Windfall (2022): Cast, Ratings, Ending & Where to Watch
Windfall is a 2022 drama thriller directed by Charlie McDowell, starring Jesse Plemons as CEO, Lily Collins and Jason Segel. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes. Critics gave it 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Stream it on Netflix.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Charlie McDowell
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Windfall About?
The premise of Windfall without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A wealthy couple’s relaxing vacation is disrupted when they discover a thief has broken into their secluded home. As the thief makes demands, tensions escalate, and the couple finds themselves in a dangerous situation where they must confront uncomfortable truths about their own lives and the nature of their relationship. The encounter tests their trust and security, leading to a suspenseful and unpredictable confrontation.
Windfall Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- vacation
- criminal
- thief
- young
- money
- rolex watch
- cartier watch
- orange
- sunglasses
- impalement
- minimal cast
- single setting
+38 more Show fewer
- suspense
- 2020s
- one word title
- hitchcockian
- neo noir
- f word
- profanity
- reference to mr. miyagi
- reference to the karate kid
- reference to dean martin
- reference to matt helm
- billionaire
- husband wife relationship
- robber
- orange tree
- bag of money
- class differences
- close up of eyes
- close up of feet
- montage
- tied feet
- hands tied
- tied to a chair
- escalation
- beard
- man with no name
- woman with no name
- home invasion
- vacation home
- gardener
- man with a ponytail
- drawing
- escape attempt
- tattoo
- marital problem
- woman kills a man
- beating
- beaten to death
Where to Watch Windfall
Stream it on Netflix. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
Stream 2
Windfall Cast & Characters
Jesse Plemons leads the cast as CEO, with Lily Collins as Wife and Jason Segel as Nobody. Directed by Charlie McDowell; 4 actors are credited in all.
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Director Charlie McDowell
-
Jesse Plemons as CEO -
Lily Collins as Wife -
Jason Segel as Nobody -
Omar Leyva as Gardener
Windfall Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Windfall 59% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 61/100, strongest in art & craft (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Windfall Echo Score Breakdown
Windfall garners a mixed consensus, balancing moments of stylistic flair with uneven storytelling. Critics note its polished production design and occasional strong performances, yet many point to a faltering third act and underdeveloped characters. User feedback mirrors this split, ranging from high praise for acting to strong criticism of plot and pacing. The net impression is that the film offers occasional intrigue but struggles to sustain engagement throughout its runtime.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 70
In terms of art and craft, the film displays a polished visual style and competent production design. Critics highlight the stylish direction and a brass‑heavy score that complement the noir aesthetic, while one user remarks on the wonderful cinematography. However, some reviews note a basic, stripped‑back approach that limits depth. Overall, the technical execution is solid and occasionally impressive.
- Character & Emotion 65
When evaluating character and emotion, performances receive both commendation and critique. Several reviewers praise the chemistry of the leads and note nuanced moments, especially in the Hitchcock‑style thriller comparison. Conversely, other critics describe the characters as ciphers hindered by expository dialogue. User comments echo this divide, with some highlighting engaging personalities and others calling the character work superficial. The acting thus lands in a moderately positive range.
- Story & Flow 55
The story and flow of Windfall are perceived as uneven. Critics observe a basic premise that stumbles in the third act, and some view the screenplay as a first‑draft effort lacking substantive development. User opinions vary, with a few lauding the twist’s impact while others label the plot predictable and boring. This mixture of structural strengths and pacing weaknesses results in a middling narrative assessment.
- Sensory Experience 60
Sensory experience receives a balanced appraisal. The film's score, described as brass‑heavy, is praised for its stylistic choice by some, yet others find the music overwrought and distracting. Visual elements such as cinematography are noted positively in user feedback, while critics acknowledge effective production design. The net sensory impression is competent, delivering occasional highlights without consistently enhancing tension.
- Rewatch Factor 55
Rewatch factor is modest, reflecting the film's mixed durability. Some reviewers argue that the ending and peculiar touches could encourage repeat viewings, whereas others point to the narrative’s predictability and uneven pacing as deterrents. User reactions range from labeling it a hidden gem to deeming it one of the worst viewed. Consequently, the film’s lasting appeal remains limited.
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IMDb 5.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 59% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 38%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 52 Metascore
User score 4.8
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 54% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.8 /5
12 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 2.8 /5
See on Movie Insider
Windfall Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Windfall from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
A wealthy CEO, portrayed by Jesse Plemons, and his wife, played by Lily Collins, arrive at their vacation home only to find themselves in the midst of a burglary. In a desperate attempt to resolve the situation discreetly, the CEO offers the intruder, depicted by Jason Segel, a sum of money in exchange for his silence, promising not to involve the authorities. However, things take a turn for the worse when the robber locks the couple in a sauna.
Full summary
The whole story of Windfall, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Windfall Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Windfall Q&A with Lily Collins & Charlie McDowell
How Well Do You Know Windfall?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What initially motivates the CEO to help the intruder?
Cars in Windfall
3 cars on screen, including the 1966 Ford Bronco and the 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera.
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1966 Ford Bronco Important role -
1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera Minor role -
Toyota Tacoma Minor role
Windfall Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Frutos del viento” and “Golpe de suerte”.
- Also known as
-
- Frutos del viento
- Golpe de suerte
- Visitas Inesperadas
- Contrecoups
- 윈드폴
- Внезапная удача
- Țintă ușoară
- Prezent od losu
- 運命のイタズラ
- Váratlan szerencse
- Kapky
- Sorte de Quem?
+9 more Show fewer
- 黄金屋
- Düşeş
- Vụ Đột Nhập Định Mệnh
- Corollaires
- Удача
- זורעים רוח
- 黃金屋
- بادآورده
- 意外之財
Seen Windfall?
Movies Like Windfall
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Windfall, Heist and Deadfall.
Windfall FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Windfall, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Windfall?
Windfall runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Windfall released?
Windfall was released on March 18, 2022.
Who directed Windfall?
Windfall was directed by Charlie McDowell.
More films by Charlie McDowell Who is in the cast of Windfall?
Windfall stars Jesse Plemons as CEO, Lily Collins as Wife and Jason Segel as Nobody, among 4 credited actors.
Where can I watch Windfall?
In the US, Windfall is streaming on Netflix (availability from JustWatch).
How is Windfall rated?
Windfall has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 54% on TMDB.
Does Windfall have a post-credit scene?
No. Windfall has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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