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Family documentary

Quest (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Quest (2017) movie poster

Quest is a 2017 family documentary directed by Jonathan Olshefski, starring Christopher Rainey, Christine'a Rainey and P.J. Rainey. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $50,022 worldwide. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$50K
Echo Score
84
Metascore
88
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Quest (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Genres
Documentary , Family , Music
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Quest About?

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

In the vibrant heart of North Philadelphia, the Rainey family's story unfolds over nearly a decade. As the Obama era begins, Quest and his wife, Ma Quest, nurture their community and raise their family within their own music studio, a hub for creativity and connection. The film captures the warmth and resilience of a loving home, celebrating the rhythms of hip hop, art, and the enduring spirit of neighborhood life.

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Cast & crew

Quest Cast

Christopher Rainey leads the cast, with Christine'a Rainey and P.J. Rainey. Directed by Jonathan Olshefski; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Quest

· 16 more
Ratings

Quest Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Quest 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

84 /100

Quest Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of overall impact, Quest succeeds as an intimate and emotionally resonant documentary that balances everyday struggle with moments of warmth and insight. The film’s unhurried pacing and sincere approach allow audiences to engage with the Rainey family’s experiences without embellishment. While the narrative occasionally broadens its scope to the point of mild diffusion, its consistent tone and empathetic framing deliver a cohesive portrait. Overall, the film offers a quietly powerful viewing experience.

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, the film employs understated cinematography and measured editing to convey everyday life with subtle precision. Direction emphasizes intimate close-ups and gradual framing shifts, capturing fleeting emotions without dramatic flourishes. The production design feels authentic and unadorned, reinforcing the portrayal of modest living conditions. Altogether, the craft elements coalesce into a refined yet unobtrusive visual style.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, Quest foregrounds the Rainey family’s resilience through nuanced observation and gentle probing. The film’s close attention to PJ’s responses to random violence and parents’ perseverance fosters deep empathy. Performances emerge organically from daily routines rather than scripted scenes, allowing genuine warmth and vulnerability to surface. Consequently, the emotional connection remains consistently engaging and heartfelt.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of story and flow, the documentary unfolds at a relaxed pace that highlights everyday realities without forcing a grand thesis. The political and social contexts emerge gradually, grounding the narrative in modern American life. However, the breadth of topics occasionally diffuses focus, leading to moments of mild narrative clutter. Despite this, the film maintains engagement through its coherent framing of the Raineys’ ongoing journey.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, Quest offers a restrained audiovisual approach that prioritizes authenticity over spectacle. The sound design is unobtrusive, with ambient noise and dialogue carrying the weight of immersion. The visual style relies on natural lighting and a muted color palette, reflecting the film’s sincere tone. While the soundtrack remains minimal, its subtle integration supports rather than distracts from the on-screen reality.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s observational style and modest pacing offer limited incentive for multiple viewings. The absence of dramatic plot twists or stylized sequences may reduce the enjoyment on subsequent watches. Yet the sincerity of the Rainey family’s journey and the film’s thematic depth could prompt reflection over time. Overall, Quest achieves modest replay value rooted in its emotional honesty.

Plot

Quest Plot Summary

What happens in Quest from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Spanning an eight-year period, Quest offers an intimate look at the lives of the Rainey family as they navigate the challenges of a struggling neighborhood in North Philadelphia. The story centers on Christopher Rainey, known as “Quest,” and his wife Christine’a Rainey, or “Ma Quest,” along with their daughter P.J. Rainey and Christine’a’s adult son William Withers, who is raising his own infant son.

Full summary

The whole story of Quest, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Quest Box Office

Quest grossed $50,022 worldwide. $47,807 came from the US and Canada and $2,215 (4%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$50K

US & Canada
$47.8K
International
$2.2K
US & Canada 96% Rest of the world 4%
Videos

Quest Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Quest.

Quest Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Quest?

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

In which city is the Rainey family's neighborhood located?

Details

Quest Also Known As

Also known as “Quest!”.

Also known as
  • Quest!

Seen Quest?

FAQ

Quest FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Quest?

Quest runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was Quest released?

Quest was released on December 8, 2017.

Who directed Quest?

Quest was directed by Jonathan Olshefski.

Who is in the cast of Quest?

Quest stars Christopher Rainey, Christine'a Rainey and P.J. Rainey, among 20 credited actors.

How much did Quest make at the box office?

Quest grossed $50,022 worldwide ($47,807 domestic, $2,215 international).

How is Quest rated?

Quest has 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88 on Metacritic, 75% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Quest have a post-credit scene?

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

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