The Stand In
Performance & Direction: The Stand In Review
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Stand In (2020) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Stand In features a noteworthy lineup led by Drew Barrymore . Supported by the likes of Michael Zegen and T.J. Miller , 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 The Stand In (2020) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.3/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Stand In
Quick Plot Summary: The Stand In is a Comedy film that brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. When ordered to serve a year in rehab, actress Candy hires her on-set stand-in to take her place. The unassuming woman flips the script and steals her identity, career and boyfriend in this hilarious comedy about trading places. The film finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks and running gags that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: The Stand In
Ending Breakdown: The Stand In attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, 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 comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Stand In reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Stand In?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Stand In
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Where to Watch The Stand In Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
NetflixThe Stand In Parents Guide & Age Rating
2020 AdvisoryWondering about The Stand In age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Stand In is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Stand In is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2020 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Stand In worth watching?
The Stand In is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.3/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Stand In parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Stand In identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Stand In?
The total duration of The Stand In is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Stand In
Decent watch at best, probably won't watch again, and can't recommend. This is an interesting twist on the substitution trope, but it uses two awful people on both sides. It really feels like a movie made for actors and it is supposed to shine a light on the perception of a person and the reality of a person. Even starting with a down on her luck, kind, nobody shows how she can grow into a monster just like any other person with a taste of power. Maybe it just changes who the victim is. Once that becomes apparent, it's just sort of "How far are they going to push it?".
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.








