Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Familiar Touch

Play trailer Familiar Touch In Theaters Fri Jun 20 1h 31m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
100% Tomatometer 16 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings
Ruth (Kathleen Chalfant), a retired cook, prepares breakfast in her sunny and cozy kitchen -- a dish she seems to have made many times before, although small and puzzling errors now punctuate her comfortable routine. When her son (H. Jon Benjamin) arrives to dine with her, she mistakes him for a suitor. Their "date" takes them to an assisted living facility, which Ruth does not remember that she had previously selected for herself. Among her fellow memory care residents, Ruth feels lost and adrift, certain she has found herself somewhere she does not belong. As she slowly begins to accept the warmth and support of care workers Vanessa (Carolyn Michelle) and Brian (Andy McQueen), she finds new ways to ground herself in her body, even as her mind embarks on a journey all its own. Writer-director Sarah Friedland's coming-of-old-age feature compassionately follows the winding path of octogenarian Ruth's shifting memories and desires while remaining rooted in her sage perspective.
Coming Soon In Theaters Fri Jun 20 Reserve Tickets

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Guy Lodge Variety Friedland’s film, as sharp as it is soft, conveys both the terror of losing the life you recognize, and the intermittent, fragmented joy of finding it again. Sep 9, 2024 Full Review Hannah Strong Little White Lies There is great emotional heft to a relatively simple film, and a dignity and empathy afforded to dementia patients that feels astonishingly rare on-screen, where sensationalism tends to bring the house down. Sep 9, 2024 Full Review Alison Willmore New York Magazine/Vulture Familiar Touch can be sad, without question, but it’s also salty and boundlessly tender. Sep 5, 2024 Full Review Frank J. Avella The Contending Inspired by Friedland’s work as a memory care worker and older adult teaching artist, the film owes a lot to Chalfant who delivers an understated, nuanced turn. Rated: B+ Dec 19, 2024 Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog It's also absolutely not depressing, but nor does it offer any false uplift. No one ever recovers from Alzheimer's, but writer/director Sarah Friedland, in concert with Kathleen Chalfant and the supporting cast, finds moments of humor and tenderness. Rated: 4/4 Nov 27, 2024 Full Review Clotilde Chinnici Loud and Clear Reviews Even if Familiar Touch is not a perfect film, I still very much enjoyed it. Its narrative makes it feel unique, with its spotlight on the residents and staff of the care community, in more ways than one. Rated: 3.5/5 Oct 13, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews
In the Summers 93% % In the Summers Watchlist TRAILER for In the Summers Chaperone 100% % Chaperone Watchlist Daruma 100% 99% Daruma Watchlist TRAILER for Daruma Tendaberry 92% % Tendaberry Watchlist I Wish You All the Best 100% % I Wish You All the Best Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Ruth (Kathleen Chalfant), a retired cook, prepares breakfast in her sunny and cozy kitchen -- a dish she seems to have made many times before, although small and puzzling errors now punctuate her comfortable routine. When her son (H. Jon Benjamin) arrives to dine with her, she mistakes him for a suitor. Their "date" takes them to an assisted living facility, which Ruth does not remember that she had previously selected for herself. Among her fellow memory care residents, Ruth feels lost and adrift, certain she has found herself somewhere she does not belong. As she slowly begins to accept the warmth and support of care workers Vanessa (Carolyn Michelle) and Brian (Andy McQueen), she finds new ways to ground herself in her body, even as her mind embarks on a journey all its own. Writer-director Sarah Friedland's coming-of-old-age feature compassionately follows the winding path of octogenarian Ruth's shifting memories and desires while remaining rooted in her sage perspective.
Director
Sarah Friedland
Producer
Alexandra Byer, Sarah Friedland, Matthew Thurm
Screenwriter
Sarah Friedland
Distributor
Music Box Films
Production Co
Rathaus Films, Memento Films International
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 20, 2025, Limited
Runtime
1h 31m