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Paper Spiders

Play trailer 1:50 Poster for Paper Spiders PG Released May 7, 2021 1h 50m Drama Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 42 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Dawn (Lili Taylor) recently lost her husband and experiences growing anxiety as her daughter Melanie (Stefania Owen) plans to move away for college. An argument with a hostile new neighbor aggravates Dawn's mental condition, and she begins to show signs of paranoid delusions. Melanie attempts a series of interventions, but challenging Dawn's reality of persecution threatens to destroy their loving relationship. Melanie is forced to make the toughest of choices as she struggles to support her mother on the path toward recovery and healing. A bittersweet story about coming of age in the shadow of mental illness.
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Paper Spiders

Paper Spiders

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Critics Consensus

A coming-of-age drama that thoughtfully handles hard-hitting themes, Paper Spiders is anchored by heartbreaking performances from its leads.

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Critics Reviews

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Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News The screenplay from Natalie Shampanier is astute and purposeful. "Paper Spiders" doesn't put a happy face on any of this, but it does instill hope and understanding. Rated: 3.5/4 May 27, 2021 Full Review Guy Lodge Variety If the film's flirtations with full-tilt melodrama occasionally strain credibility, a pair of intuitive, thoughtfully inhabited performances pull proceedings back from the edge every time. May 25, 2021 Full Review Katie Walsh Los Angeles Times Personal experience brings a rare honesty and authenticity to this film about mental illness. May 7, 2021 Full Review Ezequiel Boetti Otroscines.com A film that avoids at all cost to fall into cheesiness. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 3/5 May 12, 2022 Full Review Jackie K. Cooper jackiekcooper.com Outstanding acting and a script that takes a sober look at mental illness. Rated: 6/10 Dec 20, 2021 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Drawing upon personal experiences, Paper Spiders benefits from Lili Taylor and Stefania LaVie Owen's performances. Nov 1, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (21) audience reviews
Peter W I stumbled across this movie and it is now in my top 10 list of favorites. It is undeniably powerful, heartbreaking, unforgettable, and overall just so well crafted. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/07/24 Full Review Tory C Paper Spiders is an incredibly powerful story, and is handled extremely realistically. It’s probably the best movie I watched this year. If anyone has experience with a friend or family member with mental illness, they would certainly be able to relate to the main character’s heartbreaking journey. 10/10 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/10/24 Full Review Cher C Where has this gem been hiding? Paper Spiders is a bitter sweet story that makes you feel empathy and compassion towards its characters. Its exquisitely told and well worth your time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/07/24 Full Review Amelia B This movie had me in tears! Love it! Heartfelt and raw. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/07/24 Full Review Paris J ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WOW. INCREDIBLE ACTING, THOUGHT PROVOKING STORY. JUST A BEAUTIFUL AND EMOTIONAL DRAMA. A FANTASTIC WATCH! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/29/24 Full Review Kevin L Stefania Owen is very good here. Lily Taylor was in and out with the melodrama for me. 3 stars Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Dawn (Lili Taylor) recently lost her husband and experiences growing anxiety as her daughter Melanie (Stefania Owen) plans to move away for college. An argument with a hostile new neighbor aggravates Dawn's mental condition, and she begins to show signs of paranoid delusions. Melanie attempts a series of interventions, but challenging Dawn's reality of persecution threatens to destroy their loving relationship. Melanie is forced to make the toughest of choices as she struggles to support her mother on the path toward recovery and healing. A bittersweet story about coming of age in the shadow of mental illness.
Director
Inon Shampanier
Producer
Ash Christian, Anne Clements
Screenwriter
Natalie Shampanier
Distributor
Entertainment Squad
Production Co
Cranium Entertainment, Idiot Savant Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 7, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
May 7, 2021
Runtime
1h 50m
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