The Farewell
The Farewell Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Movie Overview: The Farewell
| Movie | The Farewell |
| Release Year | 2019 |
| Director | Lulu Wang |
| Genre | Comedy / Drama |
| Runtime | 100 minutes (1h 40m) |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Farewell (2019) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.4/10. 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 Farewell are led by Awkwafina . The supporting cast, including Zhao Shuzhen and Hong Lu , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
The Farewell 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 Farewell 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 Farewell
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2019, The Farewell is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Lulu Wang, written by Lulu Wang. 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 Awkwafina as Billi.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is given a terminal diagnosis. Billi struggles with her family's decision to keep grandma in the dark about her own illness as they all stage an impromptu wedding to see grandma one last time. 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 Farewell's opening establishes the comedic tone through Awkwafina as Billi's interactions, introducing the central conflict with humor and character quirks that Lulu Wang layers throughout.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Awkwafina's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together the recurring threads, with Awkwafina's storyline wrapping up predictably but entertainingly.
Ending Explained: The Farewell
The Farewell Ending Explained: Directed by Lulu Wang, The Farewell 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 Awkwafina. 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 Farewell reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch The Farewell?
Age Advisory: Rated PG.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Awkwafina or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: The Farewell
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $250.3K |
| Worldwide Gross | $23.1M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Farewell Budget
The estimated production budget for The Farewell is $250.3K. 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 Farewell Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoThe Farewell Parents Guide & Age Rating
2019 AdvisoryWondering about The Farewell age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Farewell (2019) is 100 minutes (1h 40m). Directed by Lulu Wang, the film runs for 100 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.4/10, and global performance metrics, The Farewell is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2019 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Farewell worth watching?
The Farewell is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.4/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Farewell parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Farewell identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of The Farewell (2019)?
The runtime of The Farewell (2019) is 100 minutes (approximately 1h 40m).
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.
