User reviews

Acting at every age level in this film is exceptional from C.K. Simmons on down. Cute kids offset the struggles of their parents in this story. Tender couples scenes and family moments help soften the extreme regrets and personal isolation depicted to have resulted from alcoholism. There is no happy, heroic rehabilitation shown here. But the human foils and frailties are worth watching.

Greetings again from the darkness. So many are haunted by the past - unable to move beyond either having been dealt a bad hand or having created one through their own actions. The film opens on a gaunt Steve (JK Simmons), alone in his apartment, and seemingly barely functioning. He is contemplating suicide with a shiny gun he keeps on a coffee table in a home as unkempt as himself. His only breaks are to frantically search the house for another bottle of vodka, or to listen to a phone message that kicks off yet another painful memory.

The film features three timelines for Steve: the despondent, suicidal elder; the twenties and thirties version (Sebastian Stan); and the 1960's childhood Stevie (Iain Armitage, "Young Sheldon"). Those young years for Stevie recall his always-annoyed mom (Mandy Moore) and his fun-loving dad (Max Greenfield), while the young adult years show us his romance and marriage with Karen (Maika Monroe). It's not long before we recognize the common thread that binds the timelines: alcoholism. First his dad's, then his own.

Our memories tend to return in moments and flashes of events. This becomes more evident and the memories less reliable when years of alcohol abuse are in play. The flashes include the courtroom and judge of his parents' divorce, his dad drinking, his own courting of Karen and the booze that accompanied it, the dissolution of his own marriage, and an unspeakable tragedy that ruined his life without taking it ... something he is looking to remedy with that gun.

JK Simmons is remarkable here. His Steve is mired in loneliness, depression, guilt, and regrets - each amplified through booze. Simmons' performance offers up not a single line of dialogue. He never leaves the apartment. He never has human interaction. Yet despite all of this, he never leaves our thoughts as he pinballs through his memories. Mr. Stan and Ms. Monroe provide the most telling scene outside of Simmons' segments. Notice the difference in demeanor as he tells her he heard the shot when his dad killed himself vs how she states her mother died from cancer. This is the contrast of moving on no matter what life serves up, or being burdened with that weight forever.

The film was directed by Mr. Simmons' wife Michelle Schumacher, and she co-wrote the screenplay with Tony Cummings (son of Emmy winning actor Robert Cummings). Mr. Cummings also appears as the judge in the divorce hearing. The film was originally shown in 2017, but is only now getting released. For fans of JK Simmons, it's a must see.

I have to agree, in the beginning I kept thinking this movie is too slow (but now I have to see what happens). All of you leave reviews like you're writers, don't expect intelligent review comments here lol. I just want to know If the ending is implying the fate of Trevor was changed ? Or did Steven die and see him in heaven. I don't get it. King of made me think of Frequency and how their contact changed everything so that's why my mind went that way.

What I liked about this film: the acting was excellent, very evocative of the emotions of the situations being shown.

But I'm not sure what exactly happened in certain scenes. I guess we're supposed to assume the details don't really matter or that he's so drunk he can't remember or doesn't want to remember. The ending is what confused me the most. Was he imagining something that he wished had happened, or just felt better knowing that's what he would do if he could?

I suppose this film will appeal to people who had alcoholics in their family. I didn't, so unfortunately, it was a bit too confusing for me.

I'm Not Here is a movie that follows the lead character Steve throughout three time periods of his life in a journey through the affects that alcoholism has on a family and the alcoholic. JK Simmons plays the older version of Steve and gives a fantastic performance of an aging alcoholic without saying a single word in the entire movie. But his performance is also part of the movie's weaknesses. Too much time is spent of his older years where Sebastian Stan as a younger adult version and Ian Armitage as the child version of Steve carry the film. Seeing their interactions with his parents and later his wife and child carry the emotional weight of the film. It could have easily been a great picture if more was focused on those time periods. As the picture is, it still is a good film that makes you think of your choices throughout life.

I'll be blunt, like some others I'm not a big fan of this movie. Too slow paced, made me struggle to stay awake, and to be honest not that of a great story, or just a story that has been done before. An alcoholic looking back on his life and on what went wrong at some point, struggling with commiting suicide or not, it could have been something but in the end it's just an average movie. J.K. Simmons has the easiest role in his career as he doesn't say one word during the entire movie, he just have to look sorry and sad and doesn't have to remember one single line. I don't say the acting was bad, but it's just not a movie I will remember. In a couple days I will have forgotten everything about this movie.

J. K. Simmons: as with most of his work - fantastic. The lack of lines showed once again, he's a proper actor. His theater experience shines bright in a role like this. Also, as his wife was the director, I can't imagine him not putting everything he had into it.

The child actors were also fantastic. Both of them added a needed dynamic to their family structures, that was both beautiful and heartbreaking - in equal measure.

I felt like I was watching a play. The structure, scenes, dialogue - everything. However, I usually thoroughly enjoy the theater. With this, it unfortunately fell a bit flat for me.

The majority of time, it felt like a smattering of clichés, which at times can be a smidge boring for the viewer. If you've read or seen enough storylines, it's usually been done before.....which many of this has been.

At other times, it had a bit of a therapy read or diary of a director feel. Hey, that's ok, just a little heads up before a mini trauma-dump would be cool.

There were certainly opportunities to get creative (example; using extremely bright color pops/schemes during the earlier childhood flashbacks, then gradually fade as the dynamic began to deteriorate), but perhaps the flat dialogue meshed better with the coinciding dialogue.

With all that being said, I don't agree with some of the professional reviews. They sounded almost personally offended by the movie, which is comical. It wasn't THAT bad.

Was it a bit cliché? Yes. Could it have been a pinch more creative? Yes, I believe so. Was it perhaps a personal passion project? Probably. Do I regret watching it? No.

I believe it was Ms. Schumacher's directorial debut, so I'm choosing to give her some grace. I don't expect anyone to be perfect on their first try at anything.

Despite not speaking a word of dialogue, JK Simmons did alright here in his portrayal of an alcoholic 60 year old. Simmons' character Stevie is a loner, quite Ill, and spends the 70 minutes reconciling through traumatic childhood and adulthood memories.

While the movie is meant to be macabre and somber, I really didn't feel any sympathy for the character nor was I intrigued by the actual movie. Plus the ending was ambiguous.

A better directing job could have elevated this film. There's far too many movies that explore mental health issues or familial trauma - this one was not worth the time.

I'm Not Here is a somber, introspective drama that explores themes of grief, regret, and the passage of time. J. K. Simmons delivers a deeply emotional performance as a man haunted by his past, portraying pain and isolation with remarkable subtlety. The film's nonlinear storytelling, weaving between past and present, adds depth to the narrative but at times feels disjointed, making it difficult to fully connect with the characters.

The cinematography and atmosphere effectively enhance the film's melancholic tone, and there are moments of genuine emotional weight. However, the pacing can be slow, and some scenes feel repetitive, making it a film that requires patience. The story's message about personal responsibility and redemption is thought-provoking, yet the execution lacks the impact needed to make it truly memorable.

I'm Not Here is a film with strong performances and a heartfelt story, but it struggles with its structure and pacing. While it won't resonate with everyone, those who appreciate slow-burning character studies may find something meaningful in its quiet reflection on life's choices.

Sorry to say this, but this is something unfinished, even the duration of the films 1 h 21 min nowadays looks like a short film to me. This movie is something a group of students could do, except getting famous actors who unfortunaltely do not show any good acting skills here due to poor directing. Characters and the story is lacking deeper development.

As a mature adult male, I saw so many parallels to my own life/loves/mistakes/regrets that it was hard to watch at some points. But isn't that what good films can do? Take you so deep into the character (J.K.Simmons is great!) that you feel their pain. A must see for anyone who's ever made a mistake in their life and felt alone.

This is a very slow drama with an ending that will need some reflection, so if you don't like that this is not your movie.

Overall, being 100% honest, this movie is 3/5 (or 5/10 if you will). It's a good story, it has a great cast, and it leaves you thinking at the end. Seriously tho, J. K. Simmons deserves a standing ovation for his performance, it was magnificent.

This movie really touched me, it's very emotional though I think it's an unfinished work! This is very disappointing an hour and a quarter isn't enough :(

"Funny story, I once got paid for sitting around in my pants, and I didn't have to say anything either!"

I wonder if that's a story J.K Simmons will ever tell his grandkids?!

I am just mesmerized by this film. I have longed for a production such as this. It requires participation and thought. I caught myself reflecting on my own life and the people who made me who I am .. that being a 62 yr old mother/grandmother and professional accountant having spent my entire life surrounded by active and recovering alcoholics, born to a depressed mother who resented the hand she was dealt. It's no coincidence that I endure both afflictions myself.

J. K. Simmons' performance was stunning and his silence was necessary. The actors who spoke for the six year old Stevie and the young adult Steve spoke the words that everyone wanted and needed to hear. The elder Steve was burdened to FEEL the consequences... which we are often left to do when we live in the past as he did.

I absolutely love the ending! I have my own take on that and keeping it to myself.

All of the actors deserve standing ovations and Bravo to the music and sound design too!! Searching for playlist next!!

Excellent story showing struggles of an old drunk man who fights his addiction all his life, slowly ruining it till he's left alone. The storyline is short and filled with really touching moments. Definitely recommend.

This film was a thinker. You have to make yourself think, and when you think you know what will happen, you are wrong. You wish you weren't, but sadly, you were wrong. Great film. JK Simmons was epic, and he didn't have to say anything. He just emoted through his role, and I felt for him -- hook, line and sinker. Sebastian Stan is good, sells us his 'version' of Steve, and we pay it. Iain Armitage is wondrous as Little Stevie, and is the future of Hollywood.

J.k.simons are the old man in this pretty heartbreaking, and spiritual filmmaking, and doing that without uttering one word through the whole film. its kind of final countdown ,and an alltime high on reminiscence with flashback that every elderly person goes through without remorse either the memories are good or bad,they will always turn up.

the flashback of childhood and young adulthood are the real booster of this drama, and the acting are great all over the castline,but especially the childactors are good. the settings and timewise production design make everything believable. the score are just a sound in the background,but when the feature songs comes it is so darn perfect..the filmography are great, and the changing between light and dark, at times nearly black to colour are brilliantly done. slowpaced yes, but try to unwrap yourself from it , thats a difficult task...

the grumpy old man,who are experiencing similar experiences of life like the main character, does recommend this, and with 8 to 10 stars awarded

Excellent cast. Excellent acting. Simmons' performance is very touching and it astounding, so is Sebastian's. Honestly, Sebastian absolutely took me away with his talent. The movie really makes you think about your own actions and how everything affects everything. Definitely would watch it again

This is a beautiful, sad and haunting movie. And although I cried like a baby I would recommend to every one to see.

I don't really know why it has got 6.1, it's a great emotional movie, Sebastian Stan and J. K Simons are great, too! Why 6.1?