The Story of September: A Weekend of Unraveling
Woody Allen's September unfolds across one charged weekend at a Vermont country house, where six people arrive with their own agendas, wounds, and unspoken desires. What begins as a seemingly peaceful retreat quickly becomes a pressure cooker of emotional confession and quiet confrontation. The film doesn't rely on plot mechanics or dramatic reveals — instead, it's a study in how people vent their anxieties, circle around their deepest fears, and navigate the impossible terrain between attraction and resentment. Allen crafts something almost Chekhovian here: multiple perspectives, overlapping conversations, and the sense that everyone's slightly misaligned with everyone else. It's a film about wanting connection while being terrified of it.
Behind the Making of September: Production, Cast, and Box Office
September arrived in 1987 as a modest, character-driven drama from one of cinema's most prolific voices. Directed by Woody Allen and running just 82 minutes, the film featured an impressive ensemble: Mia Farrow in the lead role, alongside Dianne Wiest, Sam Waterston, Elaine Stritch, Jack Warden, and Denholm Elliott. The cast alone signals Allen's commitment to nuanced, ensemble-driven storytelling — these are seasoned actors comfortable with subtext and silence. Rated PG, the film was accessible in theory but never found a wide audience. Box office returns were modest at $486,434, a stark reminder that intimate dramas don't move ticket sales the way comedies or spectacles do. Still, the film's restraint and theatrical pedigree — you can feel the play it might have been — gave it a certain prestige among critics who valued Allen's willingness to move away from his comedic comfort zone. Movie OTT tracks where films like this find their second life on streaming, and September has quietly become more accessible to audiences who might have missed it on its original release.
What Makes September Stand Out: Performance and Restraint
What's striking about September is how much happens without happening. There are no car chases, no shocking revelations, no climactic confrontations that resolve anything neatly — there's just the slow accumulation of glances, half-finished sentences, and the dawning realization that people rarely say what they actually mean. Mia Farrow carries the film with a vulnerability that feels earned rather than performed; she's not playing a character so much as inhabiting a state of emotional fragility. The supporting cast works in concert with her, each actor finding the small moments that add up to something larger. Dianne Wiest, in particular, brings a kind of desperate energy to her scenes — you believe her character's hunger for connection and her terror of it simultaneously. It's the kind of film where a pause in dialogue can mean more than a monologue, where the way someone looks away from another person tells you everything you need to know about their relationship. Rotten Tomatoes critics gave it a 67% Fresh rating, and while that's not a ringing endorsement, it reflects the film's divided nature: some viewers find it achingly beautiful, others find it glacially slow. That split is actually the point. September doesn't seduce you with plot; it asks you to sit with discomfort and recognize it as truth.
I keep coming back to the film's refusal to let anyone off easy — not the characters, and not the audience. Allen doesn't judge his people, but he doesn't let them hide either. The thing nobody mentions is that this restraint can feel cold to viewers expecting the warmth of connection, when really Allen's point is that warmth is what we're all desperately seeking but can't quite manage to give each other. The IMDb rating of 6.5 out of 10 reflects this polarization; it's a film that people either recognize as profound or dismiss as pretentious. When you're tracking what's available across streaming services, as Movie OTT does, you'll find that September appeals to a specific audience: those who don't need plot to feel moved, who understand that sometimes a film's power lies in what it refuses to do.
Where to Stream September Online
September is currently available on Prime Video, where you can stream it on demand. The film's modest runtime — just 82 minutes — makes it perfect for a weeknight viewing, though its emotional weight might linger longer than you'd expect from something so brief. Check the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page for the most current streaming availability and pricing options. Prime Video's catalog shifts regularly, so if you've been meaning to catch up with Allen's work from this period, it's worth adding to your watchlist now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who directed September?
Woody Allen directed September in 1987. It's one of his more dramatic, chamber-piece-like works, distinct from his better-known comedies.
Q: Is September based on a true story?
No, September is an original screenplay by Woody Allen. While it explores universal emotional themes, it's not adapted from another source or based on real events.
Q: What's the runtime of September?
September runs 82 minutes, making it one of Allen's shorter films. Despite its brevity, it's densely packed with emotional complexity.
Q: Is September appropriate for kids?
The film is rated PG, though it contains mature themes around relationships, anxiety, and emotional conflict. It's more suitable for older teens and adults who can appreciate its subtle, dialogue-driven approach.
Q: Where can I watch September?
September is available to stream on Prime Video. You can check current pricing and rental options through the streaming widget at the top of this page.
Final Thoughts on September
September isn't a film for everyone — and that's okay. It's a film for people who find emotional truth in small moments, who recognize themselves in characters' inability to say what they mean, who don't need explosions or plot twists to feel something real. Woody Allen made something genuinely vulnerable here, a film that trusts its audience to sit with discomfort. If you're looking for intimate, character-driven drama that doesn't announce itself, this weekend in Vermont is worth your time.
