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Comedy

Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019) movie poster

Between Two Ferns: The Movie is a 2019 comedy directed by Scott Aukerman, starring Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell and Matthew McConaughey. It runs 1 hour 22 minutes. Critics gave it 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10.

IMDb rating
6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
73%
Echo Score
57
Metascore
59
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Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 22m (82 min)
Director
Scott Aukerman
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Between Two Ferns: The Movie About?

The premise of Between Two Ferns: The Movie without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Zach Galifianakis takes his unconventional interview show on the road in this comedy. Determined to rehabilitate his reputation and earn the respect of the celebrities he’s previously mocked, he embarks on a cross-country trip. Along the way, he faces uncomfortable situations, humorous mishaps, and surprisingly touching moments as he tries to prove he’s more than just an awkward interviewer.

Between Two Ferns: The Movie Themes & Keywords

· 9 tags
  • celebrity guest
  • road trip
  • interview
  • celebrity
  • comedian
  • alternative comedy
  • road trip comedy
  • cringe comedy
  • road trip adventure
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Cast & crew

Between Two Ferns: The Movie Cast & Characters

Zach Galifianakis leads the cast, with Will Ferrell as Will Ferrell and Matthew McConaughey as Matthew McConaughey. Directed by Scott Aukerman; 28 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Between Two Ferns: The Movie Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Between Two Ferns: The Movie 73% on Rotten Tomatoes and 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 57/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (30).

57 /100

Between Two Ferns: The Movie Echo Score Breakdown

Between Two Ferns: The Movie showcases a distinctive comedic sensibility anchored by Zach Galifianakis’s provocative interviews, but its narrative framework feels secondary. Reviews note that the feature-length format stretches brief sketches into a padded storyline that lacks coherence and depth. While the humor retains its sharp tone and generates genuine laughs, the superfluous plot segments dilute its impact. Overall, the film registers as an uneven but intermittently entertaining expansion of the original web series.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and production design offer a straightforward backdrop that neither elevates nor detracts significantly from the central comedy. Editing occasionally feels stretched as brief segments are padded to feature length, and cinematography remains serviceable but unremarkable. The visual cohesion is consistent with the show’s aesthetic but lacks cinematic ambition. Overall, the craft supports comedy without making a strong visual statement.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, Galifianakis’s persona remains the driving force, delivering provocative barbs with measured timing. Supporting performers offer spirited chemistry, contributing offbeat humor that aligns with the interviews. However, deeper emotional arcs and character growth are minimal, leaving most personalities at a sketch-like surface. Taken together, the performances generate genuine laughs but offer limited depth beyond comedic interactions.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative framework is largely superfluous, functioning as a thin wrapper for the interview segments. Reviews highlight frequent pacing issues, with padded subplots that disrupt engagement and reduce coherence. Originality is limited by predictable developments, and the overarching arc lacks meaningful stakes. Consequently, the plot feels uneven and detracts from the core comedic momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film delivers straightforward audio and visual elements that support rather than enhance the comedy. The soundtrack is minimal and unobtrusive, while sound design ensures clarity of dialogue in interview setups. Visual style adheres to the series’ low-key aesthetic, offering consistent composition but limited cinematic flair. Overall, the sensory presentation is serviceable and largely unremarkable.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    The rewatch factor is buoyed by the comedic interviews and end-credits blooper reel, which offer repeatable highlights. Viewers appreciate the frequent guest appearances and sharp barbs that invite revisiting those segments. However, the lack of narrative depth and reliance on the wrapper story diminish incentive for multiple full viewings. As a result, rewatch appeal is strong for select portions but modest for the complete film.

Plot

Between Two Ferns: The Movie Plot Summary

What happens in Between Two Ferns: The Movie from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Zach Galifianakis takes center stage as the eccentric host of his public access television show, Between Two Ferns. The whimsical journey begins when the comedic powerhouse, Will Ferrell, stumbles upon the show and gives it a boost by uploading it to Funny or Die. This unexpected exposure catapults Zach into the limelight, transforming him into a viral sensation, much to the delight of audiences who tune in daily, enchanted by his unique, albeit misguided, interviewing style.

Full summary

The whole story of Between Two Ferns: The Movie, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Between Two Ferns: The Movie Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Between Two Ferns: The Movie.

Between Two Ferns: The Movie | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Between Two Ferns: The Movie?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the main premise of Zach Galifianakis' show?

Cars

Cars in Between Two Ferns: The Movie

20 cars on screen, including the 2006 Volkswagen Passat Wagon B6 Typ 3C and the 2013 Fiat 500e.

All 20 cars
  • 2006 Volkswagen Passat Wagon B6 Typ 3C in Between Two Ferns: The Movie 2006 Volkswagen Passat Wagon B6 Typ 3C Main role
  • 2013 Fiat 500e in Between Two Ferns: The Movie 2013 Fiat 500e Important role
  • 2004 Hummer H2 Stretched Limousine in Between Two Ferns: The Movie 2004 Hummer H2 Stretched Limousine Minor role
  • 2014 Toyota Highlander in Between Two Ferns: The Movie 2014 Toyota Highlander Minor role
Details

Between Two Ferns: The Movie Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Between Two Ferns - The Movie” and “Between Two Ferns - O Filme”.

Also known as
  • Between Two Ferns - The Movie
  • Between Two Ferns - O Filme
  • Между двумя папоротниками: Фильм
  • Entre deux fougères : Le Film
  • Between Two Ferns: Η Ταινία
  • 비트윈 투 펀스 - 투어 스페셜
  • Between Two Ferns: Il film
  • בין שני שרכים: הסרט
  • 雙蕨之間
  • Between Two Ferns: O Filme
  • Entre Dos Helechos: La película
  • 蕨间访谈:电影版
+7 more
  • Zwischen zwei Farnen: Der Film
  • Két páfrány között: A film
  • V kapradí: Film
  • Entre deux fougères: Le film
  • Tarp dviejų paparčių: Filmas
  • Між двома папоротями: Фільм
  • 兩棵樹,兩把口

Seen Between Two Ferns: The Movie?

FAQ

Between Two Ferns: The Movie FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Between Two Ferns: The Movie, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Between Two Ferns: The Movie?

Between Two Ferns: The Movie runs 1 hour 22 minutes (82 minutes).

When was Between Two Ferns: The Movie released?

Between Two Ferns: The Movie was released on September 20, 2019.

Who directed Between Two Ferns: The Movie?

Between Two Ferns: The Movie was directed by Scott Aukerman.

More films by Scott Aukerman

Who is in the cast of Between Two Ferns: The Movie?

Between Two Ferns: The Movie stars Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell as Will Ferrell and Matthew McConaughey as Matthew McConaughey, among 28 credited actors.

How is Between Two Ferns: The Movie rated?

Between Two Ferns: The Movie has 6.1/10 on IMDb, 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Between Two Ferns: The Movie have a post-credit scene?

No. Between Two Ferns: The Movie has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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