What is The Dad Movie on Netflix starring Olivia Colman? When and Where Can You Watch it?

Published 08/09/2025, 9:39 AM EDT

Trending as 'The Dad' is that rare film that transforms memory and time into a mesmerizing labyrinth of uncertainty. With Olivia Colman anchoring the emotional intensity, the film becomes a sensitive puzzle. Mysterious, heartbreaking, and hauntingly beautiful, it has invited audiences to lose and find themselves in the shifting sands of recollection at the theatres, but at home?

One can think of it like a well-kept secret suddenly made public, the kind of treasure you did not know you needed until it appeared on your screen. The question is not if you will watch it, but where you will press play.

From a secret to streaming: Where to watch Olivia Colman's psychological drama

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The Father (often misnamed ‘The Dad') is currently, most certainly, streaming on Netflix and drawing new admirers daily. But it is far from a one-platform wonder. Viewers can also rent or purchase it on Amazon Video and iTunes, with small differences depending on the location. Whether nestled on the sofa for a spontaneous stream or outfitted with popcorn for a planned rental, this acclaimed drama is kept a secret for sure, but well within reach. The power of Florian Zeller's storytelling now stretches across digital borders, ensuring global audiences can access his artistry.

At its heart, the 2020 Sundance Film Festival released The Father is a masterfully crafted psychological drama that traces the bewildering journey of Anthony, an elderly man living with dementia, played by the outstanding Anthony Hopkins. Olivia Colman, also set to moonlight as the certain "spirited" Mrs. Bennet, has given a nuanced portrayal of his daughter Anne, adding warmth and texture to the emotional tapestry. The narrative blurs lines between past and present, memory and reality, sweeping viewers into Anthony’s experience with empathy and elegance.

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If awards were emotions, this movie would sweep them all. Every frame feels like a love letter to the craft, and a gentle gut punch to the soul.

The Father's emotional accolades

Critics and audiences have showered the film with praise, and it is easy to see why. Anthony Hopkins’s performance was heralded as one for the ages, while Olivia Colman’s quietly powerful turn as Anne gives The Father's the story its heartbeat. The film is celebrated for capturing the profound and often devastating effects of dementia, not just on those living with the condition, but on everyone around them. Innovation and emotion collide in a unique cinematic experience.

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With a brisk 97-minute runtime, The Father manages to blend mystery, drama, and psychological depth into an unforgettable package. Whether the audience reaches for Netflix, Amazon, or iTunes, this is one journey through memory not easily forgotten. So may the lights be dimmed, play be pressed, and to be moved, prepared for—the boundaries of reality are about to shift in the most compelling of ways.

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Are you going to watch Olivia Colman's critically acclaimed number The Father on these streaming platforms? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Adiba Nizami

523 articles

Adiba Nizami is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. Covering the Hollywood beat with a voice both sharp and stylish, she blends factual precision with a flair for wit. Her pieces often dissect celebrity narratives—both on-screen and off—through parasocial nuance and cultural relevance.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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