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Documentary

Fair Play (2022): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Fair Play (2022) movie poster

Fair Play is a 2022 documentary directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, starring Melinda Gates and Katie Porter. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
86%
Echo Score
58
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Fair Play (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Fair Play About?

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

In the high-stakes world of finance, a young couple's relationship is tested when one lands a coveted promotion, leaving the other behind. As ambition and power struggles intensify, their love transforms into a toxic and volatile dynamic. The film explores the corrosive effects of unchecked drive and the manipulation of gender in a cutthroat environment, revealing the devastating consequences for a once-loving partnership.

Fair Play Themes & Keywords

· 2 tags
  • journey
  • family relationships
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Cast & crew

Fair Play Cast

Melinda Gates leads the cast, with Katie Porter. Directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

From the director

More from Jennifer Siebel Newsom

One more film directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom: The Great American Lie.

Full filmography
Ratings

Fair Play Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Fair Play 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

58 /100

Fair Play Echo Score Breakdown

Fair Play delivers a tense psychological thriller set in a high‑stakes financial world, but its impact is divided. Critics commend the film’s slick direction and strong performances, while noting moments of trite stylings and an over‑determined narrative. Viewers echo this split, praising edge‑of‑seat tension yet criticizing a chaotic plot and an unsatisfying conclusion. The combined effect yields a mixed reception that lands the film in the mid‑range of quality.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from a polished visual style and purposeful direction. Critics highlight the slick cinematography, effective sound design, and occasional trite graphics, while some note an over‑stylized approach that distracts. The editing maintains tension, supporting the thriller’s pacing. Overall, the craftsmanship is competent and often elevated, earning a solid appraisal.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    Character and emotion receive mixed feedback. Performances are praised for their intensity, with several reviewers noting strong, nuanced portrayals that drive the conflict. Conversely, the protagonists are described as unlikable and lacking depth, leading to limited audience empathy. While the acting anchors the film, the character development falls short of creating lasting resonance.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow are the film’s most contentious element. The plot is praised for its high‑stakes premise and occasional gripping twists, yet many critics and viewers find it over‑determined, uneven, and at times implausible. Pacing issues and a conclusion deemed unrealistic further weaken narrative cohesion, resulting in an overall uneven storytelling experience.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    The sensory experience benefits from effective sound design and a distinctive musical palette that underscores tension. Visual elements such as sleek production design and stylized graphics contribute to the film’s atmospheric tone, though some viewers view the aesthetic as occasionally gimmicky. Overall, the auditory and visual components reinforce the thriller’s mood without overwhelming the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor is limited by a divisive narrative and polarized character reception. While the film offers moments of edge‑of‑seat tension that some viewers find compelling on repeat viewings, the unsettling content, uneven pacing, and unsatisfying ending deter many from returning. Consequently, the appeal for subsequent watches remains modest.

Plot

Fair Play Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Fair Play from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the high-stakes world of One Crest Capital, a confidential romance unfolds between two analysts, Emily Meyers and Luke Edmunds, hidden from the watchful eyes of their colleagues as they navigate deals, deadlines, and the brutal logic of finance. After a tense moment at his brother’s wedding, Luke proposes, and Emily, moved by a mix of affection and ambition, says yes. The very next day, a portfolio manager is fired, and Emily overhears hints that Luke is among those considered as a replacement. The pair celebrate in the glow of their private victory, their bond strengthening even as the office hums with rumors.

Full summary

The whole story of Fair Play, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Fair Play Trailers & Videos

16 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip, 10 featurettes and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 16 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer #2
  • Clip Emily and Luke’s Argument
  • Featurette Meet the Artist: Chloe Domont on “Fair Play”
  • Featurette FAIR PLAY at TIFF 2023 | Q&A with Chloe Domont
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Fair Play?

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 the hedge fund where Emily and Luke work?

Details

Fair Play Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Juego Limpio” and “بازی جوانمردانه”.

Also known as
  • Juego Limpio
  • بازی جوانمردانه
  • Franc-jeu
  • 公平竞争
  • Честная игра
  • 페어플레이
  • Чиста гра
  • Jogo Justo
  • 絕對公平
  • משחק הוגן
  • Fair Play/フェアプレー
  • 绝对公平
+8 more
  • Fér hra
  • Ferplej
  • Все средства хороши
  • اللعب النظيف
  • Fairplay
  • Sąžiningas žaidimas
  • Mindent szabad
  • Trò Chơi Sòng Phẳng

Seen Fair Play?

FAQ

Fair Play FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

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

How long is Fair Play?

Fair Play runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Fair Play released?

Fair Play was released on July 8, 2022.

Who directed Fair Play?

Fair Play was directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

More films by Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Who is in the cast of Fair Play?

Fair Play stars Melinda Gates and Katie Porter.

How is Fair Play rated?

Fair Play has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63% on TMDB and 3.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Fair Play have a post-credit scene?

No. Fair Play has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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