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Biographical drama

Rebel in the Rye (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Rebel in the Rye (2017) movie poster

Rebel in the Rye is a 2017 biographical drama directed by Danny Strong, starring Nicholas Hoult as Jerry Salinger, Zoey Deutch and Kevin Spacey. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $944,370 worldwide. Critics gave it 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
29%
worldwide gross
$944.4K
Echo Score
60
Rebel in the Rye (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Director
Danny Strong
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Rebel in the Rye About?

The premise of Rebel in the Rye without spoilers.

In 1940s New York City, a young J.D. Salinger grapples with love, the looming shadow of World War II, and the search for his artistic voice. Inspired by the city's energy and struggles, he embarks on a passionate but brief romance with Oona O'Neill. This intense experience profoundly influences his writing and ultimately helps him create his celebrated novel, The Catcher in the Rye, leading to both recognition and a sense of isolation.

Rebel in the Rye Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • author
  • writer
  • recluse
  • world war two
  • the catcher in the rye the novel
  • voice over narration
  • reference to holden caulfield
  • sarcasm
  • flashback
  • flash forward
  • year 1939
  • new york city
+38 more
  • stork club manhattan new york city
  • manhattan new york city
  • drums
  • drummer
  • champagne
  • dancer
  • dancing
  • brother sister relationship
  • college dropout
  • jew
  • drink
  • drinking
  • cigarette smoking
  • reference to eugene o'neill
  • short story writer
  • food
  • eating
  • irony
  • first person narration
  • book of matches
  • looking out a window
  • voice over writing
  • mother son relationship
  • drunkenness
  • 50 year old
  • father son relationship
  • meat and cheese distribution
  • nickname
  • columbia university
  • creative writing class
  • creative writing student
  • professor
  • college student
  • class
  • classroom
  • atheism
  • essay
  • listening to a radio
Where to watch

Where to Watch Rebel in the Rye

Stream it on AMC Plus and AMC+, 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

Rebel in the Rye Cast & Characters

Nicholas Hoult leads the cast as Jerry Salinger, with Zoey Deutch as Oona O'Neill and Kevin Spacey as Whit Burnett. Directed by Danny Strong; 15 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Rebel in the Rye Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Rebel in the Rye 29% on Rotten Tomatoes and 46 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in character & emotion (70) and weakest in story & flow (50).

60 /100

Rebel in the Rye Echo Score Breakdown

Rebel in the Rye presents a moderately engaging biopic underpinned by assured performances and meticulous period detail but hampered by a lack of narrative depth. In terms of direction and structure, the film remains linear and skimming, prompting a sense of thematic superficiality. While viewers appreciate the thoughtful portrayal and visual authenticity, critiques note the limited complexity in character exploration and storytelling. Consequently, the film strikes a balance between craft and content, resulting in a competent yet somewhat restrained adaptation of Salinger’s life.

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 art and craft, the film showcases meticulous period design and polished cinematography contrasted with a direction that rarely finds dramatic momentum. The elegance of the 1940s settings and attention to visual detail receive consistent praise, yet the pacing and staging remain conventional. Overall, the film demonstrates solid production values but lacks bold directorial expression.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is anchored by committed lead performances that capture Salinger’s introspection and vulnerability. The chemistry between the central figures provides a coherent emotional thread, although the script’s limited depth curtails more nuanced development. In sum, the acting elevates the material, but the portrayal of inner conflicts could benefit from greater complexity.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative proceeds in a straightforward, linear fashion that covers key biographical milestones without delving into deeper thematic exploration. Critics observe a lack of dramatic tension and occasional pacing lulls, while audiences note the absence of surprising insights. The resulting storyline is serviceable but offers limited engagement beyond surface-level events.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    When assessing the sensory experience, the film’s visual style is marked by an understated color palette and authentic period costumes that support the atmosphere. Soundtrack and sound design contribute unobtrusively, reinforcing mood without standing out. Despite the cohesive audiovisual presentation, there are few moments of striking sensory innovation, making the experience consistently pleasant but rarely memorable.

  • Rewatch Factor 55

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s strengths lie in its performances and period detail, which retain a measure of appeal on repeat viewing. However, the predictability of the narrative and limited thematic depth reduce motivations for multiple viewings. As a result, the biopic offers modest replay value, suited to viewers drawn primarily by its craft rather than its storytelling.

Box office

Rebel in the Rye Box Office

Rebel in the Rye grossed $944,370 worldwide. $378,294 came from the US and Canada and $566,076 (60%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$944.4K

US & Canada
$378.3K
International
$566.1K
US & Canada 40% Rest of the world 60%
Videos

Rebel in the Rye Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Rebel in the Rye.

Official Trailer
Cars

Cars in Rebel in the Rye

7 cars on screen, including the 1951 Hudson Pacemaker and the unknown.

All 7 cars
  • 1951 Hudson Pacemaker in Rebel in the Rye 1951 Hudson Pacemaker Important role
  • unknown in Rebel in the Rye unknown Minor role
  • 1947 Chevrolet Fleetline Sportmaster in Rebel in the Rye 1947 Chevrolet Fleetline Sportmaster Background role
  • 1941 Plymouth Roadking in Rebel in the Rye 1941 Plymouth Roadking Background role
Details

Rebel in the Rye Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “麦田里的叛逆者” and “叛逆自传:我的麦田捕曲”.

Also known as
  • 麦田里的叛逆者
  • 叛逆自传:我的麦田捕曲
  • 叛逆的麦田捕手
  • 레벨 인 더 라이
  • За пропастью во ржи
  • Çavdar Tarlasındaki Asi
  • За прірвою у житі
  • Rebelde entre el centeno
  • Επαναστάτης στη Σίκαλη
  • Бунтовник в ръжта
  • Rebel v žitě
  • 麦田里的反叛者
+15 more
  • 호밀밭의 반항아
  • המורד בשדה השיפון
  • Aiz kraujas rudzu laukā
  • Sukilėlis rugiuose
  • O Rebelde no Campo de Centeio: A Vida de J.D. Salinger
  • El rebelde oculto
  • 叛逆的麥田捕手
  • Zbuntowany w zbożu
  • 叛逆字傳:我的麥田捕曲
  • Salinger
  • A Vida de um Génio
  • ライ麦畑の反逆児 ひとりぼっちのサリンジャー, მეამბოხე ჭვავის ყანაში
  • El vigilant en el camp de sègol
  • Upornik v rži
  • เขียนไว้ให้โลกจารึก

Seen Rebel in the Rye?

FAQ

Rebel in the Rye FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

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

How long is Rebel in the Rye?

Rebel in the Rye runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Rebel in the Rye released?

Rebel in the Rye was released on September 8, 2017.

Who directed Rebel in the Rye?

Rebel in the Rye was directed by Danny Strong.

More films by Danny Strong

Who is in the cast of Rebel in the Rye?

Rebel in the Rye stars Nicholas Hoult as Jerry Salinger, Zoey Deutch as Oona O'Neill and Kevin Spacey as Whit Burnett, among 15 credited actors.

Where can I watch Rebel in the Rye?

In the US, Rebel in the Rye is streaming on AMC Plus, AMC+ and fuboTV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Rebel in the Rye make at the box office?

Rebel in the Rye grossed $944,370 worldwide ($378,294 domestic, $566,076 international).

How is Rebel in the Rye rated?

Rebel in the Rye has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, 46 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

Does Rebel in the Rye have a post-credit scene?

No. Rebel in the Rye has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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