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Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Looking for Mr. Goodbar

To her father, Theresa was a dutiful daughter. To the children she taught, Theresa brought warmth and hope. To the men she met in bars, Theresa was easy. All kinds of people loved Theresa. Diane Keaton plays Theresa in Looking for Mr. Goodbar.

1977136 minRMidcredits score: 71st percentile of all films
Director
Richard Brooks
Starring
Diane Keaton, Tuesday Weld, William Atherton, Richard Kiley

A short, unhappy affair with a married man leads a dedicated schoolteacher into the alcohol-and-drug fueled underworld of singles’ bars, where she begins to engage in a pattern of dangerous sexual activity.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Looking for Mr. Goodbar?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Looking for Mr. Goodbar to rent or buy on Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Looking for Mr. Goodbar?

Looking for Mr. Goodbar earns 6 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Seriously scary.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is Looking for Mr. Goodbar worth watching?

Looking for Mr. Goodbar's Midcredits score is the 71st percentile of all films, from 23K ratings across 6 sources. 62% 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

73rd percentile among Drama72nd percentile among 1970s
Acclaim (how much people like it)71st
Approval (how many liked it)68th

67 /100

71st percentile of all films

74th percentile among Drama72nd percentile among 1970s

Critics 64 · Audience 68

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.8 — solid but not unanimous.

62% liked it

68th percentile of all films

70th percentile among Drama70th percentile among 1970s
62% rated it 7–1038% rated it 1–6

Critics 63% · Audience 73%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 2 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 6 noms overall

  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Actress in a Supporting Role
  • NominatedAcademy Awards· Best Cinematography

Reach

How many have seen it

84th percentile

23K ratings across platforms

87th percentile among Drama89th percentile among 1970s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 30% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$1.5M
Domestic gross$23M
Worldwide gross$23M

90th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a grim, disturbing, and dated but powerful time capsule of the dark side of 1970s sexual liberation, anchored by Diane Keaton's committed performance.

Fans praised

  • Diane Keaton's fearless, transformative central performance
  • Raw, unflinching portrait of 1970s singles-bar culture and sexual liberation
  • Shocking, unforgettable ending that lingers long after viewing

Detractors panned

  • Overlong runtime with repetitive, meandering narrative
  • Muddled, reactionary moralizing that punishes female sexual independence
  • One-dimensional male characters verging on caricature

What stands out

ActingDivisive82

Keaton's career-redefining, vulnerable yet fierce lead performance; Weld's Oscar-nominated supporting turn; early Gere, Berenger also noted

EndingDivisive80

Brutal, unforgettable, and divisive; some see it as cheap shock, others as a masterpiece of bleak resolution

AtmosphereDivisive78

Suffocatingly grim, seedy, and immersive 1970s New York nightlife

TensionDivisive70

Creeping dread and inevitability; climax viscerally shocking

Emotional impactDivisive68

Devastating and haunting for those engaged; alienating for detractors

Plot and storyDivisive50

Episodic, repetitive structure with predictable descent; though based on true story

CharactersDivisive45

Complex lead heroine but uniformly unsympathetic, cartoonishly negative male characters

Pacing35

Too long and repetitive; Brooks needed tighter editing

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • Critics vs users 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Looking for Mr. Goodbar like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Harrowing: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for a hard story that does not look away.

It is intense and leaves you haunted. Skip it when you want an easy night.

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

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings.

What it feels like

Harrowing.

Moods
TenseMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Register
Bleak · 8% of filmsSolemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its subject with grave seriousness, never winking at its own grimness; it is a sincere cautionary tale.
The rideThe mood grows increasingly tense and despairing as Theresa's double life escalates, with the violent climax arriving near the end.
StructureThe story unfolds chronologically with occasional fantasy sequences; no experimental structure.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Haunted.

The answer rests on this: Haunting · 14% of filmsDevastating · 3% of films
Why it leaves you this wayThe bleak, violent conclusion and the film's grim portrayal of the singles scene leaves a lingering, disturbing impression.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic 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).Tragedy
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% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3% (this title)
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Crushed by fate: Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.

9% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeTheresa Dunn's descent into casual sex and drugs leads to a random, violent death, fitting the tragedy archetype where forces beyond her control crush her.

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 filmsSelfSelf-worth
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% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% (this title) · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · 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% (this title) · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% (this title) · 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% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Self-worth · 7% of filmsIsolation · 5% of filmsTrauma · 7% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeTheresa's childhood illness, family dynamics, and inability to feel valued outside fleeting encounters fuel a search for self-worth that repeatedly fails.
StanceThe film mourns Theresa's inability to find genuine self-worth and belonging, framing her trajectory as a tragedy born of isolation and emotional damage.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
PopJazzExperimentalSupportive music · hybrid · Artie Kane
SettingChicago suburbs and New York City in the 1970s, moving between family homes, singles bars, and a school for deaf children
MusicThe soundtrack weaves 1970s pop and disco into the bar scenes, underscoring the era's nightlife atmosphere.

Content guide

Is Looking for Mr. Goodbar okay for kids?

R

Looking for Mr. Goodbar is rated R. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (77/100), sexual content at intense (72/100), language at intense (68/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (77/100) and frightening material at severe (90/100). Overall it is heavier than 91% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 3 other countries
  • AustraliaR 18+
  • Germany18
  • South Korea19
Overall
Intense · all five categories
Heavier than 95% of all filmsHeavier than 91% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 61%
Sex & Nudity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 90%
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 53%
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 92%
Frightening / Intense
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 94%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: frightening material, violence, drug and alcohol content, sexual content, and language.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Looking for Mr. Goodbar have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Looking for Mr. Goodbar?

Cast

Diane Keaton
as Theresa Dunn
Globe nominee: Golden Globe nomination — Best Actress in a Motion Picture - DramaTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Tuesday Weld
as Katherine Dunn
William Atherton
as James
Richard Kiley
as Mr. Dunn
Richard Gere
as Tony
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Alan Feinstein
as Martin Engle
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Tom Berenger
as Gary
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Priscilla Pointer
as Mrs. Dunn
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Laurie Prange
as Brigid
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Joel Fabiani
as Barney
First film: No prior film role; they had worked in television.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Looking for Mr. Goodbar?

Movies like Looking for Mr. Goodbar include In Cold Blood (1967), The Pawnbroker (1964) and Out of the Blue (1980). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by Richard Brooks, and most are films that feel bleak.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

8 of these 12 share its world: New York. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Looking for Mr. Goodbar?

1.3K other films share the rarest tag below, follows: teacher. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.