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Mank

Mank

2020131 minRMidcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Director
David Fincher
Starring
Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Arliss Howard

1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Mank?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Mank streaming on Netflix.

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Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Mank?

Mank earns 11 badges, led by Visual feast and Standout acting.

Show 3 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content

Reception

Is Mank worth watching?

Mank's Midcredits score is the 75th percentile of all films, from 335K ratings across 6 sources. 69% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

75th percentile

Better received than 75% of films

60th percentile among Biography76th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)71st
Approval (how many liked it)77th

67 /100

71st percentile of all films

56th percentile among Biography70th percentile among 2020s

Critics 79 · Audience 66

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

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

69% liked it

77th percentile of all films

61st percentile among Biography78th percentile among 2020s
69% rated it 7–1031% rated it 1–6

Critics 83% · Audience 63%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 17 wins / 81 noms overall

98th percentile

335K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Biography98th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 45% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$25M

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a technically beautiful, loving homage to old Hollywood and the making of Citizen Kane, with a slow, talky, and convoluted narrative that demands prior knowledge of the era.

Fans praised

  • Gorgeous black-and-white cinematography that evokes 1940s Hollywood
  • Gary Oldman's fully embodied performance as Herman Mankiewicz
  • Witty, period-authentic dialogue that crackles

Detractors panned

  • Dull, sluggish pacing that drags the story
  • Narrative incoherence and confusing flashback structure
  • Unsympathetic, drunk protagonist with weak character development

What stands out

CinematographyDivisive90

Stunning black-and-white; faithfully recreates 1930s/40s look

ActingDivisive85

Gary Oldman's tour-de-force as Mank; Seyfried, Dance, Burke all praised

AtmosphereDivisive85

Deeply immersive 1930s Hollywood world-building

DialogueDivisive80

Sharp, clever, period-perfect banter, sometimes overwritten

CharactersDivisive45

Static protagonist, underdeveloped supporting figures, hard to care about

Plot and storyDivisive40

Meandering, unfocused story with too many tangents

Originality35

Derivative of Citizen Kane's style and Kael's debunked theory

PacingDivisive30

Leisurely to the point of boredom; flashbacks kill momentum

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 16 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 14 points higher than users.

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

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 2 points apart
  • US vs non-US 9 points apart

Watch experience

What is Mank like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Food for thought: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you can give it your full attention, and you want something to think about afterwards.

It takes its time, has a few laughs and leaves you thinking. Skip it when you can only half-watch or you want things to move fast.

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

What it asks of you

Your full attention and patience.

What it feels like

Food for thought.

Moods
ContemplativeBittersweetMelancholicDread
Heaviest: late
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Wry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Told as
Nonlinear · 6% of films: Events shown out of chronological order.Frame story · 5% of films: A story told inside another — someone is recounting it.
ToneThe film approaches its subject with gravity and respect, allowing Mank's sharp wit to surface without undercutting the sincerity.
The rideThe mood is largely reflective with a growing sense of regret and bitterness that culminates in the writing of Citizen Kane.
StructureThe story is told through a series of flashbacks from Mank's time writing the script in 1940 to his earlier years in Hollywood, framed by his bedridden work.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Thinking.

The answer rests on this: Thought-provokingBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film lingers on the moral compromises of Hollywood and the cost of creating a masterpiece, leaving a mix of admiration and melancholy.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet 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 archetypeThe film is a character study and biographical drama, not structured around a classic plot archetype; it follows Mankiewicz's life and the writing of Citizen Kane.

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 filmsSelfCorruption
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7% (this title): Power 2% · Corruption 3% (this title) · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · 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% (this title) · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Power

Corruption · 3% of filmsTruth · 4% of filmsRedemption · 6% of films: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film examines how political and corporate power corrupts idealism, and the personal cost of confronting that corruption through art.
StanceThe film mourns the corruption of idealism and the cost of artistic integrity within a powerful industry.

The world

Mid 20th centuryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernJazzSupportive music · original score
SettingHollywood and Hearst's circle during the Great Depression

Content guide

Is Mank okay for kids?

R

Mank is rated R: “Rated R for some language” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (21/100), sexual content at mild (28/100), language at moderate (46/100), drug and alcohol content at intense (67/100) and frightening material at mild (23/100). Overall it is heavier than 9% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 22 other countries
  • UK12A
  • CanadaPG
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland15A
  • JapanPG12
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Argentina16
  • Denmark7
  • FinlandK-7
  • Hungary16
  • ItalyVM14
  • MexicoC
  • NorwayA
  • Poland16
  • PortugalM/14
  • SingaporeNC16
  • Spain12
  • Sweden7
  • TürkiyeR
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 35% of all filmsHeavier than 9% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 7%
Sex & Nudity
Mild
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 21%
Profanity
Moderate
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 18%
Alcohol & Drugs
Intense
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 86%
Frightening / Intense
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 11%

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

The reason to think twice is drug and alcohol content. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

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 Mank have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Mank?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Gary Oldman
as Herman Mankiewicz
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Amanda Seyfried
as Marion Davies
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Lily Collins
as Rita Alexander
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Arliss Howard
as Louis B. Mayer
Tom Pelphrey
as Joe Mankiewicz
Sam Troughton
as John Houseman
Ferdinand Kingsley
as Irving Thalberg
Tuppence Middleton
as Sara Mankiewicz
Tom Burke
as Orson Welles
Joseph Cross
as Charles Lederer

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Mank?

Movies like Mank include Trumbo (2015), The Highwaymen (2019) and The Social Network (2010). Of the 12 closest matches, several are biopics, and most are films set in the 1930s.

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

David Fincher directed 3 of these 12. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Mank?

1.7K other films share the rarest tag below, up against: tycoon. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.