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Manchester by the Sea

Manchester by the Sea is a 2016 American drama film written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Manchester by the Sea is a 2016 American drama film written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan. It stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, and Lucas Hedges, and follows a grieving man who becomes guardian to his teenage nephew after his brother’s death. The film is noted for its themes of grief, guilt, and family responsibility.

Plot

The film follows Lee Chandler, a Boston handyman who must return to Manchester-by-the-Sea after his brother’s death. There he becomes legal guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick while confronting traumatic events from his past.

Production and release

Manchester by the Sea was written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan and released in 2016. Sources indicate it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2016 and later received a U.S. theatrical release in November or December 2016.

Cast

The principal cast includes Casey Affleck as Lee Chandler, Michelle Williams as Randi, Kyle Chandler as Joe Chandler, and Lucas Hedges as Patrick. Other sources also list Gretchen Mol among the cast.

Reception and awards

The film was widely praised for its performances and its portrayal of grief and loss. It received multiple Academy Award nominations and won awards including Best Actor for Casey Affleck and Best Original Screenplay for Kenneth Lonergan.

Key facts

  • The film centers on Lee Chandler, who returns to his hometown after his brother dies and is named guardian of his nephew.
  • It was written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan.
  • Casey Affleck won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.
  • The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
  • The story is set in the coastal Massachusetts town of Manchester-by-the-Sea and nearby Boston.
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Canadian context

The film was widely distributed and reviewed in Canada as part of the international release cycle for major English-language awards films, but it has no specific Canadian setting or Canadian production identity in the sources provided.

Frequently asked questions

What is Manchester by the Sea about?
It is about a grieving man who returns to his hometown after his brother’s death and becomes guardian to his teenage nephew while facing a painful past.
Who directed Manchester by the Sea?
Kenneth Lonergan wrote and directed the film.
Who stars in Manchester by the Sea?
The main cast includes Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, and Lucas Hedges.
What awards did the film win?
It won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Casey Affleck and Best Original Screenplay for Kenneth Lonergan.
When was Manchester by the Sea released?
It was released in 2016; sources differ slightly on whether the U.S. theatrical release was November 18 or December 16, 2016.
Where is the film set?
It is set in the coastal Massachusetts town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, with scenes also tied to the Boston area.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_by_the_Sea_(film)
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, themes, budget, worldwide gross, and general film overview.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/manchester_by_the_sea
    Supports: Synopsis, runtime, genre, release date, and setting.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4034228/
    Supports: Release year and general film identification.
  4. Roadside Attractions — https://roadsideattractions.com/filmography/manchester-by-the-sea/
    Supports: Synopsis, release timing, cast, and awards claims.
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/manchester-by-the-sea-2016
    Supports: Critical interpretation of the film's themes and tone.