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The Tribes of Palos Verdes (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Tribes of Palos Verdes (2017) movie poster

The Tribes of Palos Verdes is a 2017 drama directed by Emmett Malloy and Brendan Malloy, starring Maika Monroe as Medina, Jennifer Garner and Justin Kirk. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $11,603 worldwide. Critics gave it 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10.

IMDb rating
5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
68%
worldwide gross
$11.6K
Echo Score
62
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The Tribes of Palos Verdes (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Tribes of Palos Verdes About?

The premise of The Tribes of Palos Verdes without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A poignant drama about a teenager named Medina, who finds her family relocating to the seemingly idyllic coastal community of Palos Verdes, California. Struggling with a fresh start and the emotional turmoil that follows, Medina grapples with fraying relationships and surfacing secrets. To cope with the challenges, she finds solace and strength through surfing, ultimately needing to find the resilience to keep her family together.

The Tribes of Palos Verdes Themes & Keywords

· 5 tags
  • young
  • place name in title
  • surfing
  • los angeles california
  • based on novel
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Cast & crew

The Tribes of Palos Verdes Cast & Characters

Maika Monroe leads the cast as Medina, with Jennifer Garner as Sandy and Justin Kirk as Phil. Directed by Emmett Malloy and Brendan Malloy; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the directors

More from Emmett Malloy and Brendan Malloy

More films directed by Emmett Malloy and Brendan Malloy, best-rated first: Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell, Out Cold, Jack White: Kneeling At The Anthem D.C. and Big Easy Express.

Ratings

The Tribes of Palos Verdes Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Tribes of Palos Verdes 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

62 /100

The Tribes of Palos Verdes Echo Score Breakdown

The Tribes of Palos Verdes delivers a visually engaging but narratively uneven experience. While the film’s atmosphere and performances earn consistent praise, critics and viewers point to a fragmented script and pacing that undermines dramatic momentum. The emotional core benefits from committed acting, yet the storytelling often feels truncated and aimless. As a result, the film offers moments of resonance but falls short of lasting cohesion.

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

  • Art & Craft 75

    Visual craftsmanship stands out as a key strength. In terms of cinematography, the film consistently showcases melancholic coastal vistas and carefully composed frames that contribute to its atmosphere. The editing is often praised for its sensitivity, and the production design supports the seaside setting. Overall, the art direction anchors the film’s tone with its evocative imagery.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    Character portrayals form the film’s emotional backbone. When it comes to acting, Jennifer Garner and Maika Monroe deliver nuanced and committed performances, capturing familial tension and individual disintegration. The dialogue affords moments of quiet depth, and the ensemble dynamics reveal authentic chemistry. Thus, the character work effectively anchors the dramatic stakes even amid narrative flaws.

  • Story & Flow 50

    The narrative exhibits uneven pacing and structural gaps. In terms of plot coherence, critics note a sequence of intense incidents—arguments, overdoses—that lack cohesive build-up. The storyline offers occasional poetic resonance through its themes of division and resilience, but the flow feels truncated and aimless at points. Overall, the story struggles to sustain engagement despite its thematic potential.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    The film’s sensory design contributes strongly to its mood. When it comes to soundtrack, the romantic musical cues enhance the coastal atmosphere, and the sound design remains unobtrusive. Visually, the color palette and camera work support a melancholic tone, creating an immersive West Coast setting. In sum, the sensory elements enrich the viewing experience with subtle cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    The movie’s rewatch appeal is limited by its heavy subject matter and uneven narrative. Regarding replay value, the slow-burning structure and emotionally draining family drama may deter repeat viewing. While moments of striking performance and evocative scenery encourage revisiting, the overall tenor and pacing reduce lasting appeal. Consequently, rewatch interest remains modest.

Plot

The Tribes of Palos Verdes Plot Summary

What happens in The Tribes of Palos Verdes from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Phil (Justin Kirk) and Sandy Mason (Jennifer Garner) represent the quintessential American family who have made a significant transition, bringing their teenage twins, Medina (Maika Monroe) and Jim (Cody Fern), to the scenic Palos Verdes. Yet, beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect life resides a tangled web of insecurities and contradictions. Sandy, often seen in her soft pink bathrobe, grapples with adapting to their new environment, while Phil revels in the local social scene, his carefree demeanor often contrasting sharply with Sandy’s more introverted nature.

Full summary

The whole story of The Tribes of Palos Verdes, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Tribes of Palos Verdes Box Office

The Tribes of Palos Verdes grossed $11,603 worldwide.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$11.6K

US & Canada
$11.6K
Videos

The Tribes of Palos Verdes Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Tribes of Palos Verdes.

The Tribes of Palos Verdes - Official Trailer l HD l IFC Films
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Tribes of Palos Verdes?

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 the name of the character who struggles with the adjustment to her new surroundings?

Cars

Cars in The Tribes of Palos Verdes

16 cars on screen, including the 2009 Ford F-150 and the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse A207.

All 16 cars
  • 2009 Ford F-150 in The Tribes of Palos Verdes 2009 Ford F-150 Important role
  • 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse A207 in The Tribes of Palos Verdes 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse A207 Important role
  • 1983 Volvo DL in The Tribes of Palos Verdes 1983 Volvo DL Important role
  • 2005 Volvo V70 in The Tribes of Palos Verdes 2005 Volvo V70 Important role
Details

The Tribes of Palos Verdes Also Known As

15 alternative titles, including “트라이브 오브 팔로스 버디스” and “Waves”.

Also known as
  • 트라이브 오브 팔로스 버디스
  • Waves
  • 帕洛斯弗迪斯的部落
  • Племената от Палос Вердес
  • Mi vida en Palos Verdes
  • As Tribos de Palos Verdes
  • 帕洛斯佛迪市中的部落
  • Долина грешников
  • Otthonom Palos Verdes
  • Племена Палос Вердес
  • Plemiona Palos Verdes
  • Las tribus de Palos Verdes
+3 more
  • שבטי פאלוס ורדס
  • I giorni di Palo Verde
  • La meva vida a Palos Verdes

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FAQ

The Tribes of Palos Verdes FAQ: Cast & Box Office

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

How long is The Tribes of Palos Verdes?

The Tribes of Palos Verdes runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was The Tribes of Palos Verdes released?

The Tribes of Palos Verdes was released on December 1, 2017.

Who directed The Tribes of Palos Verdes?

The Tribes of Palos Verdes was directed by Emmett Malloy and Brendan Malloy.

More films by Emmett Malloy

Who is in the cast of The Tribes of Palos Verdes?

The Tribes of Palos Verdes stars Maika Monroe as Medina, Jennifer Garner as Sandy and Justin Kirk as Phil, among 15 credited actors.

How much did The Tribes of Palos Verdes make at the box office?

The Tribes of Palos Verdes grossed $11,603 worldwide.

How is The Tribes of Palos Verdes rated?

The Tribes of Palos Verdes has 5.9/10 on IMDb, 68% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic and 54% on TMDB.

Does The Tribes of Palos Verdes have a post-credit scene?

No. The Tribes of Palos Verdes has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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