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Comedy drama

Paddleton (2019): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Paddleton (2019) movie poster

Paddleton is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Alexandre Lehmann, starring Mark Duplass as Michael, Ray Romano and Kadeem Hardison. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes. Critics gave it 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Stream it on Netflix.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
89%
Echo Score
75
Metascore
70
Paddleton (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Paddleton About?

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

When a man receives a grim prognosis, he and his quirky neighbor embark on a bittersweet journey filled with unexpected adventures and heartfelt moments. Their unique friendship deepens as they navigate the challenges ahead, finding humor and connection in the face of adversity and creating lasting memories together.

Paddleton Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • friendship
  • friend
  • game playing
  • best friend
  • bromance
  • male nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • male male friendship
  • hot tub
  • assisted suicide
  • cancer
  • terminal illness
+38 more
  • implied male nudity
  • tennis racket
  • abandoned drive in movie theatre
  • beer
  • drink
  • drinking
  • watching a movie on tv
  • watching tv
  • film within a film
  • male camaraderie
  • apartment
  • neighbor
  • mother son relationship
  • little boy
  • motel
  • bar
  • mirror
  • reflection in a mirror
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • half time speech
  • hald time football speech
  • open mic
  • vomiting
  • death
  • dying
  • mustache
  • mustached man
  • woman wears a bra
  • man wears pajamas
  • man wears boxer shorts
  • alpine costume
  • created game
  • caregiving
  • female doctor
  • medication
  • safe code
  • portable safe
  • chased around a table
Where to watch

Where to Watch Paddleton

Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Paddleton Cast & Characters

Mark Duplass leads the cast as Michael, with Ray Romano as Andy and Kadeem Hardison as Dave. Directed by Alexandre Lehmann; 19 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Paddleton Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Paddleton 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

75 /100

Paddleton Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall impact, Paddleton stands out for its quietly affecting emotional core supported by understated direction and strong performances. The film’s deliberate pacing allows moments of warmth and dry humor to emerge organically, albeit at times leading to a measured rhythm that demands patience. Its simple but resonant narrative balances modest production values with deeply felt relationships. While the pacing can be uneven, the film’s blend of subtle humor and poignant themes leaves a lasting impression. Overall, Paddleton offers a thoughtfully restrained portrayal of friendship facing mortality.

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’s direction adopts a restrained indie approach that reinforces its intimate story. The cinematography favors natural lighting and unembellished compositions, while the production design remains modest yet purposeful. Editing choices emphasize quiet moments over spectacle. This understated craft supports the narrative’s emotional undercurrents without drawing overt attention.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, Paddleton excels through nuanced performances that capture the bond between two friends. The leads convey depth with minimalistic expressions, bringing authenticity to idiosyncratic personalities. Emotional resonance builds gradually, grounded in subtle chemistry rather than overt dramatics. This focus on character-driven storytelling forms the film’s emotional backbone.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative follows a straightforward trajectory that prioritizes emotional beats over complex plotting. Pacing is deliberate, resulting in occasional lulls before the conclusion’s heightened poignancy. While the premise fits familiar tropes, the film delivers genuine engagement through its concise focus on friendship and mortality. The overall arc remains coherent yet reserved.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When evaluating sensory experience, Paddleton employs a minimalistic score that underscores rather than overwhelms its tone. Sound design remains clear and unobtrusive, complementing the visuals without distraction. The visual style favors subdued color choices and camera work that emphasize realism. This gentle cohesion enhances immersion but stops short of bold sensory flourishes.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s emotional sincerity and dry humor offer meaningful appeal on subsequent viewings. Moments of understated warmth and carefully placed tonal shifts may reveal additional nuance over time. However, the measured pace and modest production scope may limit frequent rewatching to those already invested in its central relationship. The lasting appeal is quiet but genuine.

Plot

Paddleton Plot Summary

What happens in Paddleton 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

The film begins with Michael (Mark Duplass) and Andy (Ray Romano) at a doctor’s office, where they receive devastating news from the doctor—Michael has cancer that has metastasized. While the doctor suggests consulting a specialist for further information, Andy interjects, eager to learn more but is met with evasiveness. Michael processes this shattering news stoically, showing little emotion.

Full summary

The whole story of Paddleton, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Paddleton Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Paddleton.

Paddleton | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Paddleton?

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 devastating news do Michael and Andy receive at the doctor's office?

Cars

Cars in Paddleton

18 cars on screen, including the 1989 Nissan Sentra and the 2010 Hyundai Tucson.

All 18 cars
  • 1989 Nissan Sentra in Paddleton 1989 Nissan Sentra Important role
  • 2010 Hyundai Tucson in Paddleton 2010 Hyundai Tucson Minor role
  • 2003 Cadillac CTS in Paddleton 2003 Cadillac CTS Background role
  • 2000 Chevrolet Corvette C5 in Paddleton 2000 Chevrolet Corvette C5 Background role
Details

Paddleton Also Known As

6 alternative titles, including “Паддлтон” and “פאדלטון”.

Also known as
  • Паддлтон
  • פאדלטון
  • 패들턴
  • 患難兄弟情
  • 患难兄弟情
  • แพดเดิลตัน

Seen Paddleton?

FAQ

Paddleton FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

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

How long is Paddleton?

Paddleton runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was Paddleton released?

Paddleton was released on February 22, 2019.

Who directed Paddleton?

Paddleton was directed by Alexandre Lehmann.

More films by Alexandre Lehmann

Who is in the cast of Paddleton?

Paddleton stars Mark Duplass as Michael, Ray Romano as Andy and Kadeem Hardison as Dave, among 19 credited actors.

Where can I watch Paddleton?

In the US, Paddleton is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).

How is Paddleton rated?

Paddleton has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does Paddleton have a post-credit scene?

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

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