The Farewell poster

The Farewell

Based on an actual lie.

7.4(1,598)20191h 40m6

A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is given a terminal diagnosis. Billi struggles with her family's decision to keep grandma in the dark about her own illness as they all stage an impromptu wedding to see grandma one last time.

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Status
Released
Budget
$3M
Box office
$23.1M
Language
Mandarin
  • grandparent grandchild relationship
  • family relationships
  • wedding
  • relationship
  • east asian lead
  • family reunion
  • grandmother
  • chinese american
  • family gathering
  • ethical dilemma
  • woman director
  • lung cancer

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Director

Lulu Wang

Writers

Lulu Wang

Produced in

China, United States of America

Where to watch

All options

Availability for India. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereSundance Film Festival25 Jan 2019
    • Theatrical (limited)PG12 Jul 2019
    • Digital / OTT29 Oct 2019
    • Physical12 Nov 2019
  • United KingdomGB

    • TheatricalPG20 Sept 2019
  • AustraliaAU

    • TheatricalPG5 Sept 2019
    • Digital / OTTPG1 Dec 2019
  • AustriaAT

    • Digital / OTT1219 Dec 2019
  • ChinaCN

    • Theatrical22 Nov 2019
  • CzechiaCZ

    • Theatrical21 May 2020
  • DenmarkDK

    • TheatricalA20 Aug 2020
  • FinlandFI

    • TheatricalS24 Jan 2020
  • FranceFR

    • Theatrical8 Jan 2020
    • PhysicalDVD17 Jun 2020
  • GermanyDE

    • Theatrical019 Dec 2019
  • Hong KongHK

    • TheatricalI30 Jan 2020
  • HungaryHU

    • Digital / OTT126 Feb 2020

Frequently asked questions

The Farewell was released on 12 July 2019.

Audience reviews

4
  • S

    Sheldon Nylander

    11/13/2019

    8/10

    When a Chinese family finds out that the family’s matriarch is dying of lung cancer, complications arise. In Chinese culture, there is a saying that when you get cancer, you die. This actually boils down to the belief that it’s not the cancer that leads to the person’s death, but rather the fear of dying. As such, the family orchestrates an elaborate ruse to get everyone together for a wedding, but in reality the gat…

  • M

    Manuel São Bento

    2/5/2020

    8/10

    If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Lulu Wang shares an emotional part of her personal life by delivering a beautiful, heartfelt story about her grandmother. Even though The Farewell sticks the landing perfectly, not all of the second act’s storylines captivated me, especially the whole wedding narrative. However, Awkwafina offers a fantastic performanc…

  • P

    Peter McGinn

    5/12/2021

    8/10

    This movie is described as a comedy-drama and it is. But I didn’t have many laugh out loud moments. The humor is situational mainly: the writers work up to those moments that make you smile, either because you remember a similar moment in your life, or else because you can’t imagine a similar moment. As happens so often, the story is based on real events. I saw where one review title said it is heartbreaking, but …

  • B

    badelf

    2/1/2026

    8/10

    The Farewell (2019) Directed by Lulu Wang Lulu Wang's The Farewell begins with a title card: "Based on an actual lie." The lie in question is both simple and profound: when Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen) is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, her family decides not to tell her. Instead, they stage a wedding as an excuse to gather from around the world to say goodbye without her knowing it's goodbye. Billi (Awkwafina),…

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