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Finding Joe

Finding Joe

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." —Joseph Campbell

201180 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 71st percentile of all films
Director
Patrick Takaya Solomon
Starring
Tony Hawk, Catherine Hardwicke, Rashida Jones, Deepak Chopra

Finding Joe is an exploration of the studies of mythologist Joseph Campbell, and of their continuing influence on our culture. Through interviews with visionaries from a variety of fields—interwoven with enactments of classic tales by a sweet and motley group of kids—the film navigates the stages of what Campbell dubbed "the hero’s journey": the challenges, the fears, the dragons, the battles, and the return home as a changed person.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Finding Joe?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Finding Joe streaming on Food Matters TV via Prime Video and Gaia via Prime Video and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Finding Joe?

Finding Joe earns 2 badges, led by Guilty pleasure and Rousing.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Finding Joe worth watching?

Finding Joe's Midcredits score is the 71st percentile of all films, from 877 ratings across 5 sources. 72% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

71st percentile

Better received than 71% of films

38th percentile among Documentary71st percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)59th
Approval (how many liked it)81st

64 /100

59th percentile of all films

22nd percentile among Documentary59th percentile among 2010s

Critics 45 · Audience 66

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.4 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

72% liked it

81st percentile of all films

62nd percentile among Documentary82nd percentile among 2010s
72% rated it 7–1028% rated it 1–6

Critics 36% · Audience 82%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Reach

How many have seen it

43rd percentile

870 ratings across platforms

71st percentile among Documentary47th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$8.8K
Domestic gross$56K
Worldwide gross$56K

46th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a visually polished, message-driven documentary about Joseph Campbell's hero's journey concept, relying heavily on interviews and inspirational quotes.

Fans praised

  • Inspiring message of following your bliss and the hero's journey
  • Stunning cinematography and beautiful visual execution
  • Interviews with diverse range of interesting people

Detractors panned

  • Feels like a corny, infomercial-style self-help film
  • Redundant talking heads all saying the same thing with no dialogue
  • Narrow focus on white upper-class males, lacks depth on Campbell's work

What stands out

CinematographyDivisive65

Beautiful shots but some find it overdone or poorly shot

Emotional impactDivisive60

Inspiring to fans; feels hollow or preachy to detractors

Plot and story35

Loose structure around hero's journey stages

Sound and musicDivisive35

Soundtrack called excruciating or like an advertisement

OriginalityDivisive25

Derivative of Campbell's own work, feels like an infomercial

Watch experience

What is Finding Joe like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

No single mood: browse every movie of this kindNo one kind of watch fits it, so it is described by how heavy it is.

Watch this when you want something light and easy.

It takes its time and leaves you fired up. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Moods
ContemplativeWarmHopeful
Heaviest: throughout
Register
WarmSentimental · 8% of films
Told as
Episodic · 13% of films: Loosely connected incidents rather than one driving plot.
ToneA sincere, inspirational documentary that treats Campbell's teachings with reverence and embraces its uplift openly, even when the polished visuals edge toward a commercial look.
The rideA gentle, uplifting documentary that sustains a warm and contemplative inspirational register from start to finish.
StructureThe film is a thematic documentary assembling interview testimony, visual interludes and staged children's performances around the stages of Campbell's hero's journey, with no conventional narrative spine.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Fired up.

Rousing · 10% of filmsHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayAn uplifting celebration of the hero's journey that leaves viewers inspired and believing a more meaningful life is attainable.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22% (this title)

No archetype fits — true of 22% of films: ensemble pieces, satire, slice-of-life.

Why this archetypeThis is a non-narrative documentary essay on Joseph Campbell's ideas; no single story follows a conventional plot archetype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% (this title) · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Purpose · 9% of filmsIdentity · 14% of filmsHope · 5% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe film promotes Campbell's concept of 'follow your bliss'—finding personal purpose and self-realization through one's own journey.
StanceThe documentary celebrates the pursuit of purpose and personal fulfillment, presenting Campbell's ideas as universally applicable.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Isaac Sprintis
SettingVarious interview locations, likely urban studios or homes of contributors
MusicScore underpins the inspirational tone with sweeping, emotive melodies.

Cast and crew

Who is in Finding Joe?

Cast

Tony Hawk
as Self
Catherine Hardwicke
as Self
Rashida Jones
as Self
Deepak Chopra
as Self
Mick Fleetwood
as Self
Laird Hamilton
as Self
Akiva Goldsman
as Self
Gay Hendricks
as Self

Crew

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TMDB's suggestions for movies like Finding Joe include Back in Time (2015), Altman (2014) and I Know That Voice (2013).

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