Finding a movie that captures the absolute, soul-crushing chaos of a family funeral is harder than you'd think. Most Hollywood flicks go for the "we all cry and hug it out" vibe. But then there’s This Is Where I Leave You. If you're looking for that specific movie with Jane Fonda and Jason Bateman, this is the one. It’s messy. It’s awkward. Honestly, it’s probably a lot like your own family, minus the Hollywood lighting.
Released in 2014, the film didn't exactly set the world on fire with critics—it holds a 44% on Rotten Tomatoes—but it has become a cult favorite for anyone who has ever wanted to scream at their siblings during a holiday dinner.
What Actually Happens in This Is Where I Leave You?
The setup is basically a pressure cooker. After their father passes away, four adult siblings are forced to return to their childhood home. Their mother, Hillary Altman (played by the legendary Jane Fonda), drops a bombshell: their dad’s final wish was for the family to sit Shiva.
That means seven days. One house. No escape.
Jason Bateman plays Judd Altman, the "normal" one whose life is currently a dumpster fire. He just caught his wife in bed with his boss—on his birthday, no less. Bateman does that thing he does best—the deadpan, simmering frustration—while surrounded by a cast that is frankly overqualified for a mid-budget dramedy.
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You’ve got:
- Tina Fey as Wendy, the sister who’s the family’s emotional glue but is secretly falling apart.
- Adam Driver as Phillip, the youngest "man-child" who shows up in a Porsche he can't afford.
- Corey Stoll as Paul, the eldest brother carrying the weight of the family business.
Jane Fonda as the Ultimate Over-Sharing Matriarch
Let’s talk about Hillary Altman. Jane Fonda is 76 in this movie (though she looks about 50), and she plays a celebrity psychologist who became famous by writing a book about her children’s most embarrassing childhood moments.
She's the kind of mom who gets a massive breast enhancement and then talks about it at the dinner table. It’s a wild role for Fonda, but she brings this weirdly touching warmth to it. She’s the catalyst for most of the drama because she has zero boundaries.
There’s a scene where the kids are looking at old family photos. In real life, the production team actually used real childhood photos from the cast. Tina Fey mentioned in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that they Photoshopped her head onto other bodies, including one where she’s standing next to Jane. It gives the house a lived-in, authentic feel that you don't usually see in "movie homes."
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Why the Movie with Jane Fonda and Jason Bateman Stays Relevant
Most people revisit this movie because it doesn't try to solve everything. By the time the credits roll, the characters haven't magically fixed their lives. Judd is still divorced and unemployed. Wendy is still in a stultifying marriage.
But they’ve reconnected.
The film was adapted by Jonathan Tropper from his own best-selling novel. Usually, when authors write their own screenplays, they struggle to "kill their darlings," and you can feel that here. There are arguably too many subplots. You’ve got Rose Byrne as a hometown flame, Timothy Olyphant as a neighbor with a tragic brain injury, and Kathryn Hahn dealing with fertility issues.
It’s a lot.
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However, that "overstuffed" feeling is kind of the point of family, isn't it? It’s never just one problem; it’s a dozen overlapping heartbreaks happening all at once.
Where Can You Watch It in 2026?
If you’re looking to stream this today, it’s pretty accessible. While licensing deals change faster than Phillip Altman’s girlfriends, as of early 2026, you can generally find This Is Where I Leave You on:
- Digital Rental/Purchase: Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Google Play are the safest bets. It’s usually priced around $3.99 for a rental.
- Streaming Services: It frequently rotates onto platforms like Netflix or Max. Check your local listings, as it tends to pop up whenever people are searching for "feel-good family movies" around the holidays.
Real Talk: Is It Worth Your Time?
If you want a masterpiece, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want to see Adam Driver be a charming jerk, Tina Fey show off some serious dramatic acting chops, and Jane Fonda command every room she’s in, then yes.
It’s a movie that understands that grief isn't just crying in a dark room; sometimes it’s getting high with your brothers in a temple basement. It’s loud, it’s "kinda" vulgar, and it’s deeply human.
Next Steps for You:
If you enjoyed the vibe of the film, you should definitely track down the original novel by Jonathan Tropper. It goes much deeper into Judd's internal monologue and features a few darker subplots that the movie (directed by Shawn Levy) softened for a PG-13/R-rated audience. Also, if you’re a fan of this specific cast pairing, check out Grace and Frankie on Netflix for more of Jane Fonda’s late-career brilliance, or Ozark if you want to see Jason Bateman lean into the darker side of family loyalty.