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Sports drama

High Flying Bird (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

High Flying Bird (2019) movie poster

High Flying Bird is a 2019 sports drama directed by Steven Soderbergh, starring Kyle MacLachlan as David Seton, Zachary Quinto and Melvin Gregg. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and was made on a reported $2 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2020. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
award nomination
1
Echo Score
71
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High Flying Bird (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Genres
Drama , Sport
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
Budget
$2M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is High Flying Bird About?

The premise of High Flying Bird without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During a pro basketball lockout, agent Ray Burke finds himself embroiled in a tense conflict between the league and its players. Facing a career crisis, he races against the clock to discover a critical loophole that could shift the balance of power. With just 72 hours to act, Ray must use all his skill and cunning to outmaneuver the league and determine who ultimately controls the game.

High Flying Bird Themes & Keywords

· 21 tags
  • basketball sport
  • basketball
  • director also editor
  • lesbian character
  • steam bath
  • shot on phone
  • animal in title
  • nba
  • rookie
  • agency
  • basketball movie
  • loophole
+9 more
  • journalist
  • national basketball association
  • business proposition
  • professional basketball
  • sports agent
  • reporter
  • lockout
  • flight attendant
  • interviewee
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Cast & crew

High Flying Bird Cast & Characters

Kyle MacLachlan leads the cast as David Seton, with Zachary Quinto as David Starr and Melvin Gregg as Erick Scott. Directed by Steven Soderbergh; 19 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Steven Soderbergh

More films directed by Steven Soderbergh, best-rated first: sex, lies, and videotape, Traffic, The Christophers and King of the Hill.

Full filmography
Ratings

High Flying Bird Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave High Flying Bird 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

71 /100

High Flying Bird Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, High Flying Bird offers a thought-provoking exploration of industry and power through rapid-fire dialogue that serves as its central appeal. Critics highlight Soderbergh’s confident direction and crisp editing, while many viewers find the presentation too cerebral and lacking in visceral engagement. The ensemble performances and unconventional shooting approach generate intrigue, yet the dense, talk-driven structure can feel uneven and remote. Overall, the film delivers a challenging but variably rewarding experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s direction and editing exhibit confident pacing and inventive framing suited to its conversational focus. Critics praise the idiosyncratic shooting style and tight cuts, while some viewers note jarring iPhone visuals and occasional overexposed settings. Production design is frequently highlighted for its distinctive environments. The result is a technically bold but sometimes visually uneven presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 72

    When it comes to character and emotion, the central performances are consistently engaging and articulate, particularly from the lead and supporting cast. Critics commend the actors’ interplay and nuanced delivery, though some note that the characters occasionally lack full dimensionality. User feedback echoes appreciation for strong acting but expresses a desire for deeper emotional connections. Overall, the film balances compelling performances with restrained character development.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative offers an original exploration of power dynamics with focused plotting and intelligent dialogue. Critics highlight the film’s speculative angle and brisk exchanges, though some regard the density of ideas as overwhelming. Viewer responses praise the lean structure but note that the talk-heavy approach can slow momentum. Ultimately, the story is engaging in concept yet occasionally uneven in pacing.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When assessing sensory experience, the film combines a minimalist soundtrack with precise sound design that underscores its urban settings. Critics appreciate the sleek auditory clarity and visual coherence, while some viewers report uneven audio transitions and hard-to-follow dialogue. The iPhone cinematography yields a distinctive but occasionally raw visual texture. Overall, the production presents a clean yet occasionally raw sensory palette that supports the narrative focus.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    When considering rewatch factor, the film’s provocative dialogue and thematic depth can invite repeated viewing for idea exploration. However, the intense focus on conversation and lack of dynamic set pieces may limit its appeal on subsequent watches. Some viewers find new nuances in the dense interplay, while others feel the talk-driven structure reduces long-term engagement. Overall, the replay value is modest and best suited to interest in its concepts.

Plot

High Flying Bird Plot Summary

What happens in High Flying Bird from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the sports agency teeters on the edge of financial ruin due to a crippling lockout, Ray Burke finds himself grappling with a profound existential crisis. His boss, David Starr, delivers a jarring wake-up call: the company’s credit cards are rendered useless, clients are abandoning ship, and Ray risks losing his job along with his colleagues. With Erick Scott’s future in a precarious state, Ray must devise a strategy to rescue the agency and rejuvenate his client’s prospects.

Full summary

The whole story of High Flying Bird, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

High Flying Bird Awards & Nominations

High Flying Bird earned 1 award nomination, including Best Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2020.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

High Flying Bird Trailers & Videos

The trailer of High Flying Bird.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know High Flying Bird?

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 financial crisis is the sports agency facing?

Cars

Cars in High Flying Bird

25 cars on screen, including the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV and the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222.

All 25 cars
  • 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV in High Flying Bird 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Series IV Minor role
  • 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 in High Flying Bird 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse W222 Minor role
  • 2013 Audi Q5 in High Flying Bird 2013 Audi Q5 Background role
  • 2018 Audi Q5 in High Flying Bird 2018 Audi Q5 Background role

Seen High Flying Bird?

FAQ

High Flying Bird FAQ: Cast, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of High Flying Bird, each answered in a sentence.

How long is High Flying Bird?

High Flying Bird runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was High Flying Bird released?

High Flying Bird was released on February 8, 2019.

Who directed High Flying Bird?

High Flying Bird was directed by Steven Soderbergh.

More films by Steven Soderbergh

Who is in the cast of High Flying Bird?

High Flying Bird stars Kyle MacLachlan as David Seton, Zachary Quinto as David Starr and Melvin Gregg as Erick Scott, among 19 credited actors.

What was the budget of High Flying Bird?

High Flying Bird had a reported budget of $2 million.

How is High Flying Bird rated?

High Flying Bird has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 56% on TMDB.

Was High Flying Bird nominated for any awards?

High Flying Bird received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does High Flying Bird have a post-credit scene?

No. High Flying Bird has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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