Downhill

A Riveting Look at Narcissism in Relationships – Downhill Delivers Downhill, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell, is an emotionally charged film that goes far beyond its darkly comedic premise. While it may not be a typical laugh-out-loud comedy, the depth of the performances and the psychological layers make it an exceptional exploration of relationships, trauma, and gaslighting. The acting is phenomenal. Julia Louis-Dreyfus gives a nuanced, gut-wrenching performance as a woman coming to grips with the realization that her husband, played by Will Ferrell, will never truly show up for her or their family. Ferrell’s portrayal of a self-absorbed, emotionally evasive husband is disturbingly accurate—anyone who has experienced a relationship with a narcissist will recognize the chilling authenticity of his character. The pivotal moment in the film—when the family is sitting on the restaurant deck, and an avalanche crashes down—perfectly encapsulates his character’s selfishness. As danger looms, he runs off, abandoning his wife and children in a moment of sheer panic. But instead of owning up to his actions, he later rewrites the story, insisting that he thought they were safe and left to get help—a classic example of gaslighting. This dynamic is painfully realistic, showing how a narcissist will distort reality rather than take responsibility for their actions. What makes Downhill so powerful is its refusal to give the audience easy answers. The film doesn’t force its characters into redemption arcs that wouldn’t be true to life. Instead, it holds up a mirror to relationships that are built on one-sided emotional labor, where one partner is constantly forced to rationalize and minimize the harm caused by the other. For those who have lived through this kind of experience, Downhill may feel uncomfortably familiar. But that’s what makes it such a compelling watch—it tells the truth. The emotional unraveling is subtle, yet devastating, and the performances make it all the more gripping. If you’re looking for a film that digs into the complexities of human behavior with brilliant acting and sharp, understated storytelling, Downhill is well worth your time.

I don’t understand the negative reviews. Anyone who’s been disappointed with a partner, or tried to make family life work with a flawed partner, and who isn’t flawed, can relate or at least appreciate this heartbreaking story. And even if you can’t, the acting is superb and worth the watch. With few slow moments, the downhill momentum of the situation progresses in a way that is predictable but not dull and not without hope.

This is a wonderful and thought-provoking movie. The scenery couldn’t have been any better. This is a movie for people who have a keen sense of humor and of significant drama that unfolds. It’s not a car crash, guns-a-blazing kind of movie, thankfully. When watching this movie there are nuances and of kindness and calmness juxtaposed to intense feelings of disbelief and enragement. I love Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. They really get you thinking, feeling, and reexamining the relationship from both sides.

Ok, I’ll be honest, I’m currently watching the movie, about 11 minutes in and I’m already thinking, “Will, if there’s avalanche, leave her behind. Take the gift you have been given and make a run for it.”

Ratings are on par. Just bad all around. Too slow to follow.

The movie was marketed as comedy with two of comedy's biggest names. In reality the movie was a sad drama about a falling marriage. Laughs were few and far between. Not a movie I would recommend.

I really liked this movie. The avalanche destroyed their marriage because the guy abandoned his wife and kids to die. It turned out to be nothing, but the damage was done. The husband felt so guilty for doing it and they both tried to figure out if they could replace their partner, but ended up deciding to stay together with the wife staging an injury to try to repair the damage between the kids and their Dad. At the very end of the movie the husband pushes his wife out of the way of snow falling off the roof instinctually to protect her and it repairs their relationship. I thought the movie was beautiful. It was a bit boring in the middle though.

Loved it. Very realistic portrayal of marriage. Really good from start to finish tension and laughter brilliant acting sad and heart-warming.

This could have been great with a little fine tuning, still effectively uncomfortable though.

Someone seriously deserves to be flogged for this travesty. First, it's a needless remake of an INFINITELY superior 2014 Euorpean film called FORCE MAJEURE, which I absolutely loved. Second, how is it humanly possible to put Ferrell and Louis-Dreyfus, two of the funniest people on the planet, in the same movie where neither of them are provided a single inspired moment together or separately? It boggles the mind! The original source material beautifully melds dark comedy and intense drama that becomes almost hypnotic to watch. This is basically a below average CW sitcom rip-off that retains not a single shred of the pathos or heartache of its predecessor. I'm shocked that anyone in this cast would have wanted to do this movie after reading the script. Shockingly the two stars have zero chemistry and appear as though they can't stand the sight of one another, even in their happy scenes together. I was shocked by the banality of this endeavor. I'm all for a good dramedy - but when the movie is neither dramatic or funny, well, we've got a problem, Apollo! If you have a few hours with nothing to do, watch this back to back with FORCE MAJEURE and witness for yourself how the same material can be so drastically different in terms of quality and execution.