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Documentary

Foster (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Foster (2019) movie poster

Foster is a 2019 documentary directed by Mark Jonathan Harris, starring Jessica Chandler, Ben Colella and Earcylene Beavers. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $19,873 worldwide on a $2 million budget. IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
worldwide gross
$19.9K
Echo Score
80
budget
$2M
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Foster (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Budget
$2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Foster About?

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

This poignant documentary offers an intimate look inside Los Angeles County's foster care system. Filmmakers Deborah Oppenheimer and Mark Jonathan Harris were granted unprecedented access to the DCFS, revealing the complexities and challenges faced by children and caregivers. The film aims to clarify misconceptions surrounding foster care and highlight the experiences of those directly involved in this often-misunderstood system.

Foster Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • toy factory
  • christmas
  • adoption
  • based on short film
  • little girl
  • playing a piano
  • grief
  • strong female character
  • strong female lead
  • foster home
  • belief
  • reading aloud from a book
+38 more
  • woman reads a book
  • bookstore
  • bookstore owner
  • female bookstore owner
  • boy
  • young boy
  • little boy
  • boy wears eyeglasses
  • suitcase
  • boy wears a suit and tie
  • sleeping child
  • ship in a bottle
  • husband wife relationship
  • taking a nap
  • singing along to a song
  • listening to a radio
  • lying in bed
  • brushing teeth
  • sadness
  • sleeping on the floor
  • cooking breakfast
  • banker
  • employee
  • mother daughter relationship
  • hugging
  • argument
  • first day of school
  • eating a banana
  • taxi
  • boy wears a suit
  • man plays the piano
  • telephone call
  • watching tv
  • black tights
  • female stockinged soles
  • female stockinged legs
  • female stockinged feet
  • awakening
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Cast & crew

Foster Cast

Jessica Chandler leads the cast, with Ben Colella and Earcylene Beavers. Directed by Mark Jonathan Harris; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Foster

· 3 more
Ratings

Foster Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Foster 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

80 /100

Foster Echo Score Breakdown

Foster presents a compelling and emotionally resonant drama that balances an intimate exploration of the foster system with touching performances. Critics noted its gripping narrative and clear-eyed perspective, while many viewers praised the chemistry between the leads and the remarkable child actor. Some found moments of predictability and uneven production values, but the heart of the story remains engaging. Overall, the film offers a thoughtful, earnest viewing experience that will appeal to sensitive audiences seeking meaningful family drama.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, Foster demonstrates assured direction and intimate framing that underscore its dramatic stakes. The cinematography employs a restrained color palette and measured compositions to heighten emotional impact. Editing choices maintain momentum while allowing reflective pauses. Production design features modest, lived-in settings that reinforce authenticity. These elements cohere to create a visually grounded film that feels both polished and unpretentious.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Foster is anchored by deeply felt performances from its leads and the central child figure. The portrayals convey genuine chemistry and nuanced grief, lending credibility to the family’s struggles. Supporting roles contribute subtle emotional texture, though some accents and occasional tonal shifts prove distracting. Overall, the film achieves strong emotional resonance through authentic character interactions.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, Foster offers an engaging premise that explores the foster care system with clarity and compassion. The narrative unfolds at a measured pace, balancing poignant moments with lighter instances of humor. While some viewers noted predictability in its trajectory and occasional unevenness in subplot development, the central storyline remains coherent and emotionally involving. Ultimately, it sustains interest through its heartfelt exploration of family dynamics.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When considering sensory experience, Foster features a warm, if occasionally overemphatic, musical score that underscores emotional peaks. Sound design is unobtrusive, allowing dialogue to remain clear, though some incidental music becomes overly sentimental. Visually, the film opts for subdued lighting and modest set dressing, creating an intimate atmosphere but lacking standout stylistic flourishes. Together, these elements support the narrative, even if they seldom surprise.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of rewatch value, Foster delivers a heartfelt narrative that rewards repeated viewings with its gentle thematic layers. Viewers highlighting strong performances often report renewed appreciation for the emotional subtleties on subsequent watches. While some may find the film’s pacing too deliberate to revisit frequently, its earnest tone and moments of warmth suggest it holds enduring appeal for audiences drawn to reflective family dramas.

Plot

Foster Plot Summary

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

Spoilers ahead

In Britain, during the challenging Recession that impacted much of the world in the late 2000s, a couple named Zooey and Alec face the heart-wrenching reality of their inability to conceive a child. Contemplating adoption, they seek to expand their family. Zooey, who runs a charming children’s bookstore alongside her mother Diane, supports her husband Alec, who manages the toy company that his late father initiated fifty years prior.

Full summary

The whole story of Foster, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Foster Box Office & Budget

Foster grossed $19,873 worldwide on a $2 million budget.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$19.9K

US & Canada
$19.9K
Budget
$2M
Videos

Foster Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Foster.

FOSTER (2019) | Official Trailer | HBO
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Foster?

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 profession does Zooey have?

Cars

Cars in Foster

20 cars on screen, including the 2015 Chrysler 300 and the 2011 Jeep Patriot.

All 20 cars
  • 2015 Chrysler 300 in Foster 2015 Chrysler 300 Important role
  • 2011 Jeep Patriot in Foster 2011 Jeep Patriot Important role
  • 2013 Ram 1500 in Foster 2013 Ram 1500 Important role
  • 2001 Toyota Prius I in Foster 2001 Toyota Prius I Important role

Seen Foster?

FAQ

Foster FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Foster, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Foster?

Foster runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was Foster released?

Foster was released on May 3, 2019.

Who directed Foster?

Foster was directed by Mark Jonathan Harris.

More films by Mark Jonathan Harris

Who is in the cast of Foster?

Foster stars Jessica Chandler, Ben Colella and Earcylene Beavers, among 7 credited actors.

How much did Foster make at the box office?

Foster grossed $19,873 worldwide on a budget of $2 million.

How is Foster rated?

Foster has 6.8/10 on IMDb and 64% on TMDB.

Does Foster have a post-credit scene?

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

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