
Fences
2016 · Movie · PG-13 · 139 min · ★ 6.9 · 86% critics
Set in 1950s Pittsburgh, the story follows a frustrated father facing poverty, racism, and his own inner struggles as he tries to raise his family. As tensions build within the household, their attempts to hold things together are tested by hard choices and emotional pressure.
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Details
- Years
- 2016
- Release date
- 2016-12-16
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 139 min
- Max quality
- UHD
- Critic score
- 86/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.9/10 (2,811 votes)
- Box office
- $64,414,761
- Budget
- $24,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy Fences if you want an intense, talk-driven family drama with strong performances in a 1950s setting; Not for you if you dislike slow, stage-like dialogue-heavy stories or prefer more action-forward films like The Great Debaters or Selma.
Pros: powerhouse acting; authentic family drama; engaging dialogue | Cons: slow, talk-heavy pacing; repetitive stage-like feel; melodrama can drag
Themes
- garbageman
- war veteran
- baseball
- father
- based on play or musical
- family relationships
- racism
- pittsburgh, pennsylvania
- life story
- father son relationship
- sentimental
- intense
- +1 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 2017
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 2017 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 2017 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 2017 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 2017 · nominated
Cast & crew

Denzel Washington
as Troy Maxson

Viola Davis
as Rose Maxson

Stephen McKinley Henderson
as Jim Bono

Jovan Adepo
as Cory Maxson

Russell Hornsby
as Lyons Maxson

Mykelti Williamson
as Gabriel Maxson

Saniyya Sidney
as Raynell Maxson

Lesley Boone
as Evangelist Preacher

Christopher Mele
as Deputy Commissioner
- JS
Jason Silvis
as Garbage Truck Driver
Directed by Denzel Washington