7/10 Movie

The Fabelmans

Spielberg turns the camera on himself with mixed results

2022 151 min Drama

The Fabelmans is a beautiful story about how cinema helps us see truth. Michelle Williams and Paul Dano anchor the film with restrained, honest work. It's a solid watch if you want something introspective, though at 151 minutes it occasionally feels like it needs trimming.

Harry Siegmund 2 min read

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 151 min
Country: US, IN
Min. Age: 12+
Year: 2022
Type: Movie

Main Cast

Michelle Williams

(Mitzi Fabelman)

Paul Dano

(Burt Fabelman)

Seth Rogen

(Benny Loewy)

Gabriel LaBelle

(Sammy Fabelman)

Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord

(Younger Sammy Fabelman)

Keeley Karsten

(Natalie Fabelman)

Steven Spielberg made a personal film about a young man discovering filmmaking in post-World War II Arizona, and it mostly works. Sammy Fabelman's journey from hobbyist to artist drives the story, but what gives it weight is watching him realize that cameras can expose family secrets he wishes stayed buried. The film trusts you to understand loneliness without spelling it out. That's respectable.

Michelle Williams carries the weight of the family's fractures without ever raising her voice. You watch her face as she understands what her son is seeing through the lens, and that silent moment does more than any confrontation scene could. Paul Dano moves through the film as a man slowly being revealed as flawed, and he doesn't try to make you forgive him. Gabriel LaBelle has the harder job, playing a teenager caught between observation and participation, and he handles it without the overwrought teen-angst clichés that sink so many coming-of-age stories.

Spielberg shoots this with genuine restraint. The Arizona landscapes are present but not showy. The family drama unfolds without manufactured conflict. My one reservation: the film meanders in its second half. You sense Spielberg working through material that feels more therapeutic than dramatically urgent. Some scenes linger longer than they need to, and the pacing sags occasionally.

What stays with me is how the film actually respects the mess of family. Nobody learns a lesson. Nobody gives a speech about growth. Sammy just keeps filming because that's what he does, and sometimes that's all cinema can offer: a way to look closer at things that terrify you.

Key Facts

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Year: 2022
Runtime: 151 min
Country: US, IN
Content Rating: PG-13 (12+)
Harry's Rating: 7 / 10
Main Cast: Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Gabriel LaBelle, Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord, Keeley Karsten, Alina Brace

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Trivia & Fun Facts

Steven Spielberg based the film on his own childhood in Arizona and his early passion for filmmaking
Gabriel LaBelle plays Sammy Fabelman, a character inspired by young Spielberg himself during his formative years
The film marks a rare instance of Spielberg making a deeply personal project centered on his own coming-of-age story rather than adapting existing material

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Fabelmans worth watching?

If you appreciate character work and introspective storytelling, yes. It's a lovely film about discovering your voice through cinema. Just know it moves slowly and runs long, so it's not for everyone.

What is The Fabelmans about?

A young man named Sammy grows up in post-World War II Arizona with a passion for filmmaking. As he matures, he begins to uncover painful family truths and learns how the camera can reveal what people want to hide. The film follows his journey toward understanding both his family and himself through cinema.

Who stars in The Fabelmans?

Gabriel LaBelle plays Sammy Fabelman, with Michelle Williams as his mother and Paul Dano as his father. Seth Rogen also appears in the cast, alongside Mateo Zoryan Francis-DeFord, Keeley Karsten, and Alina Brace.

Is The Fabelmans based on a true story?

The film is inspired by Steven Spielberg's own childhood and his early experiences with filmmaking, making it semi-autobiographical in nature.

Where can I watch The Fabelmans?

The Fabelmans is available on various streaming platforms and through digital rental services. It is also available on physical media including Blu-ray and DVD.

How long is The Fabelmans?

The film runs 151 minutes, which is 2 hours and 31 minutes.

Harry's Rating 7 / 10

Harry's Closing Curtain

The Fabelmans is a reflective character study that works best if you are patient with its pace and interested in how people use art to process family trauma. It is not flashy or designed to impress. The performances are grounded, and the camera work stays out of the way. Worth seeing if introspection appeals to you.