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The Stand In (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Stand In (2020) movie poster

The Stand In is a 2020 comedy directed by Jamie Babbit, starring Drew Barrymore as Paula, Candy, Ellie Kemper and Michael Zegen. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $101,358 worldwide. Critics gave it 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10.

IMDb rating
4.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
31%
worldwide gross
$101.4K
Echo Score
31
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The Stand In (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 41m (101 min)
Director
Jamie Babbit
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Stand In About?

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

When an actress faces a legal sentence, a charming stand-in seizes the opportunity to take her place, skillfully mimicking her and quickly rising to fame. He enjoys the perks of her celebrity, but finds himself increasingly entangled in the complex reality of her life and the consequences of his deception. Navigating the blurred lines between his own identity and the stolen spotlight proves to be a dangerous game.

The Stand In Themes & Keywords

· 3 tags
  • actress
  • 2020s
  • 21st century
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Cast & crew

The Stand In Cast & Characters

Drew Barrymore leads the cast as Paula, Candy, with Ellie Kemper as Jenna Jones and Michael Zegen as Steve. Directed by Jamie Babbit; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Stand In

· 8 more
From the director

More from Jamie Babbit

More films directed by Jamie Babbit, best-rated first: But I'm a Cheerleader, Breaking the Girls, Addicted to Fresno and The Quiet.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Stand In Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Stand In 31% on Rotten Tomatoes and 38 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 31/100, strongest in character & emotion (38) and weakest in rewatch factor (20).

31 /100

The Stand In Echo Score Breakdown

The Stand In struggles to deliver a cohesive comedic-drama, with uneven tonal shifts and inconsistent narrative focus. Critics frequently describe it as banally structured, while some viewers noted occasional humor and cameos. The dual-role performance by Drew Barrymore offers brief highlights but is undermined by a lack of depth in character arcs. Despite moments of light humor, the film’s pacing falters and thematic potential remains unfulfilled. Overall, this uneven execution results in a largely underwhelming experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s visual design and direction are largely uninspired. The cinematography maintains a serviceable but bland aesthetic, and the editing does little to enhance narrative momentum. Production elements lack distinctive flair, resulting in an overall look that feels utilitarian rather than engaging. Artisanal details remain minimal throughout.

  • Character & Emotion 38

    In terms of character and emotion, the dual-role performance draws occasional interest but fails to establish meaningful depth. Drew Barrymore’s charm provides fleeting warmth, yet supporting characters often remain underdeveloped and emotionally unanchored. The chemistry between leads is inconsistent, resulting in several emotionally flat moments. Overall, character arcs lack sufficient resonance to engage fully.

  • Story & Flow 32

    When it comes to story and flow, the narrative suffers from uneven pacing and lack of coherent focus. The revenge-fantasy premise shows promise but becomes diluted by shifting tones and unresolved subplots. Viewers describe the plot as rushed in places and meandering in others, creating disengagement. Overall, the storyline feels unfocused and underdeveloped.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design remain largely anonymous, offering no memorable motifs or dynamic audio cues. Visual styling is serviceable but rarely innovative, with muted color palettes and standard framing. Occasional comedic beats are highlighted by sound, yet these moments are not enough to elevate the overall sensory impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 20

    When considering the rewatch factor, the film offers limited appeal for subsequent viewings. Moments of humor and cameo appearances provide brief entertainment, but the overall lack of narrative depth and uneven tone diminish lasting engagement. Without strong emotional or thematic anchors, the film is unlikely to reward repeat viewings.

Plot

The Stand In Plot Summary

What happens in The Stand In from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Candy Black Drew Barrymore once starred as a blockbuster comedic force, but years of drug abuse and anger issues have left her difficult to work with. On the set of a film, she refuses to shoot until her stand-in Paula Drew Barrymore reveals the director may replace her with Melissa McCarthy. During the scene, her co-star Jenna Jones Ellie Kemper hurls a solid marble statue instead of a breakaway prop. In a flare of rage, Candy shatters an ashtray and a shard strikes Jones’ eye. The shocking video goes viral and wrecks Candy’s career, turning her life upside down.

Full summary

The whole story of The Stand In, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Stand In Box Office

The Stand In grossed $101,358 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$101.4K

International
$101.4K
Videos

The Stand In Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Stand In.

The Stranded | Official Trailer [HD] | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Stand In?

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
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  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

Which actor plays both Candy Black and Paula in the film?

Seen The Stand In?

FAQ

The Stand In FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Stand In?

The Stand In runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).

When was The Stand In released?

The Stand In was released on December 11, 2020.

Who directed The Stand In?

The Stand In was directed by Jamie Babbit.

More films by Jamie Babbit

Who is in the cast of The Stand In?

The Stand In stars Drew Barrymore as Paula, Candy, Ellie Kemper as Jenna Jones and Michael Zegen as Steve, among 12 credited actors.

How much did The Stand In make at the box office?

The Stand In grossed $101,358 worldwide.

How is The Stand In rated?

The Stand In has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 31% on Rotten Tomatoes, 38 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does The Stand In have a post-credit scene?

No. The Stand In has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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