery is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Discovery parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Discovery identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Discovery?

The total duration of The Discovery is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Discovery

How The Discovery Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Discovery

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.3
The Discovery
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-discovery-376134" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.3</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Discovery</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Jason Segel

View full filmography