Watch The Tribes of Palos Verdes

The Tribes of Palos Verdes is a heart-wrenching drama film that was released in 2017, directed by Brendan Malloy and Emmett Malloy. The movie stars Maika Monroe, Cody Fern, and Jennifer Garner in the lead roles. The film is based on Joy Nicholson's novel, which has the same title. The story revolves around the Mason family, which consists of four members- Phil (Justin Kirk) and Sandy (Jennifer Garner), their daughter Medina (Maika Monroe), and her twin brother Jim (Cody Fern). The Masons move from Michigan to Palos Verdes, California, for a fresh start. They rent a house that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and things seem to be going well for the family at first.

However, as time passes, the family starts to unravel, and the peaceful neighborhood of Palos Verdes becomes a jungle of secrets, lies, and deceit. Jim gets into drugs and starts to drift away from the family. Phil, a cardiologist, begins an affair with a patient, which leads to Sandy’s emotional breakdown. Medina, who has always been close to Jim, becomes a victim of bullying after getting involved with a group of surfers who live in the area.

In an attempt to find solace, Medina immerses herself in surfing and becomes a passionate surfer, using the sport as an escape from her family's problems. She finds comfort and friendship with the surfers, who teach her the culture of the sport and help her cope with her problems. However, when her brother's addiction and her family’s conflict become too intense, Medina finds herself on the brink of losing everything she holds dear.

Maika Monroe delivers a remarkable portrayal of Medina, a young girl battling the emotional turmoil of her family's disintegration. She perfectly captures the character's desperation for stability and how she sees surfing as a means of escape. Cody Fern delivers a haunting performance as Jim, Medina's vulnerable twin brother, who is overwhelmed by the stress and trauma he experiences.

Jennifer Garner is impressive as Sandy, the mother who is struggling to keep her family together while also trying to come to terms with her own emotional baggage. Her performance is subtle yet powerful, capturing the pain and fear that Sandy experiences throughout the film.

Overall, The Tribes of Palos Verdes is a poignant depiction of a family that is torn apart by life's many challenges. The movie explores themes like family, love, loss, and redemption, making it an emotional and unforgettable experience for the audience. The film's beautiful cinematography captures the breathtaking Californian landscape that serves as a backdrop to the events that unfold. The realistic portrayal of dysfunctional family dynamics makes the movie a relatable and moving story that is sure to resonate with viewers.

The Tribes of Palos Verdes is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 49.