The Tribes of Palos Verdes

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The Tribes of Palos Verdes

R

2017

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

When the Mason family moves to idyllic Palos Verdes, Calif., the father, Phil, loves it but the mother, Sandy, feels out of place among the fake tans and tennis skirts. Phil and Sandy's daughter, Medina, is a loner and outcast at school, while her charismatic brother, Jim, is effortlessly popular. When Medina and Jim take up surfing, they must prove their right to share the waves with the tough Bayboys gang that monopolizes their stretch of beach.

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Critics Consensus

The Tribes of Palos Verdes serves up a minor -- albeit alluringly atmospheric -- variation on the coming-of-age story, led by a strong performance from Maika Monroe.

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Emily Yoshida

New York Magazine/Vulture

Aug 13, 2018

It's a gorgeous-looking, sensitively edited film to be sure, but never finds a dramatic foothold, no matter how many manic arguments and drug overdoses it throws our way.

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Matthew Lickona

San Diego Reader

Dec 15, 2017

1/5

What's the point of white privilege if it doesn't protect you from disaster and despair?

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Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

Dec 7, 2017

The directors get some melancholic atmosphere out of their visuals but don't have the scene sense to build their actors' committed performances into compelling through-lines of seaside personality disintegration.

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Cate Marquis

AWFJ.org

Nov 4, 2021

Maika Monroe and Cody Fern make The Tribes of Palos Verdes the success it is. Utilizing a diarylike narration the film is a slow burn through the downward spiral of one family's West Coast transition.

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Betsy Bozdech

AWFJ.org

Nov 4, 2021

Both actresses delve deeply into their roles, helping to create a drama that's often achingly sad but also relatable...

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aug 30, 2021

2.5/4

The dynamics at play are genuine, even if the movie does take at least one melodramatic turn too many.

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Keith B

@Okbullard Oct 5, 2026

It was pretty well done but there was so much drama heaped on top of more drama. The acting was excellent though.

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Carole S

@Carole140 Dec 7, 2025

The film as a whole probably appeals to youth, but to an adult is boring. However Jennifer Garner is amazing. She really lets loose and she has amazing range. You never see this side of her ability in the things she usually does, but it was really impressive.

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Tereza T

@RT74415894 Jan 3, 2025

It's interesting and surprising to see all these mixed reviews. I found the movie enjoyable from start to finish, the two kids imo being the best actors on the movie. The music, camera, I found it enchanting. Jennifer garner was good, but the kids and their relationship held the movie together.

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Nov 22, 2023

Garner is excellent with her mental disorder poured on top of a narcassistic husband that wants to move to Cali to do more surgeries. Twin kids struggle as their parents fall apart and they find themselves surfing.

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Marcelo V

@MarceloBezerra Apr 9, 2023

Filme triste e real. Jennifer Garner perfeita

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Aug 1, 2022

Encapsulated Teen Angst Via The Many Avoidance Methods A Beachside Suburb Holds. Just Because You Have Paradise On Your Doorstep, Does Not Mean Modern Day Problems Disappear. Establishes Quite Well The Idea Of How Disconnected People Can Be When They're All Trying To Escape.

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Emmett Malloy

Director

Brendan Malloy

Director

Jennifer Garner

Sandy Mason

Maika Monroe

Medina Mason

Cody Fern

Jim

Noah Silver

Adrian

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Synopsis

When the Mason family moves to idyllic Palos Verdes, Calif., the father, Phil, loves it but the mother, Sandy, feels out of place among the fake tans and tennis skirts. Phil and Sandy's daughter, Medina, is a loner and outcast at school, while her charismatic brother, Jim, is effortlessly popular. When Medina and Jim take up surfing, they must prove their right to share the waves with the tough Bayboys gang that monopolizes their stretch of beach.

Director: Emmett Malloy, Brendan Malloy
Producer: Robbie Brenner, Karen Croner
Screenwriter: Karen Croner, Joy Nicholson
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Truth Entertainment (II), Relativity Media, The Firm, The Mark Gordon Company
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language Throughout|Drug Use)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.7K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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