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Resurrection

Resurrection

It's not supposed to happen. Be there when it does.

1980103 minPGMidcredits score: 80th percentile of all films
Director
Daniel Petrie
Starring
Ellen Burstyn, Sam Shepard, Richard Farnsworth, Roberts Blossom

The story of a woman who survives the car accident which kills her husband, but discovers that she has the power to heal other people. She becomes an unwitting celebrity, the hope of those in desperate need of healing, and a lightning rod for religious beliefs and skeptics.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Resurrection?

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

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Resurrection?

Resurrection earns 9 badges, led by Universally Loved and Standout acting.

Show 1 more
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Cast

Reception

Is Resurrection worth watching?

Resurrection's Midcredits score is the 80th percentile of all films, from 5.5K ratings across 4 sources. 74% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

80th percentile

Better received than 80% of films

82nd percentile among Drama81st percentile among 1980s
Acclaim (how much people like it)73rd
Approval (how many liked it)84th

68 /100

73rd percentile of all films

76th percentile among Drama76th percentile among 1980s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.5 — solid but not unanimous.

74% liked it

84th percentile of all films

85th percentile among Drama84th percentile among 1980s
74% rated it 7–1026% rated it 1–6

Critics 83% · Audience 75%

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

Awards

0 Oscars won · 2 Oscar noms · 2 wins / 8 noms overall

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

60th percentile

5.5K ratings across platforms

62nd percentile among Drama55th percentile among 1980s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$6M
Opening weekend$308K
Domestic gross$3.9M
Worldwide gross$3.9M

Returned 0.7× its budget — 76th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film centers on Ellen Burstyn's healing character, with both fans and detractors acknowledging her strong performance and the film's emotional ambitions, even if they disagree on its success.

Fans praised

  • Ellen Burstyn's career-best, multidimensional lead performance
  • Powerful emotional impact and inspirational story
  • Strong supporting cast, especially Eva Le Gallienne and Richard Farnsworth

Detractors panned

  • Weak script and clunky dialogue
  • Underdeveloped supporting characters and unexplained plot points
  • Overwrought and slow pacing

What stands out

ActingDivisive90

Burstyn's tour-de-force, praised as one of the best by many; detractors find it uneven but generally strong

Emotional impactDivisive80

Deeply moving for fans, leaving many in tears; detractors unmoved

EndingDivisive70

Emotional and satisfying for fans, confusing for detractors

OriginalityDivisive70

Unique blend of faith, healing, and character study

Plot and storyDivisive65

Interesting premise but flawed logic and slow pacing

CharactersDivisive60

Well-written protagonist but underdeveloped supporting roles

DialogueDivisive55

Some memorable lines but often stilted and preachy

PacingDivisive50

Slow, contemplative but occasionally draggy

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 13 points higher than men.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 31 points higher than critics.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 38 points higher than non-US viewers.

Watch experience

What is Resurrection like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Moving and uplifting: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want to be moved and come out lifted.

It takes its time and leaves you hopeful. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

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

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moving and uplifting.

Moods
MelancholicHopeful
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Tender · 13% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film takes its subject seriously with an earnest, heartfelt approach, never winking at the audience.
The rideThe film maintains a gentle, often sad register with moments of warmth, and its emotional payoff arrives in the final healing scene.
StructureThe story unfolds linearly from accident, to discovery of powers, to conflict and resolution in the desert.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Hopeful.

The answer rests on this: HopefulThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves you uplifted by Edna's continued willingness to heal, while also prompting reflection on faith and love.
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).RebirthHealing
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% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

13% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeEdna's near-death experience transforms her into a healer; the story follows her recovery and the consequences of her gift.

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 filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · 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%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · 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% (this title) · 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%

Bonds

Family bondsRedemption · 6% of films: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Faith · 3% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film centers on Edna's strained relationships with her father and lover, and how her healing gift challenges her family ties and religious beliefs.
StanceThe film affirms Edna's gift of healing and love as a positive force, despite opposition from those around her.

The world

ContemporaryRuralInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernSupportive music · original score · Maurice Jarre
SettingTexas small town and university
MusicMaurice Jarre's score underlines the tender, spiritual dimension of Edna's gift.

Content guide

Is Resurrection okay for kids?

PG

Resurrection is rated PG. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at mild (25/100), language at mild (17/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (17/100) and frightening material at moderate (50/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Overall
Mild · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Profanity
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (2 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (12 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

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 Resurrection have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Resurrection?

Cast

Ellen Burstyn
as Edna
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Actress in a Leading RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Sam Shepard
as Cal
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Richard Farnsworth
as Esco
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Roberts Blossom
as John Harper
Clifford David
as George
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Pamela Payton-Wright
as Margaret
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jeffrey DeMunn
as Joe
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Eva Le Gallienne
as Grandma Pearl
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Lois Smith
as Kathy
Madeleine Sherwood
as Ruth

Crew

Directed by

Daniel Petrie

Written by

Lewis John Carlino

Cinematography

Mario Tosi

Edited by

Rita Roland

Music by

Maurice Jarre

Produced by

Howard RosenmanRenée Missel

More like this

What are movies like Resurrection?

Movies like Resurrection include The Judge (2014), Miracles from Heaven (2016) and The Mustang (2019). Of the 12 closest matches, most are stories about estranged parents and children, and several are stories of healing.

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

10 of these 12 share its praise for acting. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

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

1.7K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: parent and child estranged. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.