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Biographical documentary

Flannery (2020): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

Flannery (2020) movie poster

Flannery is a 2020 biographical documentary directed by Elizabeth Coffman and Mark Bosco, starring Mary Steenburgen as Flannery, Flannery O'Connor and Tommy Lee Jones. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and was made on a reported $750,000 budget. Critics gave it 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Stream it on Hoopla and Kanopy, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
74%
Echo Score
63
Metascore
50
Flannery (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Original language
English
Budget
$750K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Flannery About?

The premise of Flannery without spoilers.

This documentary explores the life and work of Flannery O'Connor, a celebrated Southern writer known for her provocative stories of faith, redemption, and dark humor. The film examines her personal struggles with chronic illness and her deep devotion to Catholicism, revealing how these experiences shaped her unique and groundbreaking literary voice, which captivated audiences across America.

Flannery Themes & Keywords

· 4 tags
  • literature
  • author
  • culture
  • female artist
Where to watch

Where to Watch Flannery

Stream it on Hoopla and Kanopy, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Flannery Cast & Characters

Mary Steenburgen leads the cast as Flannery, with Flannery O'Connor and Tommy Lee Jones. Directed by Elizabeth Coffman and Mark Bosco; 11 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Flannery Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Flannery 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

63 /100

Flannery Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Flannery provides a measured yet uneven exploration of its subject. The film gathers a variety of expert voices and archival materials to build a comprehensive portrait, but hesitates to engage deeper thematic layers, particularly regarding race and literary influence. Pacing alternates between informative sequences and periods of surface-level commentary, resulting in a somewhat episodic flow. While the documentary succeeds in assembling key biographical facts and personal remembrances, it stops short of delivering a fully nuanced analysis of its central figure.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary delivers competent but conventional presentation. Editing stitches together archival footage, talking heads, and photographs in a straightforward manner, yet lacks inventive transitions or distinctive visual flair. The production design and cinematography serve the material clearly without drawing attention to themselves. Overall, the craft supports the narrative reliably but does not elevate it artistically.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    In terms of character and emotion, Flannery assembles a diverse roster of voices that convey warmth and insight. Contributions from friends and scholars create moments of genuine connection, yet the film rarely probes the emotional complexity of its subject. Performances and testimonies feel respectful but often remain on the surface of her personal interior life. Ultimately, character portrayal offers engaging recollections without fully immersing viewers in O’Connor’s inner world.

  • Story & Flow 55

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative maintains a clear chronological structure but exhibits uneven pacing. Informative segments alternate with superficial commentary, and the film occasionally retreats from deeper thematic analysis. Discussion of race and literary influence appears, yet these threads are not woven consistently throughout. In the end, the storyline provides a coherent overview but falls short of delivering a thoroughly engaging or original documentary arc.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    In terms of sensory experience, the film relies primarily on archival photographs, interviews, and a restrained soundtrack. The sound design is clear but unremarkable, and visual sequences lack a cohesive stylistic signature. While the archival materials offer authenticity, they do not come together in a vividly immersive manner. Overall, sensory elements function adequately to support the narrative without creating a distinctive audiovisual atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When considering rewatch factor, the documentary serves as a useful reference for those interested in its subject but offers limited incentive for repeated viewings. Informational value remains consistent, yet the lack of deeper interpretive angles may diminish lasting appeal. Occasional moments of expert commentary might reward a return audience, but the overall surface-level approach curtails broader repeat interest. The film is more suited to introductory viewing than to multiple engagements.

Seen Flannery?

FAQ

Flannery FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Flannery, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Flannery?

Flannery runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Flannery released?

Flannery was released on July 17, 2020.

Who directed Flannery?

Flannery was directed by Elizabeth Coffman and Mark Bosco.

More films by Elizabeth Coffman

Who is in the cast of Flannery?

Flannery stars Mary Steenburgen as Flannery, Flannery O'Connor and Tommy Lee Jones, among 11 credited actors.

Where can I watch Flannery?

In the US, Flannery is streaming on Hoopla, Kanopy and PBS Documentaries and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of Flannery?

Flannery had a reported budget of $750,000.

How is Flannery rated?

Flannery has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 74% on Rotten Tomatoes and 50 on Metacritic.

Does Flannery have a post-credit scene?

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

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