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Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road

How do you break free without breaking apart?

2008119 minRMidcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
Director
Sam Mendes
Starring
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Kathy Bates, Michael Shannon

A young couple living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s struggle to come to terms with their personal problems while trying to raise their two children. Based on a novel by Richard Yates.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Revolutionary Road?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Revolutionary Road streaming on Pluto TV (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Revolutionary Road?

Revolutionary Road earns 7 badges, led by Standout acting and Award-winning performance.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Revolutionary Road worth watching?

Revolutionary Road's Midcredits score is the 87th percentile of all films, from 465K ratings across 6 sources. 77% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

87th percentile

Better received than 87% of films

89th percentile among Drama86th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)84th
Approval (how many liked it)87th

72 /100

84th percentile of all films

87th percentile among Drama84th percentile among 2000s

Critics 69 · Audience 72

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.3 — solid but not unanimous.

77% liked it

87th percentile of all films

89th percentile among Drama86th percentile among 2000s
77% rated it 7–1023% rated it 1–6

Critics 67% · Audience 71%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 3 Oscar noms · 18 wins / 72 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Art Direction
  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Achievement in Costume Design

98th percentile

465K ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Drama97th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 32% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$35M
Opening weekend$190K
Domestic gross$23M
Worldwide gross$76M

Returned 2.2× its budget — 96th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a well-acted, beautifully crafted but deeply depressing exploration of a dysfunctional marriage in 1950s suburbia.

Fans praised

  • career-best performances from DiCaprio and Winslet with palpable chemistry
  • raw, emotionally devastating portrait of a failing marriage
  • exceptional supporting work from Michael Shannon as the brutally honest outsider

Detractors panned

  • relentlessly bleak with no redeeming hope or humor
  • shallow, unlikable characters lacking depth or development
  • slow, repetitive pacing and a story that goes nowhere

What stands out

Acting90

DiCaprio and Winslet deliver powerhouse, career-best performances; Shannon steals scenes as the truth-teller

Cinematography85

Roger Deakins' beautiful, evocative period imagery

Atmosphere85

suffocating, authentic 1950s suburban setting

TensionDivisive80

palpable, uncomfortable dread in every argument

Emotional impactDivisive75

devastating for those who relate; cold and unmoving for others

DialogueDivisive65

insightful but often stagey and on-the-nose; intense fighting scenes

CharactersDivisive50

unlikable, narcissistic protagonists; children are absent ciphers

Plot and storyDivisive45

thin, predictable story of a couple quarreling over a Paris dream

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Under-30s vs over-30s 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 7 points apart
  • US vs non-US 8 points apart

Watch experience

What is Revolutionary Road like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Harrowing: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for a hard story that does not look away.

It is intense and leaves you devastated. Skip it when you want an easy night.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Harrowing.

Moods
TenseMelancholicDread
Heaviest: late
Register
Bleak · 8% of filmsBrooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its material straight, treating the marriage collapse and societal pressure with grim sincerity.
The rideThe mood is primarily tense and melancholic, building dread toward the tragic late-act climax.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically from the meeting of Frank and April through their marriage and its tragic end, without nonlinear devices.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Devastated.

The answer rests on this: Devastating · 3% of filmsHaunting · 14% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe film's tragic conclusion and the weight of wasted dreams leave a lasting, heavy sorrow.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3% (this title)
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Crushed by fate: Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.

9% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story traces a couple's disintegration as their dreams clash with suburban conformity, ending in tragedy; the archetype fits loosely as a tragedy of crushing fate.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfAmbitionSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% (this title) · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Ambition · 7% of filmsIdentity · 14% of filmsMarriage · 2% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores how stifled ambition and the search for a meaningful identity unravel a marriage and a life.
StanceThe film mourns the death of youthful ambition within a constraining marriage and suburban life.

The world

Mid 20th centurySuburbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score
SettingConnecticut suburb in the 1950s

Content guide

Is Revolutionary Road okay for kids?

R

Revolutionary Road is rated R: “Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (45/100), sexual content at moderate (59/100), language at intense (68/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (57/100) and frightening material at moderate (58/100). Overall it is heavier than 40% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 19 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14A
  • Germany12
  • FranceU
  • Ireland16
  • South Korea19
  • Brazil16
  • Czechia15+
  • Denmark11
  • Hungary18
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/16
  • ROAP
  • SK15
  • Spain16
  • Sweden7
  • Switzerland16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 64% of all filmsHeavier than 40% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Moderate
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 24%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 73%
Profanity
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 52%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 72%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 41%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is language. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Revolutionary Road have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Revolutionary Road?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor; Kate Winslet won the Globe for this film.

Leonardo DiCaprio
as Frank Wheeler
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - DramaTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kate Winslet
as April Wheeler
Globe win: Golden Globe — Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - DramaTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Kathy Bates
as Mrs. Givings
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Michael Shannon
as John Givings
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Kathryn Hahn
as Milly Campbell
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
David Harbour
as Shep Campbell
newcomer then · star now
Dylan Baker
as Jack Ordway
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Richard Easton
as Mr. Givings
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Zoe Kazan
as Maureen Grube
newcomer then · star now
Jay O. Sanders
as Bart Pollock
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Revolutionary Road?

Movies like Revolutionary Road include The Clearing (2004), Far from Heaven (2002) and Little Children (2006). Of the 12 closest matches, most are stories about husbands and wives, and several are stories of infidelity.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Revolutionary Road?

5.2K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: marriage in crisis. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.