Young Adult

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Young Adult

R

Released Dec 16, 2011

1h 34m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

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195 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) is a successful writer of teen literature who returns to her hometown with a dual mission: to relive her glory days and steal away her now-married high-school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson). However, her mission does not go exactly to plan, and she finds her homecoming more problematic than she expected. Instead, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt), who has also found it difficult to move past high school.

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Critics Consensus

Despite its somewhat dour approach, Young Adult is a funny and ultimately powerful no-holds-barred examination of prolonged adolescence, thanks largely to a convincing performance by Charlize Theron.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Charlize Theron is the self-absorbed central character in a script of such meticulous cruelty that it’s like watching someone pulling the legs off a spider.

Aug 2, 2022

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

With all the so-called well-intended chick flicks with squeaky clean endings, is it any wonder that we're starved to see a heroine who's not redeemed and holding hands with her frenemy by the end of a movie?

Rated: B+

Sep 8, 2017

Full Review

David Thomson

The New Republic

There has always been something so inward about [Theron;] she can seem detached or deprived. But here it's as if the script and the direction felt bound to heed that loneliness, and let the actress go with her bravery and the depressive sag of her mouth.

Jun 20, 2013

Full Review

Michael Leader

Den of Geek

Young Adult is easy to overlook, but once watched, it’s hard to forget.

May 3, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

As much as this film tries to be a mature, adult story, it’s still about teendom and high school hangups.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 1, 2023

Full Review

Josh Parham

Next Best Picture

There’s no denying the ultimate sadness and self-destruction that Mavis is enduring, and Cody’s script brings these themes to light with a playful yet meaningful perspective.

Rated: 7/10

May 27, 2022

Full Review

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Jeffrey P

A story, with an unlikeable lead character with no redemption arc, that somehow works.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/19/25

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Mark M

"Young Adult" is a joyless slog through the life of an irredeemable protagonist. Theron's performance can't save this mean-spirited, emotionally stunted film that wallows in unlikability without purpose or payoff. A depressing waste of talent. 5 out of 10 🤙 from this guy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

Full Review

Julian S

A powerful and compelling performance from Theron that is both sharply dark and humorous. While it may not be a film you’ll want to watch on repeat, its resonance may leave you thinking about it from time to time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/06/24

Full Review

rosadobber a

You have to have more tolerance for drunks and entitled attitudes than I do to watch this. Walked away before it ended, not caring where the lead character ends up. Simplistic plot.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/03/24

Full Review

Jennifer E

This was such an awful movie. There isn't anything humorous or redeeming. It was so bad it wasn't even acceptable as background noise.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/26/24

Full Review

Alexander G

Die von Charlize Theron gespielte Hauptfigur Mavis verhält sich in vielen Szenen zutiefst unreif, wehleidig und verantwortungslos. Ich vermute, dass es daran liegt, dass dieser Film so eine schlechte Bewerung durch die Zuschauer erhalten hat. Wahrscheinlich wollen viele Menschen diese Eigenschaften bei sich selbst nicht sehen. Und erst recht nicht bei einer sonst eher attraktive positive Figuren verkörpernden Schauspielerin wie Theron. Sie spielt ihre Figur tatsächlich mit einer solchen Intensität, dass es mir immer wieder Eingeweide zusammengezogen hat, ihr bei ihrem Niedergang zuzusehen. Aber das Eingestehen der Niederlage und die zumindest möglich scheinende neue Perspektive am Ende, geben der Krise einen Sinn und machen den Film sogar wertvoll für Menschen, die ebenfalls wie Therons Mavis glauben, ihre Schul- oder Studentenzeit sei die beste ihres Lebens gewesen. Wenn wir reifen, kann ein ganz neues Glück in unser Leben eintreten, was sich bei Mavis auch im zum Ende hin veränderten Verhalten ihrem Hund gegenüber zeigt.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/04/24

Full Review

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Jason Reitman

Director

Charlize Theron

Mavis Gary

Patton Oswalt

Matt Freehauf

Patrick Wilson

Buddy Slade

Elizabeth Reaser

Beth Slade

Jill Eikenberry

Hedda Gary

Young Adult: Official Clip - I'm An Alcoholic

1:52

Young Adult: Official Clip - Drunken Freakout

2:09

Young Adult: Official Clip - I Ruined My Dress

2:00

Young Adult: Official Clip - Mavis' Jealousy

2:14

Young Adult: Official Clip - She Made Me Invite You

1:57

Young Adult: Official Clip - Stolen Kiss

1:48

Young Adult: Official Clip - Hitting on Her Ex

2:13

Young Adult: Official Clip - You're Better Than This

2:02

Young Adult: Official Clip - You Need to Move on

2:12

Young Adult: Official Clip - Might As Well Die

2:12

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Young Adult: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) is a successful writer of teen literature who returns to her hometown with a dual mission: to relive her glory days and steal away her now-married high-school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson). However, her mission does not go exactly to plan, and she finds her homecoming more problematic than she expected. Instead, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt), who has also found it difficult to move past high school.

Director: Jason Reitman
Producer: Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, Diablo Cody, Mason Novick, Jason Reitman
Screenwriter: Diablo Cody
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Indian Paintbrush, Paramount Pictures, Denver and Delilah Productions, Mr. Mudd
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 2011, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Mar 13, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.3M
Runtime: 1h 34m

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