Fences

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2:26

Fences

PG-13

2016

2h 13m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

271 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Troy Maxson makes his living as a sanitation worker in the 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's chance to meet a college football recruiter.

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Critics Consensus

From its reunited Broadway stars to its screenplay, the solidly crafted Fences finds its Pulitzer-winning source material fundamentally unchanged -- and still just as powerful.

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Anne Thompson

IndieWire

Mar 31, 2020

Davis went big...debuting film actor Jovan Adepo shines...

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Kristen Lopez

Culturess

Nov 20, 2017

Fences is one of the most prescient movies out now.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Mar 22, 2017

A+

The performances by each of its six main characters... combined with Washington's gripping direction (inciting a mix of terror, madness, and pity), FENCES is simply extraordinary. It is not to be missed.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Oct 13, 2024

5/5

“Fences,” directed by Denzel Washington, is one of the finest and most seamless examples of the power of performance being translated from the stage to the screen.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 20, 2022

4.5/5

“Fences” is lively and vibrant yet aching and tragic. The cast’s rapport carries over beautifully from stage to screen, and their handling of August Wilson’s characters comes from an understanding far deeper that simple familiarity.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Apr 5, 2022

3/4

It's impossible to watch and not be moved.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Aug 17, 2026

Fences is a powerful and deeply emotional film, and putting Viola Davis and Denzel Washington together creates an absolutely captivating experience. Their performances carry so much weight that you aren’t simply watching the story unfold. You feel the tension, frustration, anger, love, and pain alongside these characters. Viola Davis is phenomenal. She brings incredible emotion to every scene, especially as her character navigates years of hurt, disappointment, and complicated relationships. Denzel Washington is equally remarkable. He completely commands the screen, bringing intensity, complexity, and authenticity to a deeply flawed character. The screenplay is another major strength. The movie is dialogue-heavy, but the writing gives every conversation purpose. Each exchange reveals more about the characters, their history, and the emotional battles within the family. Nothing feels rushed, allowing the story and performances to breathe.

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mark G

@Mark_Alan_G. Aug 6, 2026

If in fact Denzel Washington believed he deserved the best actor award over Casey Affleck for this film, give me some of what he is smoking. This film was pretentious in every sense of the word.

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Trevor E

@TrevLikesFilms May 24, 2026

I love Denzel. But I’m sorry this movie was horrible. I expected there to be more change of scenery, action.. definitely a whole lot less talking. It was like 3 or 4 big arguments then the movie was over. Like what did I just watch? lol

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Rich L.

@Richard810 Apr 29, 2026

So powerful and moving

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Joseph N

@RT25774525 Mar 31, 2026

The complexity on what it means to be a better person and to identify those that struggle to find themselves is rooted in the complexity of Denzel’s acting which was top notch. 10/10 movie

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Tamika M

@RT78519020 Dec 1, 2025

I was a bit skeptical about watching but my husband convinces me last year to watch it and I am so moved by it. You cannot watch it and not feel something.

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Denzel Washington

Director

Denzel Washington

Troy Maxson

Viola Davis

Rose Maxson

Stephen Henderson

Jim Bono

Jovan Adepo

Cory

Russell Hornsby

Lyons

Fences: Official Clip - Alberta Had the Baby

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Fences: Official Clip - Troy's Victory

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Synopsis

Troy Maxson makes his living as a sanitation worker in the 1950s Pittsburgh. Maxson once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, but was deemed too old when the major leagues began admitting black athletes. Bitter over his missed opportunity, Troy creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son's chance to meet a college football recruiter.

Director: Denzel Washington
Producer: Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington, Todd Black
Screenwriter: August Wilson
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Sony Classical, Scott Rudin Productions
Rating: PG-13 (Some Suggestive References|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 24, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $57.6M
Runtime: 2h 13m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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