The Tribes of Palos Verdes

Play trailer

2:20

The Tribes of Palos Verdes

R

2017

1h 45m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

When the Mason family moves to idyllic Palos Verdes, Calif., the father, Phil, loves it but the mother, Sandy, feels out of place among the fake tans and tennis skirts. Phil and Sandy's daughter, Medina, is a loner and outcast at school, while her charismatic brother, Jim, is effortlessly popular. When Medina and Jim take up surfing, they must prove their right to share the waves with the tough Bayboys gang that monopolizes their stretch of beach.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The Tribes of Palos Verdes serves up a minor -- albeit alluringly atmospheric -- variation on the coming-of-age story, led by a strong performance from Maika Monroe.

Read Critics Reviews

Emily Yoshida

New York Magazine/Vulture

Aug 13, 2018

It's a gorgeous-looking, sensitively edited film to be sure, but never finds a dramatic foothold, no matter how many manic arguments and drug overdoses it throws our way.

Go to Full Review

Matthew Lickona

San Diego Reader

Dec 15, 2017

1/5

What's the point of white privilege if it doesn't protect you from disaster and despair?

Go to Full Review

Robert Abele

Los Angeles Times

Dec 7, 2017

The directors get some melancholic atmosphere out of their visuals but don't have the scene sense to build their actors' committed performances into compelling through-lines of seaside personality disintegration.

Go to Full Review

Cate Marquis

AWFJ.org

Nov 4, 2021

Maika Monroe and Cody Fern make The Tribes of Palos Verdes the success it is. Utilizing a diarylike narration the film is a slow burn through the downward spiral of one family's West Coast transition.

Go to Full Review

Betsy Bozdech

AWFJ.org

Nov 4, 2021

Both actresses delve deeply into their roles, helping to create a drama that's often achingly sad but also relatable...

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Aug 30, 2021

2.5/4

The dynamics at play are genuine, even if the movie does take at least one melodramatic turn too many.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Keith B

@Okbullard Oct 5, 2026

It was pretty well done but there was so much drama heaped on top of more drama. The acting was excellent though.

See more

Carole S

@Carole140 Dec 7, 2025

The film as a whole probably appeals to youth, but to an adult is boring. However Jennifer Garner is amazing. She really lets loose and she has amazing range. You never see this side of her ability in the things she usually does, but it was really impressive.

See more

Tereza T

@RT74415894 Jan 3, 2025

It's interesting and surprising to see all these mixed reviews. I found the movie enjoyable from start to finish, the two kids imo being the best actors on the movie. The music, camera, I found it enchanting. Jennifer garner was good, but the kids and their relationship held the movie together.

See more

Jerod S

@jeroduptown Nov 22, 2023

Garner is excellent with her mental disorder poured on top of a narcassistic husband that wants to move to Cali to do more surgeries. Twin kids struggle as their parents fall apart and they find themselves surfing.

See more

Marcelo V

@MarceloBezerra Apr 9, 2023

Filme triste e real. Jennifer Garner perfeita

See more

Aug 1, 2022

Encapsulated Teen Angst Via The Many Avoidance Methods A Beachside Suburb Holds. Just Because You Have Paradise On Your Doorstep, Does Not Mean Modern Day Problems Disappear. Establishes Quite Well The Idea Of How Disconnected People Can Be When They're All Trying To Escape.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Emmett Malloy

Director

Brendan Malloy

Director

Jennifer Garner

Sandy Mason

Maika Monroe

Medina Mason

Cody Fern

Jim

Noah Silver

Adrian

War Dogs

62%

69%

War Dogs

Watchlist

TRAILER

for War Dogs

Flower

48%

41%

Flower

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Flower

Tully

87%

75%

Tully

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Tully

The Comedian

24%

28%

The Comedian

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Comedian

20th Century Women

88%

74%

20th Century Women

Watchlist

TRAILER

for 20th Century Women

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Is Certified Fresh

The Tribes of Palos Verdes: Trailer 1

2:20

Now Playing

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

When the Mason family moves to idyllic Palos Verdes, Calif., the father, Phil, loves it but the mother, Sandy, feels out of place among the fake tans and tennis skirts. Phil and Sandy's daughter, Medina, is a loner and outcast at school, while her charismatic brother, Jim, is effortlessly popular. When Medina and Jim take up surfing, they must prove their right to share the waves with the tough Bayboys gang that monopolizes their stretch of beach.

Director: Emmett Malloy, Brendan Malloy
Producer: Robbie Brenner, Karen Croner
Screenwriter: Karen Croner, Joy Nicholson
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Truth Entertainment (II), Relativity Media, The Firm, The Mark Gordon Company
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language Throughout|Drug Use)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 1, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.7K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings