May December

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2:26

May December

R

Released Nov 17, 2023

1h 53m

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

332 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, Gracie Atherton-Yu and her husband Joe (twenty-three years her junior) brace themselves for their twins to graduate from high school. When Hollywood actress Elizabeth Berry comes to spend time with the family to better understand Gracie, who she will be playing in a film, family dynamics unravel under the pressure of the outside gaze. Joe, never having processed what happened in his youth, starts to confront the reality of life as an empty-nester at thirty-six. And as Elizabeth and Gracie study each other, the similarities and differences between the two women begin to ebb and flow. Set in picturesque and comfortable Savannah, Georgia, May December is an exploration of truth, storytelling, and the difficulties (or impossibility) of fully understanding another person.

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Critics Consensus

Swaddling its difficult fact-based story in a blanket of campy humor, May December is a seductively discomfiting watch.

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Audience Says

May December benefits from a really talented cast, although its unorthodox approach to a reality-inspired story may frustrate some viewers.

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Christina Newland

iNews.co.uk

A combination of rollicking, darkly delicious entertainment and brilliantly rendered character study, this has the making of a modern classic.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 18, 2024

Full Review

Steph Green

Empire Magazine

May December is not just a skilful satire of suburban propriety; it’s a unique and uncanny affair about the nature of performance itself.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 18, 2024

Full Review

Stephen Romei

The Australian

Complex, intelligent, thought-provoking filmmakers are back in fashion.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 3, 2024

Full Review

Kyle Amato

Boston Hassle

A puzzle box we will rotate in our minds forever.

Rated: A+

Jul 22, 2025

Full Review

Rua Fay

Cinemasters

[grooming] is an incredibly difficult subject to capture on film, but May December treats it with beauty and grace.

Jul 21, 2025

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Cameron Ritter

Geek Vibes Nation

May December is a unique drama that manages to effectively weld together strands of ironic melodramatic filmmaking, incredible laughs, and one of the most unsettling stories of the year.

Rated: 8.5/10

Jul 19, 2025

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Justin

Great movie about psychology, and the acting is superb.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/03/23

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Jessika Johnson

Charles Melton is my favorite part of this film. The way he is the stand out in a film with an A-List cast like this oh Im hopping on that Charles Melton best supporting actor Oscar campaign. I have too many thoughts but dont know where to start. One of my favorite watches of the year. Natalie Portman is amazing as always.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/23

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Robyn K

Film kind of boring and slow - with no let up. Always nice to see, however, the two female leads and observe their acting.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/21/23

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cav

May December was very interesting to watch, kept you wondering exactly what all the underlying problems of the 3 main characters were. Very well acted by all the players.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/19/23

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michael f

Yaaaaawwwn. I'm normally a big NP fan but not here. Didn't care enough to finish it.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/18/25

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Vixo S

An uncomfortable reflection. May December is a fascinating film that manages to be both unsettling and captivating. It has that cold, calculated elegance that only Todd Haynes can bring to his stories, making every look, every silence, and every gesture feel heavy with meaning. What struck me most wasn’t just the peculiar or shocking aspects of the situation, but how the film becomes a profound examination of trauma, intimacy, and the power of media sensationalism. The performances are outstanding, with Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman showing all their skill in deeply layered roles, but for me it’s Charles Melton who truly shines, conveying a brutal and moving vulnerability. It’s the kind of film that feels uncomfortable to watch yet impossible to look away from.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

Full Review

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Todd Haynes

Director

Natalie Portman

Elizabeth Berry

Julianne Moore

Gracie Atherton-Yoo

Cory Michael Smith

Georgie Atherton

Charles Melton

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May December: Trailer 1

2:26

May December: Teaser

0:33

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Synopsis

Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, Gracie Atherton-Yu and her husband Joe (twenty-three years her junior) brace themselves for their twins to graduate from high school. When Hollywood actress Elizabeth Berry comes to spend time with the family to better understand Gracie, who she will be playing in a film, family dynamics unravel under the pressure of the outside gaze. Joe, never having processed what happened in his youth, starts to confront the reality of life as an empty-nester at thirty-six. And as Elizabeth and Gracie study each other, the similarities and differences between the two women begin to ebb and flow. Set in picturesque and comfortable Savannah, Georgia, May December is an exploration of truth, storytelling, and the difficulties (or impossibility) of fully understanding another person.

Director: Todd Haynes
Producer: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell, Grant S. Johnson, Pamela Koffler, Tyler W. Konney, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman, Christine Vachon
Screenwriter: Samy Burch
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Project Infinity, Killer Films, Taylor & Dodge, Gloria Sanchez Productions, MountainA
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Drug Use|Language|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 2023, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2023
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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