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The Forty-Year-Old Version

Play trailer 2:20 Poster for The Forty-Year-Old Version R 2020 2h 3m Comedy Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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99% Tomatometer 139 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Radha, a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. But when she foils what seems like her last shot at success, she's left with no choice but to reinvent herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime. The Forty-Year-Old Version follows Radha as she vacillates between the worlds of Hip Hop and theater on a quest to find her true voice.
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The Forty-Year-Old Version

The Forty-Year-Old Version

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Critics Consensus

The Forty-Year-Old Version opens a compelling window into the ebbs and flows of the artist's life -- and announces writer-director-star Radha Blank as a major filmmaking talent with her feature debut.

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Critics Reviews

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Violet Lucca Sight & Sound The Forty-Year-Old Version paints a loving portrait of parts of New York City that aren't represented with such care, if at all, in narrative films of this scale. Feb 12, 2021 Full Review Robert Daniels Polygon Everything about The Forty-Year-Old Version feels fresh. Feb 12, 2021 Full Review Soraya Nadia McDonald Andscape The Forty-Year-Old Version offers a refreshing, unpretentious and often hilarious take on middle-aged Black womanhood. Jan 20, 2021 Full Review Patrick Beatty ABC4 Utah It's a powerhouse film. Jul 23, 2025 Full Review Harry Solomons Loud and Clear Reviews The Forty-Year-Old Version may not land every punch it throws, but there’s a great deal to be taken from an incredibly fresh picture. Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 8, 2025 Full Review Brandon Stanwyck InSession Film Radha Blank’s film filled me with such strength. Jul 16, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gabriel E This movie is overrated, it is not bad but not great either. The whole movie is in black and white for no reason. This movie was released in 2020 not in 1940. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 09/01/25 Full Review PL W Slow and boring … great sleeping pill but as a movie nope Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/17/25 Full Review Dani R interesting take. get's a bit cliché and a loses tention sometimes. emotionally shallow. misses depth. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/13/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 2 hours and 3 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Some Drug Use, Brief Nudity, Sexual Content and Pervasive Language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 Full Review Taylor X Brilliant, everyone is the cast was great!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/11/25 Full Review Peter K Well done in every aspect: this 'work of heart' will leave you with a smile on your face! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/15/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Radha, a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. But when she foils what seems like her last shot at success, she's left with no choice but to reinvent herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime. The Forty-Year-Old Version follows Radha as she vacillates between the worlds of Hip Hop and theater on a quest to find her true voice.
Director
Radha Blank
Screenwriter
Radha Blank
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
Hillman Grad
Rating
R (Sexual Content|Pervasive Language|Brief Nudity|Some Drug Use)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 9, 2020
Runtime
2h 3m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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