The Discovery

The Discovery

Directed by Charlie McDowell

Produced by Protagonist Pictures, Endgame Entertainment

2017102 min6.3 / 10

A philosophically dense, melancholic exploration of mortality and meaning set in an isolated compound where the proof of an afterlife has fractured human certainty.

In the near future, due to a breakthrough scientific discovery by Dr. Thomas Harbor, there is now definitive proof of an afterlife. While countless people have chosen suicide to reset their existence, others try to decide what it all means. Among them is Dr. Harbor's son Will, who has arrived at his father's isolated compound with a mysterious young woman named Isla. There, they discover the strange acolytes who help Dr. Harbor with his experiments.

Where to watch

Questions people ask

  • Is The Discovery sad? Yes, very. More sad than 96% of films.

  • Is The Discovery one of a kind? Yes, very. More singular than 93% of films.

  • Is The Discovery scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 72% of films.

  • Does The Discovery end with hope? Not especially. Less hopeful than 70% of films.

  • Is The Discovery easy watching? Not especially. Less comforting than 61% of films.

  • Is The Discovery violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

55/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

Familiar shape, done well.

Rarity93

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise45

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love35

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Everything like The Discovery, and what each one shares →

Like The Discovery

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as The Discovery

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like The Discovery, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like The Discovery, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like The Discovery, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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