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Comedy drama

The Big Sick (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Big Sick (2017) movie poster

The Big Sick is a 2017 comedy drama directed by Michael Showalter, starring Kumail Nanjiani, Aidy Bryant and Kurt Braunohler. It runs 2 hours and earned $56.4 million worldwide on a $5 million budget. It won 1 award from 11 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$56.4M
award won
1
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The Big Sick (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h (120 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is The Big Sick About?

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

A Pakistani comedian, Kumail Nanjiani, experiences a surprising turn of events when he meets Emily, a graduate student. Their budding romance is complicated by Kumail’s traditional Muslim family and their expectations. As their relationship deepens, Emily’s sudden illness forces Kumail to confront cultural differences and family pressures while supporting her through a difficult time.

The Big Sick Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • interracial love
  • arranged marriage
  • illness
  • family relationships
  • based on true story
  • coma
  • apartment
  • urdu
  • show
  • burger
  • stage
  • school
+38 more
  • telephone
  • pakistan
  • cheese
  • romantic comedy
  • comedian
  • chicago illinois
  • hospital
  • reference to 9 11
  • reference to daniel day lewis
  • reference to elijah wood
  • heckler
  • reference to cocaine
  • reference to facebook
  • reference to vincent price
  • reference to allah
  • anger
  • joke
  • three word title
  • family conflict
  • magic trick
  • f word
  • reference to nintendo
  • reference to pakistan
  • stand up comic
  • reference to heroin
  • pickup line
  • reference to the university of chicago
  • inflatable mattress
  • family dinner
  • reference to tumblr
  • reference to kurt vonnegut
  • batting cage
  • reference to sammy sosa
  • intensive care unit
  • reference to rita rudner
  • reference to isis
  • stuffed toy giraffe
  • drive thru
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Cast & crew

The Big Sick Cast

Kumail Nanjiani leads the cast, with Aidy Bryant and Kurt Braunohler. Directed by Michael Showalter; 9 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Michael Showalter

More films directed by Michael Showalter, best-rated first: Spoiler Alert, The Idea of You, The Eyes of Tammy Faye and Hello, My Name Is Doris.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Big Sick Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Big Sick 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 84/100, strongest in character & emotion (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (75).

84 /100

The Big Sick Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, The Big Sick excels at balancing heartfelt moments with genuine humor, creating a cohesive romantic-comedy experience. Critics and audiences alike praise the interplay between personal stakes, cultural insight, and comedic timing drawn from real events. While a few note a leisurely pace in places, the film’s consistent warmth and character chemistry maintain engagement throughout. Altogether, these qualities contribute to a resonant and satisfying movie that leaves a lasting impression beyond its final credits.

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

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, The Big Sick employs restrained direction and straightforward cinematography that foreground the actors’ performances. Editing maintains a smooth rhythm for its comedic and dramatic beats, though a few narrative transitions feel drawn out. Production design offers an understated cultural backdrop without distraction. Overall, the film’s artful approach supports its narrative without overwhelming it.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    In terms of character and emotion, The Big Sick is anchored by vibrant performances and palpable chemistry between the leads. Actors deliver nuanced portrayals that balance humor with sincerity, while supporting roles lend depth to familial and cultural dynamics. Occasional stiffness in early scenes gives way to authentic emotional resonance. Altogether, the film offers a compelling and warmly human character-driven journey.

  • Story & Flow 82

    In terms of story and flow, The Big Sick presents an engaging narrative that intertwines romantic comedy with cultural insight. The cross-cultural conflict and personal stakes offer originality, while humor and dramatic tension sustain interest. Some viewers note a leisurely pace and occasional narrative bloat, yet the film’s earnest storytelling keeps its momentum. Ultimately, the plot remains both relatable and absorbing.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, The Big Sick relies on a modest score and unobtrusive sound design that complement its intimate tone. Visual style favors naturalistic lighting and restrained production elements, creating cohesion without extravagance. While the soundtrack underscores emotional beats, it rarely asserts itself. Overall, the sensory elements subtly support the film’s narrative and emotional clarity.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of rewatch factor, The Big Sick offers lasting appeal through its blend of humor, emotional depth, and cultural insight. Viewers may find new subtleties in character interactions and cultural nuances on subsequent viewings. However, its moderate pacing and episodic structure may limit endless repeat play. Nonetheless, the film retains warmth and wit over multiple watches.

Plot

The Big Sick Plot Summary

What happens in The Big Sick 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 a comedic routine by Kumail Nanjiani, who humorously reflects on the similarities between life in Pakistan and America, highlighting the distinct cultural aspects like arranged marriages and sports preferences, notably cricket over baseball. Amid his stand-up gigs, Kumail works as an Uber driver in Chicago, where he hangs out with fellow comedians such as Aidy Bryant, Chris (Kurt Braunohler), and CJ ([Bo Burnham]).

One evening, as they perform at a comedy club, they catch the attention of a talent recruiter named Bob Dalavan (Jeremy Shamos), who is scouting for comedians for a Montreal Showcase. Though they all aspire to get in, it’s acknowledged that Chris has the least comedic talent in the group.

Full summary

The whole story of The Big Sick, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Big Sick Box Office & Budget

The Big Sick grossed $56.4 million worldwide on a $5 million budget, 11 times what it cost. $42.9 million came from the US and Canada and $13.5 million (24%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$56.4M

11× its budget

US & Canada
$42.9M
International
$13.5M
Budget
$5M
US & Canada 76% Rest of the world 24%
Awards

The Big Sick Awards & Nominations

The Big Sick won 1 award from 11 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Critics' Choice 2018, with 1 win from 6 nominations.

1 win11 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

The Big Sick Trailers & Videos

16 videos: 4 trailers, 9 clips and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 16 videos
Official US Trailer (Kumail Nanjiani and Ray Romano Intro)
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Trailer THE BIG SICK - Official Trailer - In cinemas July 28th
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Clip The Big Sick – 9-11 | Amazon Studios
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Big Sick?

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 profession does Kumail Nanjiani primarily pursue?

Cars

Cars in The Big Sick

5 cars on screen, including the 2005 Toyota Corolla and the 2008 SAAB 9-3.

All 5 cars
  • 2005 Toyota Corolla in The Big Sick 2005 Toyota Corolla Main role
  • 2008 SAAB 9-3 in The Big Sick 2008 SAAB 9-3 Minor role
  • 2001 Subaru Outback in The Big Sick 2001 Subaru Outback Minor role
  • 2004 Honda Civic in The Big Sick 2004 Honda Civic Background role
Details

The Big Sick Also Known As

29 alternative titles, including “La gran enfermedad del amor” and “빅 식”.

Also known as
  • La gran enfermedad del amor
  • 빅 식
  • The Big Sick - Il matrimonio si può evitare... l'amore no
  • Il matrimonio si può evitare... l'amore no
  • Aşk Denen Hastalık
  • Έρωτας Μετ' Εμποδίων
  • חולי אהבה
  • Mal d'amour
  • Srdcu nerozkážeš
  • Pěkně blbě
  • Любовь – болезнь
  • 大病
+17 more
  • Болест от любов
  • Amor de Improviso
  • Doentes de Amor
  • Por eso lo llaman amor
  • I tak cię kocham
  • Rögtönzött szerelem
  • 愛情昏迷中
  • Кохання – хвороба
  • Moja ljubavna priča
  • Îmbolnăvirea cea mare
  • La gran malaltia de l’amor
  • รักมันป่วย (ซวยแล้วเราเข้ากันไม่ได้)
  • 情人眼裡巴基斯
  • ビッグ・シック ぼくたちの大いなる目ざめ
  • Bệnh Lạ
  • Ljubezen na prvo bolezen
  • Meilės liga

Seen The Big Sick?

FAQ

The Big Sick FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is The Big Sick?

The Big Sick runs 2 hours (120 minutes).

When was The Big Sick released?

The Big Sick was released on June 23, 2017.

Who directed The Big Sick?

The Big Sick was directed by Michael Showalter.

More films by Michael Showalter

Who is in the cast of The Big Sick?

The Big Sick stars Kumail Nanjiani, Aidy Bryant and Kurt Braunohler, among 9 credited actors.

How much did The Big Sick make at the box office?

The Big Sick grossed $56.4 million worldwide ($42.9 million domestic, $13.5 million international) on a budget of $5 million.

How is The Big Sick rated?

The Big Sick has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

What awards did The Big Sick win?

The Big Sick won 1 award from 11 nominations, including Best Comedy at the Critics' Choice 2018.

Does The Big Sick have a post-credit scene?

Yes. The Big Sick has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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