The Descendants (2011)
A father navigates family secrets and an uncertain future with wry humor and deep melancholy.
With his wife Elizabeth on life support after a boating accident, Hawaiian land baron Matt King takes his daughters on a trip from Oahu to Kauai to confront a young real estate broker, who was having an affair with Elizabeth before her misfortune.
How intense is The Descendants?
The Descendants has no gore and no real violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch and a date-night pick. The humor runs dry. Rated R.
What The Descendants feels like
- Tone
- melancholyintimatedarkly comicearnest
- Pace
- Measured
- Humor
- dry and witty
- Best for
- Full attentionDate night
Where to stream The Descendants
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 14, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is The Descendants for you?
Is The Descendants scary?
No. The Descendants is not a scary watch (scare level 0 of 3).
Is The Descendants gory or violent?
No gore (0 of 3) and no real violence (0 of 3). Squeamish viewers are fine here.
Is The Descendants sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is The Descendants OK for kids?
It is rated R, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 0, gore 0, violence 0, each out of 3.
How long is The Descendants?
The Descendants runs 1h 55m.
Where can I stream The Descendants?
The Descendants is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does The Descendants have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
Bittersweet. It earns its ending, but not everyone gets what they want.
Cast and crew
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