You Can Count on Me

Play trailer

You Can Count on Me

R,

2000,

1h 49m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Stream Now

Watchlist

95%

107 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

107 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Sammy is a single mother who is extremely protective of her 8-year-old son. She is satisfied with living in the small town she grew up in and working in a local bank. When her brother Terry visits he fits the void in the life of both her and her son. Temporarily free of the constraints of single motherhood she begins to break free of her normal routine. In a string of traumatic events Sammy is torn between helping her brother and her maternal instinct to protect her son from getting hurt.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Stream

Paramount+

Watch You Can Count on Me with a subscription on Paramount+, rent on Fandango, or buy on Fandango.

Critics Consensus

You Can Count On Me may look like it belongs on the small screen, but the movie surprises with its simple yet affecting story. Beautifully acted and crafted, the movie will simply draw you in.

Read Critics Reviews

Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

Jul 19, 2025

Age hasn’t dulled the heartache of Kenneth Lonergan’s finely tuned portrayal of grief.

Go to Full Review

Gavin Smith

Film Comment Magazine

Apr 10, 2018

Unusually sharp editing is the first hint that in fact it's a superior, acutely observed comedy-drama about family ties and the struggle to find a sense of purpose, even managing to work in some genuinely metaphysical intimations.

Go to Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Sep 7, 2011

A

Beautiful, compassionate, articulate.

Go to Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Aug 6, 2026

3.5/4

There are few filmmakers who can carefully craft an intriguing family character drama. You Can Count on Me proves that Kenneth Lonergan is one of them.

Go to Full Review

Rudie Obias

Battleship Pretension

Jul 22, 2025

You Can Count on Me is great and one of the most important movies in American independent cinema of the last 25 years.

Go to Full Review

Joshua Ryan

FandomWire

Jul 15, 2025

9/10

Lonergan showcases a knack for exploring family dynamics with intricate detail, bringing complex emotions to the surface in a way that maintains effortless entertainment.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

George R

Jul 14, 2018

A beautifully touching portrayal of the complex relationship between two siblings.

Luke S

Mar 21, 2018

I confess, I am pretty dumb and took me too long to connect the first scene with the rest of the movie. Eventually I found out and with that out of the way I could dedicate myself to the film: lovely! Just like it's title, and it's characters can be described with few words. It's gentle, fragile and honest. Was a really good watch, and I Ruffalo really nails it.

See more

Kylo G

Apr 3, 2017

Very interesting story - the image we want to project vs who we really are. Mark Ruffalo very good.

Abraham P

Feb 19, 2017

It feels like a spiritual prequel to Manchester by the Sea in every way possible. Though it drags at times, Lonergan's artful dialogue and directing will hold the audience till the end.

See more

Abraham R

Jan 31, 2017

A strong movie about human relationships, about how the death of both their parents affected the life of the brother and sister. Warm and at the same time uncompromising movie.

See more

Abraham S

Jan 25, 2017

Good times in Massachusetts.

Read all reviews

Kenneth Lonergan

Director

Laura Linney

Sammy Prescott

Mark Ruffalo

Terry Prescott

Rory Culkin

Rudy

Matthew Broderick

Brian

Jon Tenney

Bob

You Can Count on Me: Official Clip - Your Future at the Bank

1:33

Now Playing

You Can Count on Me: Official Clip - Goodbye, Uncle Terry

1:12

Now Playing

You Can Count on Me: Official Clip - Rudy Meets His Father

1:56

Now Playing

You Can Count on Me: Official Clip - I F***ed My Boss

2:09

Now Playing

You Can Count on Me: Official Clip - I Think You Should Leave

1:49

Now Playing

You Can Count on Me: Official Clip - Can I Ask You A Personal Question?

2:06

Now Playing

You Can Count on Me: Official Clip - Meeting Uncle Terry

2:12

Now Playing

You Can Count on Me: Official Clip - Serving Some Time

2:04

Now Playing

View more videos

Gosford Park

87%

78%

Gosford Park

Watchlist

Shattered Glass

92%

79%

Shattered Glass

Watchlist

8 Women

79%

76%

8 Women

Watchlist

Being Julia

76%

74%

Being Julia

Watchlist

The Painted Veil

74%

85%

The Painted Veil

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Painted Veil

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Mark Ruffalo’s Best-Reviewed Movies

Trailer Bulletin: Al Pacino in "88 Minutes"

Universal Plans to "Breach" a New FBI Thriller

View more photos

Synopsis

Sammy is a single mother who is extremely protective of her 8-year-old son. She is satisfied with living in the small town she grew up in and working in a local bank. When her brother Terry visits he fits the void in the life of both her and her son. Temporarily free of the constraints of single motherhood she begins to break free of her normal routine. In a string of traumatic events Sammy is torn between helping her brother and her maternal instinct to protect her son from getting hurt.

Director: Kenneth Lonergan
Producer: Barbara De Fina, John Hart, Larry Meistrich, Jeff Sharp
Screenwriter: Kenneth Lonergan
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Hart Sharp Productions, Shooting Gallery, Crush Entertainment, Cappa Productions
Rating: R (Scene of Sexuality|Language|Some Drug Use)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 10, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.2M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby EX
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings