If you’re one of the millions of movie fans who’ve watched every movie starring Hollywood’s most beloved “nice guy,” Tom Hanks, you may have wondered where to watch A Man Called Otto, the 2022 movie directed by Marc Forster and featuring not only Tom Hanks but also his soulful-eyed son, Truman Hanks. Truman deftly portrays the younger version of Tom Hanks’s character, Otto Anderson, during many flashbacks—a role described by critics as both “quirky and grounded.”
Though viewers may begin A Man Called Otto with the impression that it’s just another movie about a curmudgeon with a soft center, Tom Hanks fans know to expect more from the beloved actor, the Academy Award-winning star of fan-favorite films like Forrest Gump, The Green Mile, and Castaway. Fans won’t be disappointed when they learn how to watch A Man Called Otto, a film produced by Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, along with Gary Goetzman and Fredrik Wiktröm Nicastro.
A Man Called Otto enjoyed a limited theater release with a PG-13 rating, but critics caution parents that the film features suicide-related themes.
Where to Watch A Man Called Otto
A Man Called Otto is based on the Oscar-nominated Swedish film, A Man Called Ove, by Hannes Holm, which in turn is based on the Fredrik Backman book of the same name. In an interview with People magazine, Tom Hanks reveals that the film’s producers cast his 27-year-old son, Truman Hanks, in the role of the younger Otto because of their similar appearance and mannerisms, explaining that all of his children have mastered imitations of their father. He goes on to describe entertainment as their “family business.” Though father and son don’t share scenes in the film since the younger Hank stars as young Otto in flashbacks, the movie does well with very believable transitions between the two related actors with very similar eyes.
As the film slowly unravels, it reveals the history that led to Otto’s determination to join his wife Sonya in the grave after struggling with how Sonya dies, and his urge to exert control within his neighborhood as a way of getting a grasp on an out-of-control world that resulted in his living out his senior years without his beloved wife.
If you’ve been wondering where to watch A Man Called Otto, so you can enjoy seeing Tom and Truman Hanks together on screen, you can stream the movie on Netflix, or rent or buy on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.
What Is A Man Called Otto About?
Despite its relatively formulaic “lovable curmudgeon” storyline, Tom Hanks doesn’t fail to deliver in the title role, portraying an aging widower with a grudge against the world—or at least against those who don’t follow the Home Association rules of his Pittsburgh rowhouse community, or who try to charge him for a 6-foot length of rope when he only needs 5 feet to accomplish his goal of joining his recently deceased wife on the other side.
Otto Anderson is a man who considers his life over. After his beloved wife, Sonya (Rachel Keller), passed away and a merger at his business forced him into retirement, there’s nothing to prevent him from saying goodbye to his empty home and joining the woman he loves. But when feisty new neighbor, Marisol (Mariana Travino), moves in next door along with her “nitwit” husband and two children, Otto’s every attempt at finishing himself off ends in a misfire—one time, literally. But just as Otto finds new reasons to remain in his community instead of heading to the grave, fate might have other plans for “Abuelo Otto.” You’ll find out what transforms Otto from a crotchety loner who guards his neighborhood gate and plans his own passing into a lovable local hero now that you know how to watch A Man Called Otto. The cast and characters of A Man Called Otto will further keep you entertained in this heartwearming film.
What’s The Cheapest Way To Watch A Man Called Otto?
If you’re ready to watch a slightly formulaic film that is still guaranteed to tweak your heartstrings, A Man Called Otto is just the ticket. You can stream the film on Netflix or choose from a few other options with a Prime Video or Apple TV rental as the least expensive way to watch.
When it comes to Tom Hanks, fans would tune in to watch him read the phone book for the price of a movie rental. Add the junior Hanks in a flashback role and it’s the sprinkles on the sundae.