Worth (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Worth is a 2021 biographical drama directed by Sara Colangelo, starring Talia Balsam as Dede Feinberg, Amy Ryan and Stanley Tucci. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $106,645 worldwide. Critics gave it 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 58m (118 min)
- Director
- Sara Colangelo
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Netflix
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Worth About?
The premise of Worth without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Following the 9/11 attacks, attorney Kenneth Feinberg is appointed to fairly distribute compensation funds to the victim’s families. He works alongside mediator Camille Biros, facing difficult ethical choices as he tries to balance legal processes with the immense grief of those affected. A poignant meeting with Charles Wolf, whose family suffered a terrible loss, profoundly impacts Feinberg, forcing him to deeply consider the emotional consequences of the tragedy and his role in helping the families heal.
Worth Themes & Keywords
· 26 tags- politics
- terrorist
- congress
- attack
- airline
- deal
- victim
- tragedy
- community
- world trade center manhattan new york city
- 2000s
- year 2001
+14 more Show fewer
- city
- reference to 9 11
- 9 11
- train
- focus
- work
- office
- september 11 2001
- husband wife relationship
- insurance
- accountability
- finance
- lawyer
- based on true story
Worth Cast & Characters
Talia Balsam leads the cast as Dede Feinberg, with Amy Ryan as Camille Biros and Stanley Tucci as Charles Wolf. Directed by Sara Colangelo; 15 actors are credited in all.
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Director Sara Colangelo
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Talia Balsam as Dede Feinberg -
Amy Ryan as Camille Biros -
Stanley Tucci as Charles Wolf -
Laura Benanti as Karen Donato
Also Starring in Worth
· 11 more- Chris Tardio Frank Donato
- Michael Keaton Ken Feinberg
- Tate Donovan Lee Quinn
- Victor Slezak John Ashcroft
- E.R. Ruiz
- Alfredo Narciso Defense Lawyer, William
- Wass Stevens
- Shunori Ramanathan Priya Khundi
- Carolyn Mignini Gloria Toms
- Ato Blankson-Wood Darryl Barnes
- Zuzanna Szadkowski
More from Sara Colangelo
One more film directed by Sara Colangelo: Little Accidents.
Worth Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Worth 81% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 62/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (45).
Worth Echo Score Breakdown
Worth delivers a thoughtful but uneven dramatization of the 9/11 compensation fund. The film benefits from Michael Keaton's nuanced performance and moments of sharp dialogue, yet the narrative often stalls under melodramatic clichés and a by‑the‑numbers script. Direction and visual choices provide occasional tension, but inconsistent pacing hampers sustained engagement. In sum, the movie offers a respectable yet flawed exploration of a complex subject, making it a modestly compelling watch for interested audiences.
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 direction shows a sincere approach, creating arresting tension in key scenes. Critics note effective use of close-ups that reveal subtle facial expressions, while some comment on the film’s workmanlike editing. Visual composition receives occasional praise, though the overall aesthetic remains restrained. Consequently, the technical execution is competent with occasional highlights, positioning it above average but not exceptional.
- Character & Emotion 85
When evaluating character and emotion, performances stand out as the film's primary strength. Michael Keaton and Stanley Tucci receive consistent commendation for depth and chemistry, delivering nuanced portrayals of complex individuals. Supporting actors are also described as in‑the‑moment, enhancing emotional resonance. Although the script limits character development, the acting elevates the material, resulting in a highly effective character experience.
- Story & Flow 45
The story and flow aspect receives the most criticism. Reviewers highlight a confusing structure, reliance on melodramatic tropes, and an over‑by‑the‑numbers script that dilutes momentum. Pacing issues and missed opportunities to clarify the compensation framework further weaken narrative cohesion. While the premise is compelling, execution falls short, leading to a lukewarm overall impression of the film’s storytelling.
- Sensory Experience 60
Sensory experience is moderately effective. The film employs focused camera work to emphasize internal states, and the visual palette is described as sober and appropriate for the subject. Sound design and score receive limited comment, suggesting they neither distract nor excel. Overall, the sensory elements support the narrative without achieving notable distinction.
- Rewatch Factor 50
Rewatch factor is modest. While the strong central performances and occasional insightful scenes make a second viewing worthwhile for some, the uneven pacing and melodramatic moments diminish lasting appeal. Viewers are advised that the film serves as a decent option among similar releases but lacks the momentum to encourage frequent revisits.
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IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 81% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 76%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 6.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
4 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.5 /5
See on Movie Insider
Worth Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Worth from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film begins with Kenneth Feinberg engaging his class at Columbia University, providing a thoughtful perspective on the legal system’s valuation of a person’s life. However, events take a drastic turn with the September 11 attacks, leading to Feinberg’s appointment as the Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. His law partner, Camille Biros, takes on the role of administrative deputy. In the wake of this tragedy, Feinberg devises a stringent formula for determining payout amounts based on each victim’s income. He faces pressure to secure the signatures of at least 80 percent of the 7,000 estimated victims; failure to do so would allow them to pursue lawsuits that they may ultimately lose, jeopardizing the airline industry and risking a financial crisis.
Full summary
The whole story of Worth, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Worth Box Office
Worth grossed $106,645 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$106.6K
- International
- $106.6K
Worth Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Worth.
How Well Do You Know Worth?
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
Who is the main character responsible for managing the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund?
Worth Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “911算命律師” and “Сколько стоит жизнь. [What Is Life Worth (2020)]”.
- Also known as
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- 911算命律師
- Сколько стоит жизнь. [What Is Life Worth (2020)]
- Worth - Was ist ein Leben wert?
- What Is Life Worth
- 워스
- Сколько стоит жизнь?
- Mennyit ér egy élet?
- Ile warte jest ludzkie życie?
- Jaká je cena života
- À quel prix ?
- Quanto Vale?
- 值得
+11 more Show fewer
- Hayatın Bedeli
- ¿Cuánto vale la vida?
- 生命理賠師
- Cu ce preţ?
- מחיר החיים
- Worth - Il patto
- Valor da Vida
- Der Fall 9/11
- Ціна життя
- ราคาคน
- Ihmisen hinta
Seen Worth?
Movies Like Worth
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Collateral Damages, The Path to 9/11 and Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing.
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Collateral Damages 2004 -
The Path to 9/11 2006 -
Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing 1997 -
Inside 9/11 2005 -
Out of the Clear Blue Sky 2013 -
World Trade Center 2006 -
9/11: The Day the World Stood Still 2025 -
A Man in Full 2024 -
DC 9/11: Time of Crisis 2003 -
7 Days in September 2002 -
Surviving 9/11 2021 -
Those Who Work 2018
Worth FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Worth, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Worth?
Worth runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).
When was Worth released?
Worth was released on September 3, 2021.
Who directed Worth?
Worth was directed by Sara Colangelo.
More films by Sara Colangelo Who is in the cast of Worth?
Worth stars Talia Balsam as Dede Feinberg, Amy Ryan as Camille Biros and Stanley Tucci as Charles Wolf, among 15 credited actors.
How much did Worth make at the box office?
Worth grossed $106,645 worldwide.
How is Worth rated?
Worth has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 67% on TMDB.
Does Worth have a post-credit scene?
No. Worth has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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