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Brigsby Bear

  • 2017
  • PG-13
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
18K
YOUR RATING
Kyle Mooney in Brigsby Bear (2017)
Brigsby Bear Adventures is a children's TV show produced for an audience of one: James. When the show abruptly ends, James's life changes forever, and he sets out to finish the story himself.
Play trailer2:13
11 Videos
99+ Photos
Quirky ComedyComedyDrama

After being freed from his life in an underground bunker, a man sets out to make a movie of the only TV show he has ever known.After being freed from his life in an underground bunker, a man sets out to make a movie of the only TV show he has ever known.After being freed from his life in an underground bunker, a man sets out to make a movie of the only TV show he has ever known.

  • Director
    • Dave McCary
  • Writers
    • Kevin Costello
    • Kyle Mooney
  • Stars
    • Kyle Mooney
    • Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
    • Matt Walsh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    18K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Dave McCary
    • Writers
      • Kevin Costello
      • Kyle Mooney
    • Stars
      • Kyle Mooney
      • Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
      • Matt Walsh
    • 98User reviews
    • 147Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos11

    Featured Trailer
    Trailer 2:13
    Featured Trailer
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:37
    Teaser Trailer
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:37
    Teaser Trailer
    We Have Dreams
    Clip 1:22
    We Have Dreams
    Brigsby Bear
    Clip 1:22
    Brigsby Bear
    Brigsby Bear: Did They Ever Touch You?
    Clip 1:02
    Brigsby Bear: Did They Ever Touch You?
    Brigsby Bear: Forensic Evidence
    Clip 0:56
    Brigsby Bear: Forensic Evidence

    Photos132

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    + 126
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    Top cast44

    Edit
    Kyle Mooney
    Kyle Mooney
    • James
    Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
    Jorge Lendeborg Jr.
    • Spencer
    • (as Jorge Lendeborg)
    Matt Walsh
    Matt Walsh
    • Greg Pope
    Michaela Watkins
    Michaela Watkins
    • Louise Pope
    Claire Danes
    Claire Danes
    • Emily
    Ryan Simpkins
    Ryan Simpkins
    • Aubrey Pope
    Greg Kinnear
    Greg Kinnear
    • Detective Vogel
    Mark Hamill
    Mark Hamill
    • Ted
    Alexa Demie
    Alexa Demie
    • Merideth
    Beck Bennett
    Beck Bennett
    • Deputy Bander
    Chance Crimin
    • Logan
    Jane Adams
    Jane Adams
    • April
    Kate Lyn Sheil
    Kate Lyn Sheil
    • Arielle Smiles
    Andy Samberg
    Andy Samberg
    • Eric
    James Anthony Green
    • Police Officer
    Kim Fischer
    • Female Reporter
    Kelly Chapman
    • News Anchor
    • (as Kelly Chapman Putzke)
    Nicholas Rutherford
    Nicholas Rutherford
    • Excited Man
    • (as Nick Rutherford)
    • Director
      • Dave McCary
    • Writers
      • Kevin Costello
      • Kyle Mooney
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews98

    7.318.3K
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    Featured reviews

    10kjproulx

    A Film Lover's Dream

    I know that tastes can't change overnight, but it's a shame that audiences can't gravitate more to movies like this. Films like this are very rare, due to the fact that they'll hardly ever snag a major release by a large studio. Not to compare the two, but last year's release of Swiss Army Man was so unique and weird that I ate it up, and I felt the exact same way about this year's Brigsby Bear, which could very well end up being my absolute favorite film of the year. Unique films are a breath of fresh air, but not all of them are great, because the stories themselves may not explore enough to truly warrant award recognition. Although Brigsby Bear won't be winning any major awards this season, here is why it's a wonderful piece of cinema in my eyes.

    From first-time feature film writer Kyle Mooney and direct time feature film director Dave McCary, Brigsby Bear follows James Pope, a young man with a backstory that I can't reveal throughout this review, who has only ever seen one television show, called Brigsby Bear. When there aren't any more episodes coming out, he sets out on a mission with a few others to finish the show themselves. Becoming a filmmaker, gaining new friends, and learning many moving and comedic life lessons, this is a story worth showcasing to a very large audience. Unique, weird, and powerful all at once, this movie is elevated by a wonderfully sincere and comedic performance by Kyle Mooney as the lead.

    It's very rare that a comedian can be simultaneously funny and dramatic at the same time, making it truly seem that this is a real-world scenario unfolding on-screen. Not only did this story feel authentic to me, but it touched me on a personal level in terms of how there would definitely be people like this if certain situations were to present themselves to the world. Mooney is an actor that I believe many people should keep an eye on. Sure, his YouTube career is where he started and he's most known for his role on Saturday Night Live, but he's one of those rare performers that I believe will break out and become very famous in years to come.

    I truly believe that this is a flawless film for the story it's trying to convey. No film is perfect, but a film can be done perfectly when looked at a certain way, and I believe film lovers and even filmmakers themselves will be the ones who love this film the most. Original ideas are slim to none throughout mainstream media nowadays, but I dare you to come up with a premise like this throughout the past ten years. Yes, there are always similarities in every story, but when a film can surprise you even in its first act, it's something special.

    In the end, Brigsby Bear is a perfect little indie film for fans of cinema, well-written, well-directed, calmly scored with care, and wrapped in a nice little bow of uniqueness. I found myself wanting to rewatch this movie the second it concluded. Although short and to the point at a mere 97 minutes, there are many hidden elements that will elevate the movie even more upon second and third viewings. I'm sure the fact that it's so weird will turn some audiences away from fully enjoying it, but like I said, hardcore film lovers and filmmakers of any kind are truly the ones that will most likely love Brigsby Bear. This is easily one of the best films I've seen all year.
    8mikodc

    The Most Original Movie I've Seen in A While

    Brigsby Bear is one of the most creative and original movies I've seen.

    The performance by Kyle Mooney was great and it didn't feel like some SNL sketch kind of acting and story.

    It's also great to note that the supporting cast in this movie is also good not only for their acting but also purpose and relativity.
    9Obi_Bamm_Karaoke

    The Less You Know Going In, THE BETTER.

    Reviewing a film like "Brigsby Bear" is very difficult in the manner by which I review films because it is important to me to keep my reviews as spoiler-free as possible. That being said, understand that my take here will be at a "10,000-foot level," meaning that I have to tell you as little as possible about the film itself to keep its integrity intact.

    Kyle Mooney has written the script (along with Kevin Costello) and plays James Pope, who lives in the desert with Ted (Mark Hamill) and April (Jane Adams). He spends most of his time watching his favorite show, "Brigsby Bear," a children's program that has captured his imagination for his entire life. When the show is cancelled out of nowhere, James decides to take it upon himself to finish Brigsby's story.

    This is such a different kind of film that it was refreshing to me. Mooney, who is known in the current "SNL" cast for playing kooky, off- beat kinds of characters, channels those talents here and gives James a fun innocence that a character like this requires as the film progresses. His character's journey to fulfill his dream of closure and completion is well told in a way that hit me where I lived one moment, had me laughing out loud the next, and rooting for him in the moment after that. There is a great supporting cast here as well, but to talk too much about them will give away too much of the heart of this film.

    It truly is important to go into "Brigsby Bear" as cold as you possibly can, avoiding any Internet spoilers in any way, shape, or form in order to truly enjoy its story as a whole. Once you see it and enjoy it, also do everyone else a favor and let them experience it in the same spoiler-free manner that hopefully you did as well.
    10andyroo54

    Absolutely blew me away

    I'm still teary from the last few minutes of the movie, did not think it would be this emotional.

    Kyle Mooney is so incredibly subtle with his acting that if you haven't seen much of his previous work, I'm positive most of the parts I was laughing out loud at, you would probably be wondering what was so funny. He is a fantastic character actor and he really pulls off a new subtle character in James, which is kind of an amalgamation of his most well known characters from his Youtube skit days, perhaps a little more naive than normal.

    There wasn't a weak actor in the entire film, but besides Mooney I would give special praise to Mark Hamill, although he only has a few scenes on camera, his presence is felt throughout the entire movie, through his voicing of Brigsby etc. I actually thought Hamill was better used here than in "The Last Jedi"..

    I'm not much of a critic, I can't summarise exactly what I loved about the movie very well. I will say though that the movie is superbly bitter sweet, mostly sweet, endearing and charming. And of course, absolutely hilarious, but as above, you may need either repeat viewings or be an already established fan of Mooneys work.

    Finally want to mention Dave McCary. Dave and Kyle are the perfect pairing. I absolutely loved their Youtube skits and even that amazing Instagram series they made (it's called the "D and K podcast", look it up). For his first feature length film, there is no way you would be able to tell. The movie is very well directed, I tend to pay attention to how a movie is shot, put together etc, but with this it was always characters first, which I think is a great strength.

    This movie is inspirational. I can't wait to see what these guys come up with next.
    8danielcooperclark

    Hits All The Right Notes

    The initial releases - theater and home combined - grossed about $700,000 worldwide. The producers aren't telling what the budget was. Who knows if the revenue covered the production cost. But it sure didn't come close to the $5 million Sony pitched in to distribute it. Maybe they're hoping that over time it'll become a cult classic online.

    I hope so too. The film deserves success. It's a spirited paean of praise to the transformative power of art and imagination. Of course the "plausibles," as Hitchcock called them, don't warm up to it. But for those willing to be carried along by a vibrant and positive vision, told with a quiet sense of humor, Brigsby Bear hits all the right notes.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Following the world premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2017 at the Eccles theatre during the Q&A, the cast were asked what attracted them to the project. Mark Hamill talked about how much he liked the script and the originality of the story, but also joked: 'Also, I actually had lines. You know, that's always a bonus for me'. This is a reference to the fact that all of his lines were cut from Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015).
    • Quotes

      [In unison, at the dinner table]

      James Pope: May our minds be stronger tomorrow.

      Ted Mitchum: May our minds be stronger tomorrow.

      April Mitchum: May our minds be stronger tomorrow.

      [They each shake hands]

    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Queen Latifah/Kyle Mooney/Portugal. The Man (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      It's Brigsby Bear (Opening Theme)
      Written by Kyle Mooney and Dave McCary

      Performed by Scott Oatley

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    FAQ

    • How long is Brigsby Bear?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 21, 2017 (Australia)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • China
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El oso Brigsby
    • Filming locations
      • Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
    • Production companies
      • 3311 Productions
      • YL Pictures
      • Lord Miller
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $532,669
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $39,652
      • Jul 30, 2017
    • Gross worldwide
      • $681,632
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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