Falling (2020)

Viggo Mortensen's deeply personal directorial debut explores the fractured bond between a gay man and his aging, bigoted father in a raw, unflinching drama.

Falling - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Falling
  • Release Year: 2020
  • Directed by: Viggo Mortensen
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama
  • Runtime: 1h 52m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English, French
  • Release Date (Theatrical): October 2, 2020 (Spain), December 4, 2020 (United Kingdom), December 3, 2020 (Germany - 12), May 19, 2021 (France - U), August 26, 2021 (Italy)
  • Alternative Titles: Un hombre solo (MX), Falling (FR), Jeszcze Jest Czas (PL), Un hombre solo (ES)
  • Production Companies: Scythia Films, Perceval Pictures, HanWay Films, Zephyr Films, Ingenious Media
  • Production Countries: Canada, United Kingdom, United States of America

Falling - Plot

John Peterson lives with his partner Eric and their adopted daughter in Southern California. When he is visited by his aging father Willis from Los Angeles who is searching for a place to retire, their two very different worlds collide.

Falling - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the emotional collision at the heart of the film:

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Falling - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Viggo Mortensen

Main Cast

  • Lance Henriksen
  • Viggo Mortensen
  • Terry Chen
  • Sverrir Gudnason
  • Hannah Gross
  • Laura Linney
  • Carina Battrick
  • Ava Kozelj
  • Gabby Velis
  • Bracken Burns

Writers

  • Viggo Mortensen

Producers

  • Daniel Bekerman
  • Viggo Mortensen
  • Chris Curling

Falling - FAQs

Who plays Willis in Falling (2020)?

Veteran character actor Lance Henriksen plays Willis, the aging, cantankerous father at the center of the film. His performance earned widespread critical praise for its raw intensity and emotional complexity, widely regarded as one of the finest of his long career.

What is Falling (2020) about?

Falling follows John Peterson, a gay man living in Southern California with his partner Eric and their adopted daughter. When his elderly father Willis visits from the countryside in search of a retirement home, their clashing worldviews — shaped by homophobia, trauma, and unresolved family history — erupt into painful confrontation.

Where can I stream Falling (2020)?

Falling (2020) is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and The Roku Channel. It can also be watched for free with ads on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, Fandango at Home Free, and Plex. Additionally, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home.

Who directed and wrote Falling (2020)?

Falling marks the feature directorial debut of Viggo Mortensen, who also wrote the screenplay, composed the film's score, and stars as John Peterson. The deeply personal project drew on Mortensen's own experiences with family dynamics and generational conflict.

Is Falling based on a true story?

Falling is not based on a specific true story, but Viggo Mortensen has acknowledged that the film draws heavily from personal experience and emotional memory. The father-son conflict, the rural-versus-urban divide, and the themes of homophobia and aging reflect deeply autobiographical influences rather than a documented real-life account.

When was Falling (2020) released?

Falling had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 31, 2020. It was subsequently released in Spain on October 2, 2020, in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2020, in Germany on December 3, 2020, in France on May 19, 2021, and in Italy on August 26, 2021.

How long is Falling (2020)?

Falling has a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes (112 minutes). The film's measured pace allows the emotional weight of the father-son relationship to build gradually, giving both Lance Henriksen and Viggo Mortensen ample space to develop their complex, conflicted characters.

What are similar films to Falling (2020)?

If you enjoyed Falling, you may also appreciate Transamerica (2005), The Cakemaker (2017), and What Did You Eat Yesterday? New Year's Special 2020 — all of which explore identity, family, and belonging. Requiem for a Dream (2000) and Bend It Like Beckham (2002) also share themes of generational conflict and personal struggle.

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