An American Pastoral (2024): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2024, An American Pastoral is a documentary film directed by Auberi Edler, running about 119 minutes.

What it’s about. In a quiet Pennsylvania town, a storm is brewing over the soul of its public schools. What begins as a debate over library books quickly reveals a deeper battle — one over religion, democracy, and the future of American education. Set in Elizabethtown, nestled in the heart of Lancaster County, An American Pastoral follows a high-stakes local school board race as it becomes a flashpoint for a national culture war. With far-right activists pushing a theocratic agenda and longtime public servants stepping down under threat, the town’s once-routine school board meetings erupt into scenes of conflict and division. This gripping documentary captures the voices of citizens fighting to protect their schools—and the fragile promise of secular democracy — one ballot at a time.

Who’s in it. An American Pastoral stars James C. Emery as Self, Kristy Moore as Self, Tina M. Wilson as Self and Kelly Fuddy as Self, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, An American Pastoral has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home and Plex. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch An American Pastoral page.

If you liked it. Fans of An American Pastoral tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.