The Substance of Fire

A somber, talky chamber drama about a family fracturing under grief and principle, rewarding patient viewers with raw performances and moral friction.

Directed by

Daniel J. Sullivan

Genres

Drama

Starring

Tony Goldwyn, Timothy Hutton, Ron Rifkin

Tagline

Doing What Is Right... Could Cost Him Everything.

Overview

Isaac Geldhart is a Holocaust survivor who, overcome by grief at the recent death of his wife, seems determined to run his publishing firm into the ground by printing books that have no hope of financial success. His son Aaron, who also works at the company, grows frustrated with Isaac's emotional decline and attempts to take over the firm. The resulting crisis involves Isaac's other two children, his daughter Sarah and his dying son Martin.

How it feels

Melancholic, tense, earnest and dark. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Grief, family, isolation, memory

Content

Mild sexual content and language. No violence or gore.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)