The Big Sick
The Big Sick Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Movie Overview: The Big Sick
| Movie | The Big Sick |
| Release Year | 2017 |
| Director | Michael Showalter |
| Genre | Comedy / Drama / Romance |
| Runtime | 120 minutes (2h 0m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Big Sick (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in The Big Sick are led by Kumail Nanjiani . The supporting cast, including Zoe Kazan and Holly Hunter , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Big Sick stands out as a strong entry in the Comedy genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Comedy narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, The Big Sick has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: The Big Sick
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, The Big Sick is a Comedy, Drama, Romance film directed by Michael Showalter, written by Emily V. Gordon. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kumail Nanjiani as Kumail Nanjiani.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family's expectations, and his true feelings. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The Big Sick's opening establishes the comedic tone through Kumail Nanjiani as Kumail Nanjiani's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that Michael Showalter layers throughout.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Kumail Nanjiani's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Kumail Nanjiani's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Solid execution of genre conventions
- Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
- Competent performances from the cast
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Some narrative choices that feel predictable
- Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act
Ending Explained: The Big Sick
The Big Sick Ending Explained: Directed by Michael Showalter, The Big Sick resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core comedy themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving Kumail Nanjiani. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
- Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the comedy themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of The Big Sick reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Big Sick?
Age Advisory: Rated R — not suitable for younger viewers.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Kumail Nanjiani or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Big Sick
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $5.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $56.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Big Sick Budget
The estimated production budget for The Big Sick is $5.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Where to Watch The Big Sick Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
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Google Play Movies
YouTube🏷️ Buy on
Google Play MoviesYouTubeThe Big Sick Parents Guide & Age Rating
2017 AdvisoryWondering about The Big Sick age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Big Sick (2017) is 120 minutes (2h 0m). Directed by Michael Showalter, the film runs for 120 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.3/10, and global performance metrics, The Big Sick is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Big Sick worth watching?
The Big Sick is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.3/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Big Sick parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Big Sick identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Big Sick (2017)?
The runtime of The Big Sick (2017) is 120 minutes (approximately 2h 0m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
