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Comedy drama

Dean (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Dean (2017) movie poster

Dean is a 2017 comedy drama starring Asif Ali, Kate Berlant and H. Jon Benjamin. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $254,536 worldwide. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Stream it on fuboTV and Paramount Plus, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
worldwide gross
$254.5K
Echo Score
65
Dean (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dean About?

The premise of Dean without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following the loss of his mother, illustrator Dean leaves New York for a job in Los Angeles. His father, Robert, copes with grief in a more conventional way, and their differing approaches lead to a journey of self-discovery for both men. Along the way, unexpected events and romantic possibilities arise, prompting them to re-evaluate their paths toward healing and new beginnings.

Dean Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • one word title
  • sketch
  • house party
  • wedding speech
  • illustrator
  • pet cat
  • kiss
  • kiss on the lips
  • ex fiance ex fiancee relationship
  • text messaging on screen
  • mature romance
  • text message
+38 more
  • father son hug
  • character name as title
  • forename as title
  • coming of age drama
  • artist as protagonist
  • actor director writer
  • rom com
  • grieving man
  • luddite
  • comedy drama
  • selling childhood house
  • riding a bicycle
  • grieving parent
  • feature film directorial debut
  • misogynist remark
  • cartoon drawing
  • grieving widower
  • female real estate agent
  • mourning a loved one
  • advertising agency
  • engineer
  • cat lover
  • avoidance
  • new book
  • san francisco california
  • road trip
  • new apartment
  • voiceover letter
  • death of cat
  • love and loss
  • romantic relationship
  • birthday
  • man in love with a married woman
  • comic illustrator
  • courtship
  • dating advice
  • san francisco international airport
  • flashback
Where to watch

Where to Watch Dean

Stream it on fuboTV and Paramount Plus, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Dean Cast

Asif Ali leads the cast, with Kate Berlant and H. Jon Benjamin.

Ratings

Dean Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Dean 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 65/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

65 /100

Dean Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s modest charm is offset by a lack of depth and ambition. While many reviewers commend Martin’s warm humor and smooth directorial touch, others point to uneven emotional impact and a diffuse narrative structure. The performances receive praise for their sincerity, yet the story’s repetitive bits and facile treatment of grief limit engagement. In sum, the film offers pleasant moments but falls short of cohesive resonance.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits assured direction and a clean visual approach. Reviewers note Martin’s smooth handling of scenes and tasteful production touches, though some criticize a lack of visual daring and formal ambition. The editing maintains steady pacing but seldom surprises. Overall, the craft is competent but not fully realized.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are sincere and reliably drawn. Critics praise Martin’s portrayal and the solid supporting cast for delivering genuine warmth. However, the emotional stakes often feel muted, and moments of deeper resonance are sporadic. This yields engaging portrayals but stops short of fully immersive character development.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative moves at a measured pace and remains coherent throughout. Observers appreciate the straightforward structure but find the plot lacking in tension and originality. The episodic humor leads to a segmented feel, and the exploration of grief is treated lightly. Consequently, the storyline feels pleasant but ultimately underwhelming.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Regarding the sensory experience, the film offers a restrained visual style with charming hand-drawn doodles and a clear editorial rhythm. The sound design supports the gentle tone, though no standout musical moments emerge. The overall audiovisual palette complements the film’s intimate mood. In effect, the sensory elements are pleasing yet never particularly striking.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s modest humor and sweet moments provide a degree of repeat appeal. Viewers may enjoy revisiting Martin’s central performance and the nuanced interactions, but the limited narrative depth and lack of surprising developments reduce long-term engagement. As a result, the film maintains some replay value but is unlikely to inspire frequent returns.

Plot

Dean Plot Summary

What happens in Dean from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Dean’s Brooklyn life is upended as he tries to pick up the pieces after his mother’s death. He shares a house with his father, Robert, who is struggling to adjust to life on his own. When Dean’s ex-fiancée Michelle returns the engagement ring, he refuses to accept the “un-proposal,” setting the emotional tone for a man trying to navigate loss, responsibility, and a life that feels unsettled.

Full summary

The whole story of Dean, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Dean Box Office

Dean grossed $254,536 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$254.5K

US & Canada
$254.5K
Videos

Dean Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dean.

DEAN - OFFICIAL MOVIE TRAILER - HD (Demetri Martin)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dean?

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 name of Dean's father?

Cars

Cars in Dean

25 cars on screen, including the 1995 BMW 325i Cabrio E36 and the 2009 MINI Cooper Cabrio.

All 25 cars
  • 1995 BMW 325i Cabrio E36 in Dean 1995 BMW 325i Cabrio E36 Important role
  • 2009 MINI Cooper Cabrio in Dean 2009 MINI Cooper Cabrio Important role
  • 1999 SAAB 9-5 SportWagon in Dean 1999 SAAB 9-5 SportWagon Important role
  • 1986 Volvo 240 in Dean 1986 Volvo 240 Important role
Details

Dean Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “딘” and “Дийн”.

Also known as
  • 딘
  • Дийн
  • Dean: A Vida e Outras Piadas
  • Дин: Моя жизнь в картинках
  • 인생
  • 어쩌면 농담
  • Dean - Wie das Leben eben spielt
  • 迪恩
  • דין

Seen Dean?

FAQ

Dean FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Dean, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dean?

Dean runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Dean released?

Dean was released on June 2, 2017.

Who is in the cast of Dean?

Dean stars Asif Ali, Kate Berlant and H. Jon Benjamin, among 7 credited actors.

Where can I watch Dean?

In the US, Dean is streaming on fuboTV, Paramount Plus and Paramount+ and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Dean make at the box office?

Dean grossed $254,536 worldwide.

How is Dean rated?

Dean has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.

Does Dean have a post-credit scene?

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

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