Anesthesia
People seek escape through self-medication in somber drama.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Anesthesia
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Anesthesia follows a diverse group of New Yorkers (played by the likes of Kristen Stewart, Glenn Close, Sam Waterston, and many more) who are all seeking to escape some kind of personal torment via drugs, alcohol, and other forms of self-medication. Several different storylines intersect, with their common theme being loneliness and isolation. Many scenes show people drinking, smoking pot, shooting heroin and more, and there's also a lot of swearing, including "f--k," "c--t," and more. Teens talk about having -- and then have -- sex, though there's no graphic nudity; other scenes include sexual talk/references as well. A man is attacked and left bleeding on the sidewalk.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Teens who smoke pot. An unhappy suburban housewife who drinks every night. A college-educated junkie. A college student who tries to drown the pain of her loneliness with self-inflicted wounds. Almost everyone in ANESTHESIA is seeking some kind of escape, as shown in several loosely connected storylines set in and around New York. The center of the film is Sam Waterston, as an about-to-retire college professor whose lectures about the nature of life serve as a framing device; they show that everyone has very different life experiences, but we all have similar feelings. The film co-stars Tim Blake Nelson (who also directed), Kristen Stewart, Glenn Close, Gretchen Mol, and Corey Stoll.
Is It Any Good?
This is a thought-provoking, if imperfect, ensemble drama that examines what tethers us to each other, no matter how different we are. The film holds viewers on its performances alone, with the always-excellent Waterston serving as the movie's heart and center. The dialogue is compelling -- except, perhaps, in scenes where two siblings sound more like the idea of sophisticated, swagger-filled New York teens than real ones -- and so are (most of) the setups and even the ending.
Still, it all feels a little diffuse, our attentions divided by too many storylines, too many characters. Cutting some of the storylines could have done away with some of the weaker plot points.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what the various characters in Anesthesia are seeking to escape. Which ones sink deeper into isolation, and which ones decide to stop running from their pain? What prompts people to attempt to make a switch? Do they succeed?
How does the movie portray drinking and drug use? Are they glamorized? Are there realistic consequences? Why do you think people turn to substances when they're in pain?
The film has many stories that intersect briefly, a structure that's more common in comedies and romance films. Does that format work as well for this more serious film? How does it compare to others that use the same framing device?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 8, 2016
- On DVD or streaming: May 3, 2016
- Cast: Sam Waterston, Corey Stoll, Kristen Stewart, Glenn Close, Gloria Reuben
- Director: Tim Blake Nelson
- Studio: IFC Films
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language, sexual content, drug use and brief violence
- Last updated: March 22, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Crash
Powerful look at racism, but too intense for kids.
-
Blue Jasmine
Smart, timely Woody Allen dramedy has drinking, pills.
-
Hannah and Her Sisters
Brilliant but mature comic-drama about an imperfect family.
For kids who love dramas
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate