Monday Morning Maybe

Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Death of a Salesman

Death of a Salesman

Seen it?

1985 | 136 min | Drama, TV Movie

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 3 Emmys. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 16 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Willy Loman, an aging, failing salesman, struggles to accept reality and his failure to achieve the American Dream.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.9 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 3 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Special. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. Also nominated for 6 more Emmys and 3 more Golden Globes. Plus 2 other awards.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 55K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Volker Schlöndorff

  • Dustin HoffmanWilly Loman
  • Kate ReidLinda Loman
  • John MalkovichBiff Loman
  • Stephen LangHarold 'Happy' Loman
  • Charles DurningCharley
  • Louis ZorichBen Loman
  • David ChandlerBernard
  • Jon PolitoHoward
  • Kathryn RossetterWoman from Boston
  • Tom SignorelliStanley