Housekeeping for Beginners

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2:05

Housekeeping for Beginners

R

2024

1h 47m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

From acclaimed filmmaker Goran Stolevski comes a story exploring the universal truths of family, both the ones we're born into and the ones we find for ourselves. Dita never wanted to be a mother, but circumstances force her to raise her girlfriend's two daughters, tiny troublemaker Mia and rebellious teen Vanesa. A battle of wills ensues as the three continue to butt heads and become an unlikely family that must fight to stay together.

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Critics Consensus

Applying a fresh coat of paint on a chosen family story, Housekeeping for Beginners makes for a cozy, uplifting watch.

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Johanna Schneller

Globe and Mail

In lesser hands, this chaos might tumble into melodrama or farce. But Stolevski’s actors deliver such naturalistic performances, and he writes such specific dialogue...

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Amy Nicholson

Washington Post

By the end, we’ve soaked up something of modern Macedonia and had our own cultural standards put to the rack.

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 11, 2024

Full Review

Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Stolevski creates a wonderful group of flawed but understandable characters and then illustrates just how brave they are as they pull together to negotiate and overcome treacherous encounters.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 10, 2024

Full Review

Cody Allen

Geek Vibes Nation

Housekeeping For Beginners emerges as a meticulously honed creation, a testament to Stolevski's unwavering commitment to his craft.

Rated: 8/10

Jul 20, 2025

Full Review

Anna Hoang

Boston Hassle

Despite its loosely drawn margins, HOUSEKEEPING FOR BEGINNERS is in step with Stolevski’s palette for kinship in unusual circumstances.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 13, 2025

Full Review

William Stottor

Loud and Clear Reviews

In Housekeeping for Beginners, a ramshackle family reel from the loss of one of their members and try to find unity amongst the stifling chaos of grief.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 3, 2024

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Marisa

Not my cup of tea. Left before it was over.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/20/24

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Stephen C

Pride in 1 hour and 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Teen Drinking, Sexual Content and Language Throughout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $241,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/28/25

Full Review

Michael C

A wonderful extraordinary film!!! A must see!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/14/25

Full Review

Michael V

Home is where you belong. Housekeeping for Beginners (Macedonian: Domaḱinstvo za početnici) is a 2023 drama film written, directed and edited by Goran Stolevski 🎥 Can’t recommend it. Meh, it passed the time. Sort of. 😕 Dita, who, despite never aspiring to be a mother, finds herself compelled to raise her girlfriend’s two daughters—Mia, a tiny troublemaker, and Vanesa, a rebellious teenager. As their individual wills clash, a heartwarming story unfolds about an unlikely family's struggle to stay together.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

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Mario C

Just another LBGTQ picture....could have been good, but it was TERRIBLE.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

Laurie F

This is one of my favourite films of the year. I loved the cast, the direction, the cinematography and the heart and soul of this film. Truly amazing performances and an invisible shooting crew. A real triumph and a reminder of how great small films can be.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/09/24

Full Review

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Goran Stolevski

Director

Anamaria Marinca

Dita

Alina Serban

Suada

Samson Selim

Ali

Vladimir Tintor

Toni

Mia Mustafa

Vanesa

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Housekeeping for Beginners: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

From acclaimed filmmaker Goran Stolevski comes a story exploring the universal truths of family, both the ones we're born into and the ones we find for ourselves. Dita never wanted to be a mother, but circumstances force her to raise her girlfriend's two daughters, tiny troublemaker Mia and rebellious teen Vanesa. A battle of wills ensues as the three continue to butt heads and become an unlikely family that must fight to stay together.

Director: Goran Stolevski
Producer: Marija Dimitrova, Klaudia Śmieja, Ankica Juric-Tilic, Beata Rzezniczek, Milan Stojanovic, Blerta Basholli
Screenwriter: Goran Stolevski
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Industria Film, Common Ground Pictures, SENSE Production, Causeway Films, List Production, Film i Väst, Madants, Kinorama
Rating: R (Some Teen Drinking|Sexual Content|Language Throughout)
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: Macedonian
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $241.0K
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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