The Spectacular Now is an engaging and well-developed romantic movie that smoothly captures the rough feelings and bittersweet experiences of adolescence. Directed by James Ponsoldt and based on the novel by Tim Tharp, the film offers a refreshing take on the paced territory of high school life, exceeding clichés with its honest portrayal of young love and the challenging transition into adulthood.
If you are here to learn how you can watch The Spectacular Now on Netflix from the US or anywhere, then read this blog to the end.
Is The Spectacular Now on Netflix?
Yes! The movie is available for streaming on Netflix but only in Canada. So fans from the US or UK won’t find The Spectacular Now in their Netflix library. The main reason behind this is the content licensing issues, due to which Netflix cant stream the movie globally.
However, with a workable VPN, you can easily change your IP address to a Canadian IP and stream The Spectacular Now on Netflix from anywhere around.
How to watch The Spectacular Now on Netflix in 2023?
The Spectacular Now is available to watch in the Canadian Netflix library. Get an ExpressVPN to change your IP address and watch the movie on Netflix.
Below are the steps you need to follow.
1- Sign up for a reliable VPN to unblock Netflix (We highly recommend ExpressVPN and NordVPN after testing)
2- Download the VPN application on your preferred device. (Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN have dedicated apps for several devices like PC, Mac, and Android devices)
3- Select a Canadian server from the country list
4- Now open Netflix in your browser or in-app
5- Search The Spectacular Now on Netflix
6- Enjoy the movie
Watching The Spectacular Now on Netflix with ExpressVPN | Detailed Explanation
We tested ExpressVPN to watch The Spectacular Now on Netflix from the US, and it worked perfectly. Here are the steps you need to follow, discussed in detail.
1- Sign up for ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the best and leading VPN providers in 2023. A single account subscription is available at a price of $6.67/m with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
You can also unblock Hulu, Peacock, or BBC iPlayer with an ExpressVPN account subscription.
2- Download it on your preferred device
ExpressVPN offers dedicated applications for almost all devices. You can download and use ExpressVPN on Windows, MacOS, iPhone, Linux, and Android devices.
If you like watching Netflix on gaming consoles, ExpressVPN also works on PS4 and Xbox.
3- Connect to a Canadian server
The Spectacular Now is streaming in the Canadian Netflix library. You will need to connect to a Canadian server to unblock the Canadian Netflix library from America or anywhere else.
ExpressVPN has dedicated servers in Canada, perfect for watching The Spectacular Now on Netflix.
4- Enjoy
After connecting to a Canadian IP address, open Netflix and search for The Spectacular Now on Netflix. You can now see the movie appearing on your screen. Hit the play button and enjoy.
The Spectacular Now – Netflix Countries
The Spectacular Now quickly grabbed the attention of the fans of romantic movies, and that made them all curious about where they could watch The Spectacular Now on Netflix.
After a lot of research, our team has concluded that The Spectacular Now is available on Netflix only in Canada, so you have to get a reliable VPN subscription and change your IP to Canadian IP to watch the movie on Netflix from the US or anywhere else.
The Spectacular Now – Release Date
The Spectacular Now was released in the United States on August 2, 2013. The movie grossed $6.9 million worldwide against a production budget of $2.5 million. In addition to an IMDb rating of 7.1/10 and an impressively certified fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 91%, The Spectacular Now got nominated for several big awards and won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival (2013).
If you like watching romantic movies, watch Just Go With It, Before Sunrise, Crazy, Stupid, Love, Jerry Maguire, Midnight in Paris, and 50 First Dates on Netflix.
The Spectacular Now – Official Trailer
The Spectacular Now – What to Expect from the Movie?
Sutter Keely, a charming high-school senior who lives in the now, struggles to envision his future. His life takes a turn when his girlfriend, Cassidy, breaks up with him. Sutter, who loves partying, gets drunk and wakes up on a lawn, where he meets Aimee Finicky.
Sutter Meets Aimee
Aimee is not the typical high school girl. She’s book-smart, kind, and different from anyone Sutter has ever met. After their initial encounter on her lawn, they start spending time together, and Aimee falls for Sutter.
Sutter, Still Not Over Cassidy
Even though Aimee is nothing but good to him, Sutter still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend Cassidy. His lingering feelings for Cassidy create a rift between him and Aimee, making their relationship complicated.
Sutter Realizes His Feelings for Aimee
After a series of events, Sutter realizes that he reciprocates Aimee’s feelings. He tries to better himself and works towards having a future for Aimee.
Sutter’s Struggle with Alcoholism
Sutter’s struggle with alcoholism takes a toll on his life and relationship with Aimee. He has a car accident due to his drinking problem, which ends up hurting Aimee. He realizes he’s spiraling down his father’s path and decides to step away from Aimee to avoid hurting her further.
The Spectacular Now
Despite the damage already done, Sutter continues to drink and loses his job. The movie ends on a hopeful note as Sutter, after hitting rock bottom, seems to decide to turn his life around. He travels to Philadelphia, where Aimee is attending college, and stands outside her dorm, though it’s left open whether Aimee lets him back into her life.
The Cast of The Spectacular Now
It’s true that the success of the James Ponsoldt-directed film, The Spectacular Now, is due to its engaging and heartfelt storyline, but without the talented cast and the effort they put into developing the characters, which synchronize with the story, this movie wouldn’t have turned out the way it did. Let’s take a deeper look into the cast and characters of The Spectacular Now.
- Miles Teller as Sutter Keely
Teller delivers a powerful and authentic performance as the charismatic and seemingly carefree protagonist. His portrayal of Sutter’s internal struggles and transformation brings depth to the character. Teller is best known for his role in Whiplash, Top Gun: Maverick, The Offer, etc.
- Shailene Woodley as Aimee Finicky
Woodley shines in her role as the introverted and compassionate Aimee, who finds her voice and inner strength as her relationship with Sutter evolves. Her performance lends vulnerability and sincerity to the character. She is best known for The Fault in Our Stars, Divergent, etc.
- Brie Larson as Cassidy
As Sutter’s ex-girlfriend, Larson effectively portrays the character’s conflicted emotions and the challenges that come with trying to move on from a past relationship. Brie is got popular after her Oscar-winning role in the 2015 drama thriller Room and as Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. She has also appeared in Kong: Skull Island, Short Term 12, and she also recently appeared in Fast X.
- Jennifer Jason Leigh as Sara Keely
Playing Sutter’s mother, Leigh offers a layered portrayal of a woman trying to protect her son from his father’s influence while grappling with her own shortcomings. She is best known for The Hateful Eight, Single White Female, The Machinist, etc.
- Kyle Chandler as Tommy Keely
Chandler gives a compelling performance as Sutter’s estranged father, whose absence and personal demons have a profound impact on Sutter’s life. Kyle has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including Argo, King Kong, Mayor of Kingstown, Godzilla vs. Kong, and The Wolf of Wall Street.
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Holly Keely:
As Sutter’s older sister, Winstead’s role showcases her character’s concern for her brother and her attempts to help him find a better path in life. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is known for her performances in movies like Final Destination 3, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and 10 Cloverfield Lane.
- Bob Odenkirk as Dan
Odenkirk plays Sutter’s boss, who offers guidance and wisdom as Sutter navigates the complexities of his personal life. Bob is best known for his iconic role as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and its prequel, Better Call Saul. He has also appeared in Nobody and several other tv shows and movies.
Other Cast members of The Spectacular Now are listed below:
- Dayo Okeniyi as Marcus West
- Andre Royo as Mr. Aster
- E. Roger Mitchell as Doctor
- Kaitlyn Dever as Krystal
- Masam Holden as Ricky
- Gary Weeks as Joe
- Whitney Goin as Mrs. Finecky
- Nicci Faires as Tara
Why do you need a VPN to watch The Spectacular Now on Netflix?
Due to the continent licensing issues, The Spectacular Now is only streaming on Canadian Netflix and cannot be accessed anywhere outside Canada; therefore, you will need a reliable VPN that can provide you with a Canadian IP. We tested the top three VPNs in the world right now: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, and all performed well. ExpressVPN, however, delivered the most promising results.
With a network of over 3000 servers in more than 90 countries, including Canada, ExpressVPN stood apart from its competitor VPNs by delivering blazing-fast download speeds of 95Mbps and upload speeds of up to 87Mbps on a 100Mbps connection, making it the best choice for streaming The Spectacular Now on Netflix from the US or anywhere else in the world.
ExpressVPN showcased outstanding compatibility with all operating systems, be it Windows, Android, iOS, or Linux. With dedicated apps for almost all devices, ExpressVPN can be operated on Mobile Phones, PC/Laptops, Smart TVs, and even gaming consoles like PS4 and Xbox, but for that, it has to be installed on the internet router.
Moreover, it is equipped with advanced features, such as Split Tunneling, an Internet Kill Switch, and a MediaStreamer DNS, that make sure you get the best streaming experience and online protection.
ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer support and a 30-day money-back guarantee, and thanks to a 49% discount, it is available for just $6.67/month. They have a special offer going on for a limited time where you get additional three months of service free with the 12-month subscription.
Is it possible to watch The Spectacular Now on Netflix using a free VPN?
Our team of experts conducted a comprehensive evaluation and discovered that free VPNs were unable to provide us with the superior streaming experience that we had hoped for. We encountered a recurring issue known as the Netflix Proxy Error, as well as frequent disconnections and sluggish streaming.
Thus, we advise against using a free VPN to view The Spectacular Now on Netflix. We recommend opting for ExpressVPN or NordVPN instead, as they allow you to change your Netflix regions and enjoy streaming your favorite movies on Netflix.
Moreover, you could organize a watch party with your loved ones and watch The Spectacular Now together by sharing your Netflix screen on Discord.
The Spectacular Now – FAQs
1- Is The Spectacular Now a sad movie?
The Spectacular Now does feature melancholic moments, but it can not be entirely classified as a sad and depressing movie. To put it accurately, The Spectacular Now is a teen romance film that is sometimes goofy, sometimes exciting, and at some moments, unreasonably sad, which is overall a lot like being a teenager.
2- What is The Spectacular Now based on?
The Spectacular Now is a movie adaptation of the novel of the same title penned by Tim Tharp. The screenplay of the movie was skillfully crafted by screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, bringing to the story of Sutter Keely, a high school senior who embarks on a journey of love, relationships, and self-discovery throughout his last year in school, from the pages of the novel to the screen.
3- Does The Spectacular Now have a happy ending?
The ending of The Spectacular Now is neither happy nor sad. It can be considered as an ambiguous ending, leaving the audience to interpret it according to their own imagination. At the end of the movie, Sutter makes his way to Aimee’s college and approaches her as she exits her class, eliciting a subtle but genuine smile from her. This states that the audience has to decide for themselves how the lives of these characters would have progressed from that point on.
4- What else can I watch on Netflix after The Spectacular Now?
Netflix has some of the best movies in its collection for its subscribers. Here is a list of popular movies streaming on Netflix that you should check out after The Spectacular Now:
- Click
- The Wedding Ringer
- Rush Hour 2
- The Vow
- Midnight in Paris
- Project X
- Star Trek Beyond
- Bullet Train
- Interstellar
- Annabelle
- Pitch Perfect
- Coraline
- The Lost City
- Now You See Me 2
- Fast 5
- Knives Out
Wrap Up
The Spectacular Now is a relatable and interesting film that offers a genuine exploration of the achievements and failures of youth. This movie is highly recommended for fans of modern romance.
We have tested ExpressVPN to unblock the Canadian Netflix library from the United States and the UK, and it worked perfectly. Therefore we highly recommend it to all our users and movie lovers.