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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Stronger (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Stronger (2017) movie poster

Stronger is a 2017 biographical drama directed by David Gordon Green, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Jeff Bauman, Miranda Richardson and Tatiana Maslany. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $8.5 million worldwide on a $30 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2018. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Stream it on Fandango at Home Free and Fawesome, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$8.5M
award nomination
1
Stronger (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$30M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Stronger About?

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

Following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Jeff Bauman, an ordinary man, faces unimaginable circumstances after suffering severe injuries, including the loss of both legs. As he begins a long and difficult journey of recovery, he draws strength from his family and friends. Determined to overcome adversity, Jeff finds renewed purpose and becomes an inspirational figure, embodying hope and resilience for the people of Boston.

Stronger Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • bombing
  • marathon
  • yelling
  • running
  • wheelchair
  • boston marathon
  • loss of legs
  • sex scene
  • year 2013
  • true crime
  • boston red sox
  • boston bruins
+38 more
  • boston massachusetts
  • pregnancy
  • pregnancy test
  • beer
  • drunkenness
  • f word
  • ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • father son relationship
  • sister sister relationship
  • falling to the ground
  • artificial leg
  • bathtub
  • nudity
  • female nudity
  • bar
  • baseball
  • fight
  • bar fight
  • thumbs up gesture
  • american flag
  • falling to the floor
  • bathroom
  • defecation
  • reference to oprah winfrey
  • parking lot
  • cafe
  • telephone
  • telephone call
  • explosion
  • hospital
  • hospital bed
  • kiss
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • backyard party
  • chelmsford massachusetts
  • cowboy hat
  • dead son
Where to watch

Where to Watch Stronger

Stream it on Fandango at Home Free and Fawesome, 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

Stronger Cast & Characters

Jake Gyllenhaal leads the cast as Jeff Bauman, with Miranda Richardson as Patty and Tatiana Maslany as Erin Hurley. Directed by David Gordon Green; 20 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Stronger Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Stronger 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 76 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

80 /100

Stronger Echo Score Breakdown

Despite occasional formulaic moments, Stronger offers a consistently moving exploration of trauma and resilience, anchored by assured direction and powerful performances. The emotional depth of its central characters is complemented by a narrative that balances stark realism with measured pacing, while its visual design remains restrained yet effective. Sound and musical elements are used sparingly to underscore key scenes. Though its intensity may limit repeat viewings, the film’s integrity leaves a lasting impact.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film employs a subdued yet deliberate visual approach that underscores its serious themes. Direction remains assured, with careful frame compositions that accentuate emotional beats. Editing transitions feel measured, avoiding abrupt shifts even during tense sequences. Production design opts for authentic settings without embellishment. Overall, the craft elements cohere into a restrained aesthetic that supports the story’s intimate focus.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    In terms of character and emotional resonance, performances are uniformly compelling and deeply felt. Lead and supporting actors deliver nuanced portrayals that convey vulnerability and complexity, particularly within familial and romantic relationships. Dialogue and brief emotional exchanges ring with authenticity, drawing viewers into personal struggles without resorting to melodrama. Consequently, the film achieves a strong empathetic connection that anchors its narrative and sustains its human dimension.

  • Story & Flow 78

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative delivers a clear trajectory of trauma and recovery with occasional rhythmic lulls. The screenplay balances factual grounding with creative adjustments, ensuring coherence even when dramatizing events. Pacing is generally measured but can lose momentum during quieter stretches. Originality stems from its unsentimental perspective, though some segments feel familiar. Overall, the story maintains engagement through its honest portrayal of personal struggle and aftermath.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In terms of sensory experience, the film adopts a restrained sonic and visual palette that amplifies its realism. The soundtrack is understated, allowing ambient sound design to highlight critical moments without distraction. Visual styling favors naturalistic lighting and muted tones, reinforcing the emotional atmosphere. Sound mixing integrates dialogue and environmental cues with clarity. Collectively, these elements create an immersive yet unobtrusive sensory framework that complements the film’s intimate scope.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s emotional intensity and unflinching portrayal of trauma may limit its replay appeal. While the depth of performances and authenticity invite appreciation, the weight of difficult subject matter can make subsequent viewings challenging. Few lighter moments provide respite, so viewers may opt for occasional returns rather than repeated viewings. Overall, the film offers lasting impression but is best approached selectively.

Plot

Stronger Plot Summary

What happens in Stronger from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jeff Bauman is a kind-hearted yet struggling individual from Boston who works the deli counter at a Costco, sharing a cramped two-bedroom apartment with his alcoholic mother, Patty. At a local bar one evening, Jeff encounters his ex-girlfriend, Erin, who is drawn to his kindness but is exasperated by his reluctance to commit. After learning that Erin plans to run in the 2013 Boston Marathon to fundraise for her hospital job, Jeff makes an effort to rally support from everyone present in the bar to donate. He then vows to Erin that he’ll hold a big sign for her at the finish line.

Full summary

The whole story of Stronger, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Stronger Box Office & Budget

Stronger grossed $8.5 million worldwide on a $30 million budget, 28% of what it cost. $4.2 million came from the US and Canada and $4.3 million (50%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$8.5M

28% of its budget back

US & Canada
$4.2M
International
$4.3M
Budget
$30M
US & Canada 50% Rest of the world 50%
Awards

Stronger Awards & Nominations

Stronger earned 1 award nomination, including Best Actor at the Critics' Choice 2018.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Stronger Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer International Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Stronger?

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 is Jeff Bauman's job at the beginning of the movie?

Details

Stronger Also Known As

28 alternative titles, including “O Que te Faz Mais Forte” and “Más fuerte que el destino”.

Also known as
  • O Que te Faz Mais Forte
  • Más fuerte que el destino
  • Snaga je u meni
  • Dar stipresnis
  • Stronger - Força de Viver
  • Pes Etme
  • 스트롱거
  • 坚强
  • חזק יותר
  • 你是我的勇氣
  • Сильнее
  • Дужчий
+16 more
  • หัวใจไม่แพ้
  • Stronger: Με τη δύναμη της ζωής
  • По-силни
  • 生命因你更坚强
  • Silnější
  • Stiprāks
  • Bostoni erő
  • Invincibil
  • Niezwyciężony
  • Debout
  • Stronger - A Força de Viver
  • 生命因妳更強
  • Stronger - Io sono più forte
  • ボストン ストロング ダメな僕だから英雄になれた
  • Stronger: Vượt Lên Số Phận
  • أقوى

Seen Stronger?

FAQ

Stronger FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and awards of Stronger, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Stronger?

Stronger runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Stronger released?

Stronger was released on September 22, 2017.

Who directed Stronger?

Stronger was directed by David Gordon Green.

More films by David Gordon Green

Who is in the cast of Stronger?

Stronger stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Jeff Bauman, Miranda Richardson as Patty and Tatiana Maslany as Erin Hurley, among 20 credited actors.

Where can I watch Stronger?

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

How much did Stronger make at the box office?

Stronger grossed $8.5 million worldwide ($4.2 million domestic, $4.3 million international) on a budget of $30 million.

How is Stronger rated?

Stronger has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Was Stronger nominated for any awards?

Stronger received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

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