The Public

Play trailer

2:31

The Public

PG-13

2019

1h 59m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

96 Reviews

39%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Its intentions are sometimes easier to appreciate than its execution, but The Public remains an earnest and reasonably engaging social advocacy drama.

Read Critics Reviews

Peter Rainer

FilmWeek (LAist)

09/15/2020

It's heart is in the right place in many ways, but it just outlines everything so clearly in red marker that it doesn't let you discovers things for yourself. Still, it's an estimable effort in some ways.

Go to Full Review

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

02/24/2020

2/5

That everything ends on a weird happy-clappy high is indicative of a scattershot project that could have done with less ambition, more focus.

Go to Full Review

Linda Marric

The Jewish Chronicle

02/21/2020

2/5

The Public presents a heartening story of triumph of good over evil, but sadly lacks the gravitas one would usually expect from these types of stories.

Go to Full Review

JD Duran

InSession Film

08/19/2024

A

It's filled with strong, relevant messages while still being fun and watchable.

Go to Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

08/18/2022

2.5/5

When you combine The Public’s penchant for cheap sentiment and its social advocacy message, you get the equivalent of cinematic social conscience fluffernutter that is spread too thin.

Go to Full Review

Greg Wetherall

NME (New Musical Express)

06/14/2021

3/5

Emilio Estevez tackles blinkered bureaucrats in this high-minded social advocacy drama.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Laura S

@lorakeet Dec 1

This is one of the few films I went to see by myself. Because I saw an interview with Estevez on Chicago Tonight, where he talked about his research for the film. I wasn't disappointed -- I loved it and have recommended to many.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 May 27

What were you all thinking?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Deepest Bluest Suede Darius Dick Stinger Apini Emanuel Grouch Nukem III AKA The Rumble AKA Jennyanyany McPoopface Bridgerton AKA The Count of Monte Fisto

@RT91120088 Apr 5

An unhoused gentleman? What are you talking about zere iz no such thing.

See more

Alex S

@RT69492969 05/22/2024

an honest film about unhoused gentlemen who need a place to go besides outside of a 7/eleven

See more

Brave S

@RT31866717 05/22/2024

Emilio Estevez? More like Emilio Should Stop Directing.

See more

Andy B

@RT57201143 08/05/2023

Love this movie so much on so many levels... a truly 'feel good' i have watched more than once.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Emilio Estevez

Director

Alec Baldwin

Detective Bill Ramstead

Emilio Estevez

Stuart Goodson

Jena Malone

Myra

Taylor Schilling

Angela

Christian Slater

Josh Davis

The Sisterhood of Night

81%

65%

The Sisterhood of Night

Watchlist

Rosie

94%

76%

Rosie

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Rosie

The Vessel

67%

43%

The Vessel

Watchlist

Aardvark

8%

35%

Aardvark

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Aardvark

Wildlife

94%

71%

Wildlife

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Wildlife

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Shazam! Is Certified Fresh

The Public: Trailer 1

2:31

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.

Director: Emilio Estevez
Producer: Lisa Niedenthal, Alex Lebovici, Steve Ponce, Emilio Estevez
Screenwriter: Emilio Estevez
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: E2 Films, Cedarvale Pictures, Hammerstone Studios
Rating: PG-13 (Nudity|Language|Some Suggestive Content|Thematic Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $571.2K
Runtime: 1h 59m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now