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Comedy drama

Permission (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Permission (2018) movie poster

Permission is a 2018 comedy drama directed by Brian Crano, starring Dan Stevens as Will, Gina Gershon and Jason Sudeikis. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $38,260 worldwide. Critics gave it 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
5.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
67%
worldwide gross
$38.3K
Echo Score
70
Permission (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Brian Crano
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Permission About?

The premise of Permission without spoilers.

As Anna approaches her 30th birthday, she and her boyfriend Will find themselves questioning the boundaries of their relationship. Inspired by a desire to explore new experiences, they decide to embark on an unconventional experiment that challenges the traditional rules of monogamy. This intimate drama follows their journey as they navigate complex emotions and confront the potential evolution of their love, blurring the lines between commitment and desire.

Permission Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • sex scene
  • male full frontal nudity
  • homoerotica
  • boyfriend boyfriend relationship
  • female topless nudity
  • open relationship
  • spitting in someone's mouth
  • male male hug
  • brother sister relationship
  • sexual experimentation
  • sexual promiscuity
  • male frontal nudity
+38 more
  • rear nudity
  • male male kiss
  • pubic hair
  • male nudity
  • gay sex
  • bare chested male
  • male pubic hair
  • rear entry sex
  • sleeping nude
  • erotica
  • crying man
  • reference to anderson cooper
  • business partner
  • jealousy
  • undressing
  • orgasm
  • gay man wants a baby
  • unfaithfulness
  • one word title
  • post coital scene
  • love triangle
  • breakup
  • park bench
  • apology
  • practicing a marriage proposal
  • engagement ring
  • kneeling to propose marriage
  • new house
  • wedding engagement
  • remote control
  • note
  • piano
  • new york university
  • pianist
  • marriage proposal
  • happy birthday
  • restaurant
  • photograph
Where to watch

Where to Watch Permission

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Permission Cast & Characters

Dan Stevens leads the cast as Will, with Gina Gershon as Lydia and Jason Sudeikis as Glenn. Directed by Brian Crano; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Permission

· 5 more
Ratings

Permission Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Permission 67% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in sensory experience (55).

70 /100

Permission Echo Score Breakdown

Permission delivers a measured examination of modern relationships with notable emotional depth. While the film’s measured pacing and intimate direction create moments of genuine poignancy, its understated visual style and occasional narrative lulls limit broader engagement. Strong performances anchor the central dilemma and redeem uneven stretches in the script. The blend of humor and heartbreak resonates in its climax, leaving a nuanced impression. Overall, Permission offers a thoughtful yet imperfect exploration of commitment that balances subtle insights with sporadic underwhelming beats.

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 direction and craft, Permission presents a reserved visual approach with moments of understated framing. Critics note its measured pacing contributes to its emotional weight, though some narrative beats feel protracted. Production design remains unobtrusive, supporting the intimate tone rather than drawing focus. Editing choices sometimes delay key developments, resulting in occasional underwhelming sequences. Overall, the film’s artful restraint evokes contemplation but fails to sustain momentum at times.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth, Permission benefits from compelling lead performances that convey nuanced emotional stakes. The central actors deliver credible chemistry and invest in vulnerable moments that underscore monogamy’s complexities. Secondary roles add texture without overshadowing the protagonists, though a few decisions feel insufficiently motivated. Emotional resonance peaks in the final scenes, lending the characters a poignant clarity. Overall, the film achieves a layered portrayal of personal conflicts anchored by strong performances.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of plot and flow, Permission unfolds as a familiar romantic drama with subtle genre twists that emerge late in the narrative. Early segments establish the relationship crisis effectively but suffer from uneven pacing that affects engagement. Midfilm developments introduce unexpected stakes and thematic depth, though some story turns strain plausibility. The decisive ending redeems slower passages by offering a reflective payoff. Overall, the story balances modest originality with intermittent lulls in momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    When considering sensory elements, the film adopts a restrained audio-visual style that aligns with its intimate tone. While ambient sound design remains clear, the absence of a balanced musical score limits emotional heightening during key moments. Cinematography favors naturalistic lighting, providing authenticity but lacking a distinct visual flourish. Production design integrates seamlessly yet does not create memorable aesthetic moments. Overall, the sensory presentation supports the narrative subtly but misses opportunities for greater immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch value, Permission offers thoughtful character arcs and nuanced dialogue that may reveal new layers upon subsequent viewings. The emotional stakes and final payoff could resonate differently with each revisit, particularly for viewers examining relationship dynamics. However, the film’s understated style and moderate pacing may reduce its appeal compared to more energetic dramas. Overall, it holds moderate replay potential for those invested in its thematic concerns but may feel repetitive for casual audiences.

Box office

Permission Box Office

Permission grossed $38,260 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$38.3K

International
$38.3K
Videos

Permission Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser Watch for FREE on Prime Video
Details

Permission Also Known As

20 alternative titles, including “Traições Consentidas” and “人生许可”.

Also known as
  • Traições Consentidas
  • 人生许可
  • 开放性关系
  • Una Relación Abierta
  • Разрешение
  • Permission - Seitensprung erlaubt
  • Право на измену
  • 開放性關係
  • İlişki Durumu: Açık İlişki
  • 퍼미션
  • Permissão
  • Megcsalási engedély
+8 more
  • Test na miłość
  • אישור לשכב עם אחרים
  • 准许
  • Traições (con)sentidas
  • Dva nestačí
  • Patto d'amore, ნებართვა
  • Test
  • 結婚まで1%

Seen Permission?

FAQ

Permission FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Permission?

Permission runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Permission released?

Permission was released on February 9, 2018.

Who directed Permission?

Permission was directed by Brian Crano.

More films by Brian Crano

Who is in the cast of Permission?

Permission stars Dan Stevens as Will, Gina Gershon as Lydia and Jason Sudeikis as Glenn, among 9 credited actors.

Where can I watch Permission?

In the US, Permission is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Permission make at the box office?

Permission grossed $38,260 worldwide.

How is Permission rated?

Permission has 5.4/10 on IMDb, 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 51% on TMDB.

Does Permission have a post-credit scene?

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

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