When You Finish Saving the World

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2:24

When You Finish Saving the World

R

Released Jan 20, 2023

1h 28m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

63%

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155 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

Evelyn (Julianne Moore) has devoted herself to helping people in hard times, but she struggles to connect with her son Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard), an aspiring internet star oblivious to the problems of the world. As Evelyn attempts to become a parent figure to an unassuming teenager she meets at her shelter, and Ziggy fumbles through his pursuit of a brilliant and politically conscious young woman at his high school, this emotional comedy reveals a funny and sharply perceptive portrait of a mother and son who may seem at odds but who are more alike than either would care to admit.

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Critics Consensus

Its characters may be hard to take, but When You Finish Saving the World makes some cogent sociopolitical points.

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Rebecca Tucker

Globe and Mail

Does so much telling, and so little showing, that it’s hard not to walk away from the film feeling, frankly, talked down to.

Jan 27, 2023

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Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

The characters are broadly drawn and mostly broadly played, so much so that the film plays like a skit about clueless do-gooder liberals.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 25, 2023

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Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

Gentle, interwoven tensions... hold When You Finish Saving the World together, albeit just barely.

Jan 20, 2023

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Calum Baker

Radio Times

There is a sense of foregone conclusion to the story, but the central relationship is so confidently drawn that this rather familiar indie works naturally and honestly on its own terms.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 30, 2025

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Hayley Croke

Loud and Clear Reviews

Evelyn and Ziggy may come across as unlikeable, it’s clear Eisenberg has just written them as morally complex.

Oct 2, 2024

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Brittany Patrice Witherspoon

Pop Culture Reviews

It’s exactly the kind of film you’d expect from Jesse Eisenberg: a little bit of charm, a superfluous amount of awkward and intense frustration, yet the perfect amount of quietly loud moments that feel erratic yet sweet.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 15, 2024

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Daniella

SUCH A GOOD MOVIE BRO

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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CG

This is a very offbeat, yet funny and touching movie of both mother and son, who may or may not. realize that both are just the same chip of the old block. See it you will be pleasantly surprised.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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K M

Good movie about family dynamics.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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Helen

Good acting but very dry

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie shines so glamorously in my soul and makes me feel so alive. I was so sad when they took it off netflix. I watched it twice already. The songs, the complex characters, the strain between the mother and the son. Everything about this movie felt so real and raw and vulnerable.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

Jade S

this is an absolutely phenomenal movie and to me is very enjoyable to watch however it is indeed not for everyone. most of the people i have showed/shared this movie with have not been the biggest fans of it but i will continue to like it. this has to probably be my favorite movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

Full Review

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Jesse Eisenberg

Director

Julianne Moore

Evelyn

Finn Wolfhard

Ziggy

Billy Bryk

Kyle

Alisha Boe

Actor

Jay O. Sanders

Actor

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When You Finish Saving the World: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Evelyn (Julianne Moore) has devoted herself to helping people in hard times, but she struggles to connect with her son Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard), an aspiring internet star oblivious to the problems of the world. As Evelyn attempts to become a parent figure to an unassuming teenager she meets at her shelter, and Ziggy fumbles through his pursuit of a brilliant and politically conscious young woman at his high school, this emotional comedy reveals a funny and sharply perceptive portrait of a mother and son who may seem at odds but who are more alike than either would care to admit.

Director: Jesse Eisenberg
Producer: Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Emma Stone
Screenwriter: Jesse Eisenberg
Distributor: A24
Production Co: CAA Media Finance, Universal Films, Fruit Tree Media
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 2023, Wide
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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