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When You Finish Saving the World

Play trailer 2:24 Poster for When You Finish Saving the World R Released Jan 20, 2023 1h 28m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
62% Tomatometer 154 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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When You Finish Saving the World

When You Finish Saving the World

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review Stephanie Zacharek TIME Magazine Gentle, interwoven tensions... hold When You Finish Saving the World together, albeit just barely. Jan 20, 2023 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Alan French Sunshine State Cineplex While Eisenberg’s debut is imperfect, When You Finish Saving the World shows promise. Eisenberg exceeds the expectations for the kinds of stories he wants to tell in this feature. Yet, he will find more success by trusting his audiences. Rated: 7/10 Apr 2, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Daniella SUCH A GOOD MOVIE BRO Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review 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 Full Review K M Good movie about family dynamics. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Helen Good acting but very dry Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Kyle M Jesse Eisenberg’s signature sharp, observative deliverance is spread through his directorial debut across characters sharing that mannerism with sociological insights amid poetic buildup being a nice touch to redeem the glaring disengagement, while both Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard pulled it off typically, unconfidently and exceptionally. (B) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/13/24 Full Review Anonymous D This reminded me so much of certain people I know, and was thought provoking. Recommend Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/11/24 Full Review Read all reviews
When You Finish Saving the World

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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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