Smashed

Kate and Charlie are a couple whose days revolve around music, laughter, and a shared appetite for a good time. Their marriage thrives on carefree evenings and quick punchlines, until Kate's drinking escalates from fun to problematic. When her alcohol use starts to interfere with her teaching job and daily life, the couple must confront the fragility of their bond. The story follows Kate as she tries to chart a sober course, facing awkward truths about her lies at work, her tense relationship with her mother, and how her partnership with Charlie has shifted. Recovery arrives slowly, and the road isn't smooth.

Directed by James Ponsoldt and released in 2012, Smashed stems from an original screenplay by Susan Burke. The intimate drama uses a modest budget to scrutinize a crisis of self and love.

Critics noted the film for its grounded portrayal of sobriety and the strain it puts on a marriage. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul give restrained performances that balance humor and hardship, inviting viewers to question what it means to start over.

The reception centers on its raw look at accountability, dependency, and personal growth within a modern relationship. The tone blends quiet comedy with tough honesty, framing Kate's struggle not as a cautionary tale but as a messy, human process.