Private Life

Play trailer

2:45

Private Life

R

2018

2h 4m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

106 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

A couple coping with infertility struggle to keep their marriage going as they navigate through the world of adoption and assisted reproduction.

Watch on Netflix

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Private Life uses one couple's bumpy journey to take an affecting look at an easily identifiable - and too rarely dramatized - rite of adult passage.

Read Critics Reviews

Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

Private Life [is] such an affecting-and ultimately devastating-work.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 26, 2018

Full Review

Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Kayli Carter bridges the ache and absurdity and becomes the movie's salvation, just as her character, Sadie, tries to be.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 26, 2018

Full Review

Mara Reinstein

Us Weekly

This lived-in and often-hilarious drama is a richly rewarding experience -and features a whopper of a closing shot.

Oct 22, 2018

Full Review

Erica Richards

InSession Film

The chemistry of the entire cast is fun to witness, Molly Shannon and John Caroll Lynch play Sadie's parents, and honestly have some of my favorite moments in the film.

Rated: A

Jul 8, 2024

Full Review

Natasha Alvar

MovieBabble

This movie gives us a taste of everything, though thankfully resisting the urge to be too tragic and lament the woe that is womanhood.

Rated: A-

Mar 7, 2021

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Jenkins ... is obviously capable and sensitive. Is there nothing she finds more pressing, perhaps more tragic and profound than the stories she has recounted so far?

Feb 11, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Hannah

Very entertaining and insightful. The 3 leads were terrific, especially Katherine Hahn.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/05/21

Full Review

M.A. L

Well written Well cast (mostly) Well acted, especially by Kayli Carter. Great location scouting. Great cinematography. I felt that I was watching the story of my own life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

Full Review

Kenzie B

I was glued to the screen for 2 hours. Paul is one of the best actors alive and definitely does this justice, along with his other 2 female costars. I love when movies don’t give up so easily giving you what you want. You keep hoping and hoping and hoping for them to conceive. & at the almost end, when Paul says he just doesn’t care anymore, feels so sad but then with the last shot of them waiting to meet their newest hope was just so beautiful. So breathtaking watching the credits roll, because it reminds you so much of real life and how real life is hardly ever fair. But it almost always worth the shot. Bravo!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

Full Review

Jonathan K

The script is the straw that stirs this drink, and it blends the acting and direction into quite a movie. The performances have a natural realism to them, an awkwardness or imperfectness that is so true to life. It's funny in moments and obviously affecting in others, but it's the film's ability to live in the mundanity, the presence, the unknown, and the unresolved that is what I'll remember most.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

Full Review

Maria de los Angeles M

Giamatti & Hahn, the duo you didn’t know you needed. Marvellous acting, Top cast. Touching story, a must.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/24

Full Review

Jesus F

Can't wait for Private Life II Twinsies!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Tamara Jenkins

Director

Paul Giamatti

Richard

Kathryn Hahn

Rachel

Kayli Carter

Sadie

Molly Shannon

Cynthia

John Carroll Lynch

Charlie

Downhill

36%

14%

Downhill

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Downhill

Please Give

85%

64%

Please Give

Watchlist

The Oranges

30%

32%

The Oranges

Watchlist

Together Together

90%

77%

Together Together

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Together Together

Synecdoche, New York

69%

71%

Synecdoche, New York

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

12 Critics Choose the Movie Scenes from Childhood that Scarred Them For Life

Best Movies Off the Radar 2018

Hardy Rises, but Venom Sinks Like a Brock

Private Life: Trailer 1

2:45

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

A couple coping with infertility struggle to keep their marriage going as they navigate through the world of adoption and assisted reproduction.

Director: Tamara Jenkins
Producer: Stefanie Azpiazu, Anthony Bregman
Screenwriter: Tamara Jenkins
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Likely Story
Rating: R (Language|Strong Sexual Content|Some Graphic Nudity)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 5, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 5, 2018
Runtime: 2h 4m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now