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Drama

Causeway (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Causeway (2022) movie poster

Causeway is a 2022 drama directed by Lila Neugebauer, starring Jennifer Lawrence as Lynsey, Jayne Houdyshell and Linda Emond. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes
85%
award nominations
4
Echo Score
73
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Causeway (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Lila Neugebauer
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Causeway About?

The premise of Causeway without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Following a tour of duty, a soldier struggles to readjust to civilian life in 1950s New York City. Haunted by her experiences and grappling with inner turmoil, she finds an unexpected connection with a local car mechanic. As she attempts to find her place in a changed world, she must confront painful memories and the challenges of rebuilding her life.

Causeway Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • brain injury
  • black man white woman relationship
  • female nudity
  • psychological drama
  • injury
  • trauma
  • suffering
  • u.s. soldier
  • home
  • struggle
  • afghanistan
  • engineer
+38 more
  • physiotherapy
  • neuropsychology
  • neuropsychologist
  • physiotherapist
  • r rated
  • mental health
  • adidas clothing
  • adidas shorts
  • reference to michael phelps
  • amputee
  • cleaning a swimming pool
  • pool cleaner
  • prison
  • prison visit
  • american sign language
  • swimming
  • platonic relationship
  • car trouble
  • mother daughter relationship
  • brother sister relationship
  • smoking
  • veteran
  • smoking cigarette
  • afghanistan veteran
  • war veteran
  • swearing
  • profanity
  • foul language
  • profanities
  • kiss
  • female protagonist
  • female director
  • lesbian
  • lesbian protagonist
  • male female relationship
  • lesbian female straight male friendship
  • walking at night
  • pool
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Cast & crew

Causeway Cast & Characters

Jennifer Lawrence leads the cast as Lynsey, with Jayne Houdyshell as Sharon and Linda Emond as Gloria. Directed by Lila Neugebauer; 14 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Lila Neugebauer

One more film directed by Lila Neugebauer: The Wolves.

Full filmography
Ratings

Causeway Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Causeway 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

73 /100

Causeway Echo Score Breakdown

Causeway delivers a restrained drama anchored by nuanced performances and a minimalist visual approach. Critics and viewers alike commend Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry for their subtle chemistry, while the film's quiet pacing and subdued production design create an intimate atmosphere. However, several reviews note a thin narrative structure and occasional pacing issues that limit narrative momentum. The overall impression is that the film succeeds in mood and acting, yet its sparseness hampers broader impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from an understated visual style and measured direction. Critics highlight the calm color palette and the understated yet powerful presentation of New Orleans, and users appreciate the minimalist cinematography that supports the narrative tone. Some reviewers criticize a flat, uninspired backdrop and occasional pacing dullness, but the consensus leans toward a solid, if restrained, aesthetic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the central performances are consistently praised. Lawrence’s nuanced portrayal and Henry’s layered turn receive strong commendation across both critic and user commentary. Even reviewers who find fault with other elements acknowledge the depth and authenticity of the acting. A few critiques mention a lack of character development for secondary roles, yet the dominant sentiment underscores exceptional lead work.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The story and flow receive mixed feedback, reflecting both engagement and structural weakness. Positive notes point to an emotionally resonant premise and moments of catharsis, while several critics describe the plot as slight, underwritten, and at times languid. Users echo this split, citing a simple, touching narrative but also noting dull pacing and a thin script. Overall, the narrative is viewed as adequate but not fully realized.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Sensory experience is marked by a restrained soundtrack and cohesive visual tone. Reviewers appreciate the quiet atmosphere, subdued color scheme, and clean sound design that align with the film's mood. Some criticism arises from descriptions of a flat depiction of New Orleans and occasional lack of auditory richness. Nevertheless, most comments suggest the sensory elements successfully support the film's understated approach.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    Rewatch factor is moderate, with the film offering a contemplative viewing that rewards attentive audiences. Critics note its quiet moments and strong performances as reasons for repeat interest, while others point to the thin plot and limited dramatic peaks as deterrents. User comments similarly range from describing it as a simple, pleasant watch to expressing that its subtlety may not sustain frequent revisits. The overall sense is modest replay value.

Plot

Causeway Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Causeway from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Lynsey, Jennifer Lawrence, a soldier in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during the Afghanistan War, is recovering from a traumatic brain injury. She undergoes physical therapy with a kindly professional caretaker, Jayne Houdyshell, and gradually regains her motor skills. Unable to afford further treatment, she is forced to return home to New Orleans.

Staying in her childhood home with her unreliable mother Gloria, Linda Emond Lynsey finds a job cleaning pools. When the truck once belonging to her brother breaks down, she finds help from Brian Tyree Henry, an auto mechanic. Struggling to adjust to daily life and her new medications, she explains to her doctor that she was injured by an IED in Afghanistan, but is determined to return to duty.

Full summary

The whole story of Causeway, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Awards

Causeway Awards & Nominations

Causeway was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 4 nominations come from 4 ceremonies.

4 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

Causeway Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 2 trailers and 7 featurettes.

All 9 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Featurette CAUSEWAY Q&A with Jennifer Lawrence and Brian Tyree Henry | TIFF 2022
  • Featurette Jennifer Lawrence brings Causeway, to the BFI London Film Festival 2022
  • Featurette Jennifer Lawrence introduces Causeway, at the BFI London Film Festival
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Causeway?

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

Which actress portrays the lead character, Lynsey?

Cars

Cars in Causeway

17 cars on screen, including the 1981 Chevrolet C-10 and the Mercedes-Benz 240 D W123.

All 17 cars
  • 1981 Chevrolet C-10 in Causeway 1981 Chevrolet C-10 Main role
  • Mercedes-Benz 240 D W123 in Causeway Mercedes-Benz 240 D W123 Main role
  • 2006 Ford Ranger in Causeway 2006 Ford Ranger Important role
  • 2006 Toyota Sienna in Causeway 2006 Toyota Sienna Important role
Details

Causeway Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Red” and “White and Water”.

Also known as
  • Red
  • White and Water
  • 코즈웨이
  • Мост через озеро
  • 攜步渡水橋
  • Дамба
  • Resurgir
  • Міст
  • '더 브릿지' - Causeway
  • Passagem
  • 桥之彼端
  • Mosty
+10 more
  • 橋之彼端
  • קוזוויי
  • Most
  • その道の向こうに
  • A kiút
  • Cây Cầu - Causeway
  • Да започнеш отначало
  • Το Πέρασμα
  • Tiltas
  • جسر

Seen Causeway?

FAQ

Causeway FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Causeway, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Causeway?

Causeway runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was Causeway released?

Causeway was released on October 28, 2022.

Who directed Causeway?

Causeway was directed by Lila Neugebauer.

More films by Lila Neugebauer

Who is in the cast of Causeway?

Causeway stars Jennifer Lawrence as Lynsey, Jayne Houdyshell as Sharon and Linda Emond as Gloria, among 14 credited actors.

How is Causeway rated?

Causeway has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 66 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.

Was Causeway nominated for any awards?

Causeway received 4 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does Causeway have a post-credit scene?

No. Causeway has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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