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Sci-fi thriller

Happily (2021): Cast, Ratings & Where to Watch

Happily (2021) movie poster

Happily is a 2021 sci-fi thriller directed by BenDavid Grabinski, starring Stephen Root as Goodman, Paul Scheer and Brea Grant. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Rent or buy it on Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies.

IMDb rating
5.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
71%
Echo Score
70
Metascore
58
Happily (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Happily About?

The premise of Happily without spoilers.

A seemingly perfect couple finds their happiness threatened by the envy and hostility of those around them. The arrival of a mysterious visitor and a disturbing discovery shatter their blissful marriage, leading them to uncover a web of sinister intentions among their friends. As they delve deeper, they must confront the unsettling truth behind their relationships and the price of their own contentment.

Happily Themes & Keywords

· 24 tags
  • visit
  • couple
  • hairy armpit
  • male protagonist
  • bare chested male
  • sex scene
  • hairy chested male
  • female protagonist
  • hairy chest
  • male and female protagonists
  • friend
  • lesbian
+12 more
  • interracial relationship
  • lesbian couple
  • interracial lesbian relationship
  • gay straight relations
  • husband wife relationship
  • interracial couple
  • sex in a bathroom
  • sex in a shower
  • bearded man
  • wife wife relationship
  • woman drives a car
  • sex in a car
Where to watch

Where to Watch Happily

Rent or buy it from Fandango At Home and Google Play Movies. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Happily Cast & Characters

Stephen Root leads the cast as Goodman, with Paul Scheer as Val and Brea Grant as Cashier. Directed by BenDavid Grabinski; 14 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Happily Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Happily 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

70 /100

Happily Echo Score Breakdown

Happily demonstrates an inventive blend of comedy, thriller, and domestic drama that engages through tonal shifts but falters in narrative coherence. Critics praised its daring subversion of expectations and tonal mastery, though several point to an uneven third act and ambiguous resolution. Viewers frequently commented on intriguing character dynamics but were divided over pacing and plot clarity. The result is a film that intrigues with its originality yet may frustrate audience seeking clear narrative closure.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its measured tonal direction and deliberate stylistic choices. Observers note a steady hand in blending comedy, thriller, and domestic drama into a cohesive visual rhythm. Though the third act’s tonal shift introduces uneven pacing, the production design and editing maintain an overall polished execution. This creates a distinctive aesthetic identity.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, Happily delivers nuanced interpersonal dynamics and convincing performances. The central relationship is infused with palpable tension, while supporting roles contribute layered subtexts about friendship and loyalty. Despite occasional lapses in emotional payoff during the closing sequences, the ensemble maintains a credible emotional resonance that drives engagement throughout. The characters leave a lasting empathic impression.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding story and flow, the film presents an original premise that challenges genre conventions and invites thoughtful reflection. Several plot beats subvert expectations effectively, but the momentum weakens in the final act, resulting in pacing issues and ambiguous resolution. Viewers comment on unclear narrative direction in places. Overall, the conceptual strength is diluted by uneven structural execution.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of sensory experience, Happily employs a restrained color palette and precise sound design to underscore its tonal shifts. The visual style balances bright domestic settings with darker thriller interludes, while the soundtrack subtly underscores tension. Although some transitions feel abrupt, the film maintains a consistent sensory cohesion that supports its thematic contrasts.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When considering rewatch factor, the film poses intriguing thematic layers that reward repeat viewings. Its blend of tonal elements and hidden narrative clues encourages further analysis, yet the uneven pacing and opaque ending may deter audiences from returning. While certain sequences gain depth on subsequent viewings, the overall replay appeal is tempered by its structural inconsistencies.

Videos

Happily Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Happily.

Happily Official Trailer (2021)
Details

Happily Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “愉快” and “Счастливо”.

Also known as
  • 愉快
  • Счастливо
  • На щастя
  • A Felicidade é de Matar
  • 해필리:에버 애프터
  • Tanta felicidad me mata
  • לנצח
  • Happily - Glück in der Ehe
  • Pech beim Mord
  • I szczęśliwie
  • И заживели щастливо
  • Sretno
+4 more
  • Fericiți
  • 劊樂假期
  • Malheureux bonheur
  • Srečno

Seen Happily?

FAQ

Happily FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

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

How long is Happily?

Happily runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Happily released?

Happily was released on March 19, 2021.

Who directed Happily?

Happily was directed by BenDavid Grabinski.

More films by BenDavid Grabinski

Who is in the cast of Happily?

Happily stars Stephen Root as Goodman, Paul Scheer as Val and Brea Grant as Cashier, among 14 credited actors.

Where can I watch Happily?

In the US, Happily is available to rent or buy on Fandango At Home, Google Play Movies and Plex (availability from JustWatch).

How is Happily rated?

Happily has 5.3/10 on IMDb, 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Happily have a post-credit scene?

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

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