<P> Manchester by the Sea is a 2016 American drama film written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan , and starring Casey Affleck , Michelle Williams , Kyle Chandler , and Lucas Hedges . The film 's plot follows a man after his brother dies and he is entrusted with caring for his teenage nephew . The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23 , 2016 , and was soon picked up by Amazon Studios for distribution . Manchester by the Sea was filmed in the Massachusetts town of the same name as well as Beverly , Essex , Gloucester , Swampscott , Lynn , Middleton , Tewksbury , and Salem , Massachusetts . It began a limited release on November 18 , 2016 , before a wide release on December 16 , 2016 . It grossed $77 million worldwide against an $8.5 million budget . </P>
where was the film manchester by the sea filmed
Manchester Beverly Essex Gloucester Swampscott Lynn Middleton Tewksbury Salem