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‘Long Story Short’ Review: Fast Forward to the End

After his wedding night, a workaholic gets cursed with previewing how his life will turn out, one year at a time.

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By Nicolas Rapold

The British TV comedy “Spaced” had a recurring bit where Simon Pegg would half-apologetically remind his chatty friend to hurry up her story: “Skip to the end?” The same urge came to mind while watching the Australian romantic comedy “Long Story Short,” which is like a recurring bit at feature length.

It’s a what-if story: Teddy (Rafe Spall), a workaholic, gets cursed with previewing how his life will turn out, one year at a time. The fast-forwarding starts after his wedding night. He wakes up to find his wife, Leanne (Zahra Newman), pregnant and their house fully furnished. Baffled, he asks surprised questions and gets surprised responses. Soon he’s leaping to another year, and another, and another. The baby becomes a toddler; Leanne’s frustrations with Teddy worsen; separation, an old flame, and a robust bearded period for Teddy follow.

Spall summons a kind of early Ryan Reynolds haplessness, talking a mile a minute while catching up. But a sheepish pall steadily creeps over the whole endeavor (written and directed by Josh Lawson, who’s also in the movie), and it doesn’t help that the wanly drawn Leanne could use her own movie to snap out of her own character’s malaise independently.

The dangers of going through life on autopilot are clear early on, though the movie gives Teddy’s buddy Sam (Ronny Chieng) cancer to drive the lesson home. It’s a bit of a torturous premise for Teddy — one long I-told-you-so — and even though Lawson shows mercy by the end, I began to wish the bliss of total day-to-day oblivion for the guy.

Long Story Short Rated R. Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes. In theaters and available to rent or buy on Apple TV , Google Play and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators.

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Long Story Short review – Josh Lawson’s time-bending romcom lands with a hollow ‘YOLO’

Zahra Newman and Rafe Spall star in a strangely prescient time-loop romcom with a distractingly limited scope

E ver felt like you’ve lost a whole year of your life in the blink of an eye? This is the relatable – and strangely prescient – premise of Australian actor Josh Lawson’s second feature film, Long Story Short.

On paper, it sounds like a perfect post-Covid movie: a charming high-concept romcom that offers timely introspection about seizing the day. What better way to welcome back cinemagoers who find themselves mysteriously 12 months older since their last visit?

But on the screen, it never quite lives up to the potential of its own idea. Long Story Short feels claustrophobic and rushed, hamstrung by its Groundhog Day plot mechanics. There are plenty of laughs throughout but, as they’re never quite married with the film’s sickly sentimentality, the romcom’s grand ideas about life and love land with a hollow “YOLO” (the term is used more than once, not always ironically).

Though Harold Ramis’ iconic film gets mentioned a few times throughout, Long Story Short owes more to A Christmas Carol (and its various descendants) than Groundhog Day. Teddy (Rafe Spall), an apparent serial procrastinator, isn’t doomed to repeat the same day forever. Instead he’s racing through time, jumping forward to his next wedding anniversary, every few minutes.

This “gift” – given to him by a mysterious stranger (Noni Hazlehurst) in a graveyard – shows him the error of his ways. Or, at least, it tells us all about them. In each annual snapshot, Teddy’s new wife Leanne (Zahra Newman) narrates the state of their struggling marriage. The main problem, she says, is that he’s always at work, never making commitments to his home life. But paradoxically, we don’t ever actually see him at work – almost the entire film occurs within their family home. We don’t even know what his job is.

This detail gets a winking acknowledgment at the end of the film but it’s a distracting omission, especially when combined with all the sweeping drone shots of this young couple’s beachside property in Bronte . What does this guy do for a living?

There’s a similar sense of disconnection with the relationship itself. The film rushes to cover 10 years in 95 minutes, so we get very little introduction to Teddy and Leanne’s life before this point. It’s hard to feel that invested in a crumbling love story when you’ve only seen the couple happy once, on their wedding day.

Newman, whom Guardian Australia has previously called “one of Australia’s most remarkable actors”, does a fine job with what little she’s given. Spall has a winsome, manic energy that carries the film’s consistent comedy (although attempts at anything outside that are weirdly mawkish). And Ronny Chieng is a welcome presence, adding his trademark acerbic touch as Teddy’s best friend.

With such a small cast – there are only a couple of other actors, including a cameo by Lawson – Long Story Short almost seems like a Covid production: a tiny, tactical shoot to keep the industry going in tough times. But it was actually filmed in the tail-end of 2019. Lawson has explained the film’s scope was so small because of budget constraints.

“Getting money for film is really, really tricky so I wrote this primarily indoors with a small amount of actors to really just minimise the budget and try and get this made,” the film-maker told The AU Review . “I was so frustrated I couldn’t make a movie after The Little Death .” (His debut film was another decent comedy showcase that didn’t quite translate to a satisfying whole'.)

With that in mind, it’s hard not to imagine a better version of Long Story Short – one that was given a bit more time to develop the dramatic elements of the script and a bit more production money too, at least enough for Teddy to travel beyond a few blocks of his house.

Unfortunately we didn’t get that movie and it falls short when compared with the other time-loop romcoms hitting our screens. If you really want to embrace the infinite wisdom of “YOLO”, there are better ways to spend your time this Valentine’s Day.

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Long story short, common sense media reviewers.

Playful romcom about life priorities has lots of swearing.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Make time for those you love. Sometimes when somet

Romantic comedy from a male perspective, reflectin

Story revolves around love and marriage. Sexual re

"F--k" used frequently. Also "a--hole," "bitch," "

Flashy sports car bought to express "YOLO."

Champagne toasts at a celebration.

Parents need to know that Long Story Short is a romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist that's about appreciating those we love by giving them our time and attention. The morning after his wedding, Teddy's (Rafe Spall) life keeps jumping forward a year every few minutes, letting him peek into how his life is…

Positive Messages

Make time for those you love. Sometimes when something "bad" happens to you, something can be learned from the experience to bring good into your life.

Positive Role Models

Romantic comedy from a male perspective, reflecting a man who expresses his emotions. Women and men, even ones who are comically Mr. and Ms. Wrong, are shown as rational, reasonable, and patient (though male characters have more agency than female ones). Diverse characters.

Violence & Scariness

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Story revolves around love and marriage. Sexual references/implications.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

"F--k" used frequently. Also "a--hole," "bitch," "s--t," "slut." "Oh God! and "Jesus" used as exclamations.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Drinking, drugs & smoking.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Long Story Short is a romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist that's about appreciating those we love by giving them our time and attention. The morning after his wedding, Teddy's ( Rafe Spall ) life keeps jumping forward a year every few minutes, letting him peek into how his life is affected by misplaced priorities. While this is a love story for adults, the message certainly extends to families and friendships. It's a romance that's told from the male point of view, and Teddy isn't afraid to express his emotions. The female characters are a mixed bag -- they don't have as much agency as the male characters, but they're portrayed as reasonable, intelligent, and mature. Other than notably strong language -- especially many uses of "f--k" -- iffy content is minimal. Expects some kissing and frisky newlywed talk, as well as a couple of morning-after scenes in which characters are dressed. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Community Reviews

• Parents say (1)

Based on 1 parent review

Amazing movie! i recommend for 13 because of bad words.

What's the story.

In LONG STORY SHORT, Teddy ( Rafe Spall ) falls in love with Leanne (Zahra Newman) but puts off marriage because he's too busy. Observing their predicament, a mysterious stranger gifts Teddy a true wedding "present." The morning after his marriage, Teddy's life starts jumping forward a year every few minutes, letting him peek into how his life is affected by misplaced priorities.

Is It Any Good?

Josh Lawson 's romantic comedy about a wedding present for a guy whose priorities are askew is a truly funny, heartwarming comedy. Nothing is unusual about the way Teddy is written: He's a slightly more evolved man-child. But the way Spall plays Teddy makes him mesmerizing and connects us to his plight. Spall is one of Edgar Wright' s mainstays, and Teddy's droll banter with his love (Newman), best friend ( Ronny Chieng ), and ex ( Dena Kaplan ) is reminiscent of the authentic yet hilarious style we've come to love from Wright's dynamic duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

Yes, there are plenty of the expected romcom elements in Long Story Short . But even as Teddy gets weary of his forced time-jumping, the concept never feels forced, and the story doesn't get tired. Sure, the busy partner/parent who's too career obsessed to enjoy the true loves of his life is a total cliche, except for one thing: It's a real-life trap that many people get sucked into. The time-travel romance genre continues to prove that getting swept away in a fantasy that somehow relates to our own lives is an effective device. The place where a lack of creativity is felt is in the script's overreliance on "f--k" as an adjective, noun, verb, and adverb. It's the only thing that prevents this film from being appropriate for a broader age range. Persistent profanity in dialogue that would othewise be smart? Now, that's tired.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about Long Story Short 's message concerning the value of family and interpersonal relationships as compared to work and career.

Why are time travel movies popular? What makes them work well in the romance genre? How does this one compare to others you've seen in this category?

Adults: If you knew then what you know now about life, what -- if anything -- would you change?

Families can also talk about how life can throw us curveballs that feel like a nightmare, as Teddy expressed, but often turn out to work out for the better. How can we keep this in mind as we're facing challenges?

Movie Details

• In theaters : July 2, 2021
• On DVD or streaming : July 2, 2021
• Cast : Rafe Spall , Zahra Newman , Ronny Chieng
• Director : Josh Lawson
• Inclusion Information : Asian actors
• Studio : Saban Films
• Genre : Romance
• Topics : Friendship
• Run time : 90 minutes
• MPAA rating : R
• MPAA explanation : language throughout
• Last updated : February 17, 2023

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Substance & Meaningful Entertainment

Against gossip & scandal, independent media network, global stories from local perspective, factual culture news, a ‘long story short’ emphasizes how important it is to live your life to the fullest.

Danessa Naj’e Lopez has an intense passion for pop-culture and cinema. Writing and indulging in current events have always been Danessa ‘s favorite pastimes since childhood. She takes her time analyzing media, then contextualizing her thoughts in a tasteful, factual, and respectful manner for all readers to enjoy.  Danessa enjoys sparking interest and perspective in readers, challenging them to engage in a positive discourse surrounding a topic she may cover. She hopes to share her knowledge and spread her love for media to readers – like you!

Jul 5, 2021

Photo: ‘Long Story Short’/StudioCanal

Mixed Genres, And Mixed Reviews

I have recently had the pleasure of viewing the Australian romantic comedy and science fiction film, ‘Long Story Short’ . The film was released July 2nd of this year, and despite receiving 6.5/10 stars on ‘IMDb’ and a 41% on ‘Rotten Tomatoes’ , it already has some promising written reviews from critics. ‘Long Story Short’ has been both distributed and produced by the Australian production company, ‘StudioCanal’ , amongst other international companies such as ‘Screen Australia’ , ‘Create NSW’ , ‘Saban Films’ , and ‘Spectrum Films’ . The film features well known English actor, Rafe Joseph Spall who is better known for his roles in films such as, the 2012 epic, ‘Life of Pi’ , the 2012 sci-fi/ horror film, ‘Prometheus’ , and the 2019 revival of action/ sci-fi film, ‘Men In Black: International’ , amongst many other recognizable productions. 

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Spall’s on-screen companion is played by Australian actress, Zahra Newman . Newman has had roles in her fair share of dramas such as the 2020 romantic drama, ‘I Met a Girl’ , and the 2019 comedy, ‘Diary of an Uber Driver’ . The film’s director, Josh Lawson , is primarily an actor himself, as he not only played a small role in ‘Long Story Short’, but he is currently playing the role of Kano in the 2021 ‘Mortal Kombat’ film. I made the mistake of assuming that this film was low-budget, or amateur, just because I hadn’t recognized any of the actors initially. I was humbled and educated once I realized that this was not an American film. I then became worried about how I could access this in theaters near me. No need to fear, the internet saved me from a long trip, again. 

‘Long Story Short’ – Catch It In Theaters, or Through Streamers

I am so fortunate that I was able to access this movie on the digital video store, and streaming service, ‘Vudu’ . The film was not free, but it was available to rent for only seven dollars. There was also the option to buy this film for thirteen dollars. I was pretty surprised to see that it was even available for streaming, considering it has just been released in theaters. I believe that this is due to the ongoing covid restrictions with theaters, causing the production to find different avenues for revenue. The story follows a serial procrastinator by the name of Teddy, who is newly married to his wife, Leanne.

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A strange curse is put upon him which forces him to jump through time. Teddy jumps exactly one year ahead, on his wedding anniversary, every few minutes. What starts off as a mild confusion, quickly reaches a point of hysteria with each anniversary that passes. He recognizes all of the important milestones he has missed. He watches as the relationships most important to him, fall right through his fingertips without him having any control over it. Despite all of his despair, Teddy must pull himself together, and come up with a plan to reverse the hands of time, and win his life back.

Initially, what drew me toward this film was the idea of incorporating science fiction elements into a romantic comedy. I’m sure it is not the first to have blended two completely different genres in this way, but it was an idea that I personally found that to be really unique. I  wondered how the writers and producers would go about formulating this story, and whether or not they would be able to pull this off. What kept me interested in this film was the amazingly talented actors and actresses. One of my favorite things about an actor’s performance is subtlety. The leads of the film had a chemistry that felt almost too realistic for comfort. So, when they aren’t in a good place, it feels much more heart-wrenching and impactful for the viewers. 

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I was so grossly immersed and invested in both their marriage and Teddy’s personal journey throughout the years. This is probably the first time I have ever rooted for a couple since reading ‘Romeo and Juliet’ . So, yes. It has been a very long time since I’ve actually felt the romance in a romantic film. The credit can’t go to just the talent, though. The writers did an awesome job with the storyline and the dialogue, while the director brought the vision to life. Typically, romantic comedies follow couples that are in a very complicated, and toxic entanglement , if you will. However, This film demonstrates a very realistic, wholesome, loving dynamic between the two lovers, despite their shortcomings. It was very refreshing to see, especially between an interracial relationship. 

There’s Much To Take Away

So, to make a long story short, I absolutely loved the film ‘Long Story Short’. Sure, it reminded me of other films I’ve seen, for instance, the 2006 comedy ‘Click’ , starring Adam Sandler , ‘Groundhog Day’ starring Bill Murray , or even ‘Palm Springs’ , starring Andy Samberg . However, I would say that this film felt more meaningful than the others. It was meant to be comedic, but there was something about the protagonist’s hopelessness as he realizes his life is falling apart, that deeply resonated with me. I know I say this about a lot of different films that I review here, but it is always true.

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I was not expecting to like this movie as much as I did. It made me genuinely laugh, and at moments, I genuinely teared up as well. The film has received nothing but great reviews from others who have watched it, and I am honestly glad to see it. It is so easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lifestyles, that it becomes so easy to lose sight of what really matters. This film offers a great lesson on the importance of realizing what you have in front of you before it is too late. We cannot waste any moment with our friends, families, or significant others. I definitely feel inspired to just do something after watching this film, and I am sure others would be able to relate. I would recommend this film for a laugh, and a lesson.

Cast & Crew: 

Cast: Rafe Spall, Zahra Newman, Ronnie Chieng, Dena Kaplan, Cheyenne Gunn, Ameila Scurrah, Noni Hazelhurst, Genevieve Vasdeva, Jordan Lawson

Director: Josh Lawson

Producer(s): Sonia Borella, Will Gammon, Jamie Hilton, Josh Lawson, Josh Pomeran, Michael Pontin, Isabel Stanfield, Charlie Tynan 

Writer(s): Josh Lawson |  Cinematography: Matt Toll |  Composition: Chiara Costanza |  Editor(s): Kasra Rassoulzadegan 

By Danessa Naj’e Lopez

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Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, the short history of the long road.

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Ani Simon-Kennedy ’s bittersweet road trip drama “The Short History of the Long Road” is a journey without a destination. Where you think it’s headed, it’s not. What you think will happen to its lead character Nola ( Sabrina Carpenter ), doesn’t. There are gentle surprises in the trip’s unexpected turns and setbacks, and thankfully, Simon-Kennedy knows where she’s going. 

Teenaged Nola and her dad Clint ( Steven Ogg ) share a rambling existence roaming the American Southwest in an old van, helping themselves to the occasional dip in a pool that isn’t theirs, singing along to early '60s pop songs and working odd repair gigs to make ends meet. Clint wants his daughter to learn how to live an independent life with nothing to tie her down or hold her back, but it’s a lonely life with its own set of problems. When Clint suddenly dies, the movie leaves behind the cute father-daughter story and shifts gears towards a painful coming-of-age tale. Nola will have to make sense of the loss on her own and figure how she, still only a minor, will survive on her dad’s life lessons. 

Simon-Kennedy, who wrote and directed “The Short History of the Long Road,” sets up Nola to win the audience’s sympathy. She shows us what Nola’s lost when her dad dies, and we get a glimpse of their counterculture worldview, helping us understand why she wants to keep his memory alive by staying on the road. For them, living off-the-grid means no family or support system in place to step in when tragedy strikes, so Nola is left to fend for herself not just physically and financially but emotionally as well. The character is so well-drawn out, her survival tactics thought out, that even though she still acts like a shy teenager at times, her fierce independence is never far from the surface. Sometimes, it even lands her in trouble. 

Bringing Nola to life would have been impossible were it not for Carpenter’s deeply felt performance. The former Disney Channel star embraces the unkempt look of living on the road, without any glamor or heavy makeup and her hair so disheveled, it looks like she lost her brush weeks ago. Her performance is similarly understated but eye-catching. Carpenter’s eyes tell the story she can’t tell strangers. It’s written on her frightened eyes and forlorn face. The sporadic outbursts of anger and grief make her feel genuine. She’s trying to pass off as a grown-up, but she’s still only a scared child behind the wheel of a very big van. 

During her journey, Nola comes to learn a few lessons of her own. She has to rely on the kindness of strangers without her dad there to intervene if things go south. She learns the hard way that sometimes the kindness of strangers has its limits. A few times in the movie, Nola tries to settle down and imagine putting down roots for the time being, but the road and the memory of her father call her back when she doesn’t fit in. It’s a different kind of fish-out-of-water story, where instead of failing to fit in with classmates or other people her age, she just doesn’t feel like she fits in any home. 

Fortunately, Nola meets some strangers who really do care about her, including Miguel, a mechanic played by Danny Trejo in a charming performance. Like a few of his other roles, he’s a grizzled tough guy at first but eventually softens up and cracks jokes. Nola befriends another girl her age named Blue (Jashaun St. John) who’s stuck in an abusive home and wants to escape to her aunt on a Navajo reservation. Their friendship, awkward at first but then warm and talkative, helps Nola realize she can use her independence to help other misfits like her.  

While it has its share of bumps, “The Short History of the Long Road” is mostly an enjoyable ride. Between Simon-Kennedy’s writing and Carpenter’s performance, Nola makes for a compelling character, gently pushing the story along at her own steady pace. Sometimes she lucks into a stranger who will pay for her gas station hotdogs; other times, a stranger will leave her with only a scolding. There are childish outbursts she’ll have to atone for later and moments where she learns to stand up for herself. Throughout the film, she wrestles between the extremes of her dad’s self-sufficient lone wolf worldview and the desire to find a new home. The movie doesn’t give her an easy answer but rather measures the benefits and downsides to both in Nola’s eyes. The only answer is for her to make her own path, wherever that might take her.

Monica Castillo

Monica Castillo is a critic, journalist, programmer, and curator based in New York City. She is the Senior Film Programmer at the Jacob Burns Film Center and a contributor to  RogerEbert.com .

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The concert film will premiere in theaters on Sunday, June 11, with special encore presentations on June 13 and 14.

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Willie Nelson , Blackbird Presents, Mark Rothbaum, and Joe Hand Promotions have announced that Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 will be coming to cinemas.

The limited theatrical release will feature a selection of the most memorable moments and unforgettable collaborations from the star-studded two-day concert event celebrating Willie Nelson’s milestone 90th birthday . This historic concert film, recorded live on April 29 and 30 before a sold-out crowd at the legendary Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California, includes once-in-a-lifetime performances by Willie Nelson, Keith Richards, Snoop Dogg, George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, The Lumineers, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Jack Johnson, Billy Strings, and many more. The show will premiere in theaters on Sunday, June 11, with a special encore presentation on June 13 and 14.

The two-hour-plus limited release film will give fans the opportunity to re-live or experience for the first time this epic event described by USA Today as “headed for the concert history books.” Honoring the legacy of 12-time Grammy Award-winner, the scene at the Hollywood Bowl transcended genres, with Associated Press remarking “The parade of partners illustrated one of the night’s themes: Willie brings people together.”

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Earlier this week it was announced that a new book in which Willie Nelson talks about the background and inspiration for his best-loved songs, and lesser-known gems, will be published in late October. Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs is written by Nelson with celebrated biographer David Ritz and award-winning musician Mickey Raphael.

The publication will arrive on October 31, just before  Nelson’s induction  into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as celebrations of his recent 90th birthday continue. It features no fewer than 160 songs from his epic career, from his earliest work in the 1950s to the modern day.

It will offer stories about moments Nelson shared with  Patsy Cline , Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard,  Ray Charles , and other friends and collaborators, and memories of his guitar, fondly known as Trigger. The book is to be published in hardcover, e-book and audiobook formats by the HarperCollins imprint William Morrow.

Listen to the best of Willie Nelson on  Apple Music  and  Spotify .

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One of my favorite feel-good movies just crashed the Netflix top 10 — and it’s 95% on Rotten Tomatoes

S ometimes the right movie comes along at the right time, and that was definitely the case for me with “The Peanut Butter Falcon." This delightful comedy-drama appeared at a period in my life when I needed a little boost, and it provided just that. 

The movie celebrates its 5th anniversary later this year and has recently arrived on Netflix U.S. where it’s making quite an impression. As of Thursday, May 9, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is ranked No.6 in the Netflix most-watched list ahead of high-profile favorites like “Blended” and “The Equalizer” as well as pacing ahead of the terrible blockbuster “The Great Wall” (seriously, why is that in the streamer's top 10?) 

“The Peanut Butter Falcon” flew a little under the radar upon release in 2019, so I’m delighted it’s getting a richly deserved warm reception on Netflix. But if you want to know more before adding it to your watchlist, here’s why you need to watch this feel-good movie…

What is ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’ about? 

“The Peanut Butter Falcon” focuses on the unlikely friendship between a trio of likable characters. The heart of the movie is Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from his state-run care facility to chase an outlandish dream of becoming a professional wrestler under the guidance of his hero, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). 

On the road, Zak meets Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a small-time crook on the run from the law, and the two become fast friends. Tyler teaches Zak various life skills and takes up a role as his coach. Meanwhile, in pursuit of Zak is Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), a kind nursing home employee, who is convinced to join the pair on their journey. 

Alongside its three leads, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” also features John Hawkes, Bruce Dern, Jon Bernthal and even rapper Yelawolf. It’s an eccentric cast, and the range of talent involved suits the movie’s "band of misfits coming together" vibe.

‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’ reviews — here’s why critics love it 

“The Peanut Butter Falcon” was warmly embraced by critics. It holds an impressive 95% rating on the review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes , and its audience score is even higher at 96%. Those are the highest scores of any movie currently in the Netflix top 10, which is a real testament to the quality of this comedy-drama.   

Critics were particularly impressed with the performance of Shia LaBeouf. “This is LaBeouf at his best, stripped down to his bare elements and bookended by two luminous performances from Gottsagen and Johnson,” said Beth Webb of E mpire Magazine .

The Wrap ’s Yolanda Machado called it “A beautiful story about human connection, heroes, and finding the joy of simply living your truth” and Peter Debruge of Variety labeled it “A feel-good niche indie with its priorities in the right place.”

Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle was a little more mixed, but overall fell on the positive side of the scale: “‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’ is a nice little movie that barely goes anywhere, but audiences, in a certain mood, might be willing to drift along with it.”

Should you stream ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’ on Netflix?  

The short answer is yes, you should 100% stream “The Peanut Butter Falcon” on Netflix. 

It’s the perfect pick when you’ve had a less-than-stellar day and want a movie that will put a big smile on your face. Granted, its slow(ish) pacing might not appeal to viewers demanding a twist-every-minute thrill ride, but give it a chance and the movie’s engaging characters brought to life by wonderful performances will stay with you long after the credits roll. So long as you’re in the mood for something a little low-stakes, it’s hard to believe you won’t also come to love this charming flick. 

“The Peanut Butter Falcon” isn’t the only critical darling that has arrived on Netflix this month. Check out our roundup of all the new to Netflix movies with high RT scores for even more top movies on the world's most popular streaming service . 

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30 Highest Rated Movies of all Time: Movies With 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

For 23 years, Rotten Tomatoes has been the go-to for those looking to get the scoop on what is new in movies. Aggregating opinions from fans and critics across the country, Rotten Tomatoes uses its “Tomatometer” system to calculate critical reception for any given film. If 60% of reviews are positive, the movie is given a “Fresh” status, but if positive reviews fall below that benchmark, it is deemed “Rotten.” A popular piece of media will typically fall between the 70-90% range, but rarely, a project will receive a 100% score. This means every last review from critics was positive.

Close to 480 films with at least 20 reviews have achieved a 100% score, with many coming very close. Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird” had a 100% rating with 196 positive reviews before a critic submitted a negative one, knocking it down to 99%. The immortal classic “Citizen Kane” had a 100% rating until a negative review from a 1941 issue of the Chicago Tribune was rediscovered, revoking its 100% status.

Here are Rotten Tomatoes’ highest-rated movies that have managed to maintain a 100% score and have the highest number of reviews.

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

“The Philadelphia Story” is based on the 1939 Broadway play and follows a socialite whose wedding plans are complicated by the arrival of her ex-husband and a tabloid magazine journalist. Directed by George Cukor, he film stars Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart and Ruth Hussey.

“It’s definitely not a celluloid adventure for wee lads and lassies and no doubt some of the faithful watchers-out for other people’s souls are going to have a word about that,” Variety ‘s review said. “…All of which, in addition to a generous taste of socialite quaffing to excess and talk of virtue, easy and uneasy, makes “The Philadelphia Story” a picture every suburban mamma and poppa must see – after Junior and little Elsie Dinsmore are tucked away.”

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Christmas musical film “Meet Me in St. Louis” follows a year of the Smith family’s life in St. Louis leading up to the opening of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, known as the St. Louis World’s Fair, in the spring of 1904. The film stars Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Leon Ames, Marjorie Main, June Lockhart and Joan Carroll and directed by Vincente Minnelli, who Garland later married.

“‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ is wholesome in story [from the book by Sally Benson], colorful both in background and its literal Technicolor, and as American as the World’s Series,” Variety ‘s review said. “Garland achieves true stature with her deeply understanding performance, while her sisterly running-mate, Lucille Bremer, likewise makes excellent impact with a well-balanced performance.”

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

The musical romantic comedy “Singin’ In the Rain” follows three Hollywood stars in the late 1920s dealing with the transition from silent films to talkies. Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, the movie was one of the first 25 films selected by the U.S. Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry.

“‘Singin’ In the Rain’ is a fancy package of musical entertainment with wide appeal and bright grossing prospects,” Variety ‘s review said. “Concocted by Arthur Freed with showmanship know-how, it glitters with color, talent and tunes, and an infectious air that will click with ticket buyers in all types of situations.”

Seven Samurai (1954)

Epic samurai action film “Seven Samurai” follows the story of a village of farmers in 1586 who seek to hire samurai to protect their crops from thieves. The film was the most expensive movie made in Japan at the time.

“Director Akira Kurosawa has given this a virile mounting,” Variety ‘s review said. “It is primarily a man’s film, with the brief romantic interludes also done with taste. Each character is firmly molded. Toshiro Mifune as the bold, hairbrained but courageous warrior weaves a colossal portrait. He dominates the picture although he has an extremely strong supporting cast.”

The Terminator (1984)

Sci-fi action film “The Terminator” follows a cyborg assassin (Arnold Schwarzenegger) sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), whose son will one day save mankind from extinction from artificial intelligence, Skynet. Co-written and directed by James Cameron and co-written and produced by Gale Anne Hurd, the film topped the U.S. box office for two weeks and grossed $78.3 million.

“‘The Terminator,’ which opens today at Loews State and other theaters, is a B-movie with flair. Much of it, as directed by James Cameron (‘Piranha II’), has suspense and personality, and only the obligatory mayhem becomes dull,” wrote Janet Maslin in a New York Times review. “There is far too much of the latter, in the form of car chases, messy shootouts and Mr. Schwarzenegger’s slamming brutally into anything that gets in his way. Far better are the scenes that follow Sarah (Linda Hamilton) from cheerful obliviousness to the grim knowledge that someone horrible is on her trail.”

Toy Story (1995)

Animated comedy film “Toy Story” follows the first adventures of cowboy doll Woody and space cadet action figure Buzz Lightyear. Owned by a boy named Andy, Woody and Buzz are a part of a group of toys that spring to life when humans aren’t around. Birthed after the success of Pixar’s short film “Tin Toy,” “Toy Story” was the first feature film from Pixar and the first entirely computer-animated feature film.

“To swipe Buzz’s motto –“To infinity and beyond”–“Toy Story” aims high to go where no animator has gone before,” wrote Leonard Klady in a 1995 Variety film review . “Fears at mission control of the whole effort crashing to Earth proved unwarranted; this is one entertainment that soars to new heights.”

Toy Story 2 (1999)

“Toy Story 2” continues Woody and Buzz Lightyear’s journey as the co-leaders of the toy group. When Woody is stolen by a toy collector, Buzz and the other toys must find set out to find him. During his time with the collector, Woody meets Jessie and Stinky Pete, other toys also based on characters from the TV show “Woody’s Roundup.” The animated film was originally supposed to be a direct-to-video sequel, but was upgraded to a theatrical release by Disney.

“In the realm of sequels, “Toy Story 2″ is to “Toy Story” what “The Empire Strikes Back” was to its predecessor, a richer, more satisfying film in every respect,” wrote former chief film critic Todd McCarthy in a 1999 Variety film review . “The comparison between these two franchises will be pursued no further, given their utter dissimilarity. But John Lasseter and his team, their confidence clearly bolstered by the massive success of their 1995 blockbuster, have conspired to vigorously push the new entry further with fresh characters, broadened scope, boisterous humor and, most of all, a gratifying emotional and thematic depth.”

Deliver Us From Evil (2006)

“Deliver Us From Evil” is a documentary that follows the case of convicted pedophile Oliver O’Grady, who molested approximately 25 children as a priest in northern California between the late 1970s through early 1990s. Filmmaker Amy Berg tracks O’Grady down to Ireland, where he was deported after being convicted of child molestation in 1993 and serving seven years in prison.

“Given how strong this kind of testimony is, “Deliver Us From Evil’s” decision to hype it more than it needs to be is unfortunate,” L.A. Times film critic Kenneth Turan said about the film in a 2006 review. “The film has a weakness for over-dramatization, for unsettling music and portentous close-ups of O’Grady’s hands and lips that are distracting and unnecessary.”

“There is nothing over-dramatic, however, about the deeply painful testimony of the adults who were victimized as children and their still traumatized parents,” he continued. “’He was the closest thing to God that we knew,’ one mother says. ‘I let the wolf in through the gate.'”

Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)

“Taxi to the Dark Side” is a documentary film directed by Alex Gibney about the 2002 killing of an Afghan taxi drive named Dilawar, who was beaten to death by American soldiers while being detained without a trial and interrogated at a black site, a detention center operated by a state where prisoners are incarcerated without due process or court order.

The film was a part of the “Why Democracy?” series, produced by The Why Foundation, which consisted of 10 documentary films examining democracy.

“Gibney (“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room”) has crafted more than just an important document of systemic abuse — he’s stripped the rhetoric from official doublespeak to expose a callous disregard for not only the Geneva Conventions but the vision of the Founding Fathers,” writes Jay Weissberg in a Variety film review . “All enemies in wartime are perceived as animals, but Gibney uncovers the ways the White House and Pentagon have encouraged torture while distancing themselves from responsibility.”

Man on Wire (2008)

James Marsh’s “Man on Wire” documents the death-defining hire-wire stunts of Philippe Petit, who in 1974, performed a tightrope walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. “For contemporary audiences, Petit’s moment of mastery is inevitably shot through with a sense of loss; the following scenes, which reveal the band’s subsequent dissolution, reaffirm the bittersweet truth that triumph is but fleeting,” wrote Catherine Wheatley, who reviewed the film for Sight and Sound in 2010. “The film’s vision, though, is ultimately uplifting: relationships, like buildings, can collapse into rubble, but as [Annie Allix] tenderly puts it, sometimes ‘It is beautiful that way’.”

Poetry (2010)

Lee Chang-dong’s “Poetry” chronicles the life of Mija, a Korean grandmother who is simultaneously dealing with an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis and the violent crime committed by her teenage grandson. “Now is the time to bestow on yourself the gift of one of the most, well, poetic films of 2010,” Lisa Kennedy wrote for the Denver Post in 2011. “And by ‘poetic,’ we mean rich with soulful pauses that are at once visual and aural and deeply observant of the dance of routine and quiet surprise.”

Waste Land (2010)

Lucy Walker’s “Waste Land” follows modern artist Vik Muniz to Jardim Gramacho, Brazil, the world’s largest landfill. There, he photographs the work of “catadores,” men and women who collect the refuse to recreate classical art. Legendary film critic Roger Ebert wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times in 2011, “I do not mean to make their lives seem easy or pleasant. It is miserable work, even after they grow accustomed to the smell. But it is useful work, and I have been thinking much about the happiness to be found by work that is honest and valuable.”

The Square (2013)

“The Square” is a documentary film by Jehane Noujaim, which follows Egyptian revolutionaries during the Egyptian Crisis, a period that started with the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 at Tahrir Square and lasted for three years. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and won three Emmys.

“Continuing to follow a group of activists as they rally against the undue powers of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Army, ‘The Square’ understands that the Revolution itself is a work in progress, and while its immediacy means it, too, will soon be superseded, it stands as a vigorous, useful account,” writes Jay Weissberg in a 2013 Variety film review .

Gloria (2013)

Sebastián Lelio’s “Gloria” follows the relationship between an aging divorce and an amusement park operator after their chance encounter at a singles disco. “With someone else in the central role, ‘Gloria’ might have been cloyingly sentimental or downright maudlin,” wrote Joe Morgenstern in his 2014 Wall St. Journal review. “With [Paulina García] on hand, it’s a mostly convincing celebration of unquenchable energy.”

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2014)

Isao Takahata’s “The Tale of Princess Kaguya” tells the fable of a beautiful young woman who sends her suitors away on impossible tasks in hopes of avoiding a loveless marriage. In a 2015 review for Sight and Sound, Andrew Osmond wrote, “While the characters feel very simplified at times, there are scenes that put great weight on performance and subtle expressions, in a way that’s nearer to the classical Disney tradition than most Japanese animation.”

Seymour: An Introduction (2014)

Ethan Hawke’s documentary “Seymour: An Introduction” chronicles the life of Seymour Bernstein, a concert pianist who, at age 50, gave up performing to become an educator and composer. “Coming off of his superb one-two performances for Richard Linklater in ‘Before Midnight’ and ‘Boyhood,’ Hawke continues to work at a creative high level,” wrote Bruce Ingram in his 2015 review for the Chicago Sun-Times. “He demonstrates a rapport and openness with his subject that proves exceptionally affecting.”

Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (2014)

From directors Ronit and Shlomi Elkabetz, “Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem” follows an Israeli woman’s three-year battle to separate from her husband who refuses to dissolve their marriage. “Ultimately the movie is wearying, but then it’s likely supposed to be,” Tom Long wrote for Detroit News in 2015. “If Viviane’s going through the wringer, you’re going through the wringer too.”

One Cut of the Dead (2017)

Shin’ichirô Ueda’s “One Cut of the Dead” follows Director Higurashi and his crew who attempt to shoot a zombie movie at an abandoned WWII Japanese facility. Things go wrong when they realize they are being attacked by real zombies. In his 2019 Los Angeles Times review, Carlos Aguilar called the film, “A master class in endless narrative inventiveness and an ode to the resourceful and collaborative spirit of hands-on filmmaking, ‘One Cut of the Dead’ amounts to an explosively hilarious rarity.”

Leave No Trace (2018)

Debra Granik’s “Leave No Trace” follows a father and daughter hiding in the forests of Portland, Ore. When a misstep tips off their location to local authorities, they must escape and find a new place to call home. Peter Travers wrote in his 2018 Rolling Stone review, “Debra Granik’s drama about a damaged war vet (Ben Foster) living off the grid with his teen daughter, brilliantly played by breakout star Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, is hypnotic, haunting and one of the year’s best.”

Summer 1993 (2018)

Carla Simón’s “Summer 1993” is told through the eyes of six-year-old Frida, who watches in silence as her recently deceased mother’s last possessions are packed into boxes. “Some creatures are able to grow new limbs,” wrote Joe Morgenstern in his 2018 Wall Street Journal review. “Frida, given more than half a chance after demanding it, achieves something no less remarkable. She grows new joy and hope.”

Minding the Gap (2018)

“Minding the Gap” follows the relationship of three boys who use skateboarding as an outlet to escape their hardships at home. “The film captures more than a decade long documentary footage showcasing their friendship. In some documentaries, the filmmakers attempt to make themselves invisible. Despite Liu’s camera-shyness, he never pretends to be anything other than a part of the story, hitting his subjects with direct, deeply personal questions,” wrote Peter Debruge, who reviewed the film for Variety in 2018.

Honeyland (2019)

“Honeyland” is a Macedonian documentary film that was directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov. The movie follows a woman and her beekeeping traditions to cultivate honey in the mountains of North Macedonia. Guy Lodge from Variety describes “Honeyland” as it begins as a “calm, captured-in-amber character study, before stumbling upon another, more conflict-driven story altogether — as younger interlopers on the land threaten not just Hatidze’s solitude but her very livelihood with their newer, less nature-conscious farming methods,” he said.

Welcome to Chechnya (2020)

“Welcome to Chechnya” released in 2020, exposes Russian leader Ramzan Kadyrov and his government as they try to detain, torture and execute LGBTQ Chechens. “A vital, pulse-quickening new documentary from journalist-turned-filmmaker David France that urgently lifts the lid on one of the most horrifying humanitarian crises of present times: the state-sanctioned purge of LGBTQ people in the eponymous southern Russian republic,” wrote Guy Lodge from Variety in 2020.

Crip Camp (2020)

“Crip Camp” is based on Camp Jened, which was a summer camp for teens with disabilities in the ’70s that inspired real-life activism. The film eliminates stereotypes and challenges the way people think about disabilities. “It may be startling for those who haven’t spent time with people with cerebral palsy or polio to see how a paraplegic gets from his wheelchair into the pool,” wrote Peter Debruge for Variety in 2020. “On closer inspection, it becomes clear that these teenagers…are having the time of their lives.”

76 Days (2020)

“76 Days” is a documentary released on Netflix in 2020 that shows the struggles of medical professionals and patients in Wuhan, China dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. “As an artifact alone, the result is remarkable, capturing all the panic and pragmatism greeting a disaster before its entire global impact had been gauged, while strategies and protocols are adjusted on the hoof,” wrote Guy Lodge for Variety in 2020. “That it’s so artfully and elegantly observed, and packs such a candid wallop of feeling, atop its frontline urgency is testament to the grace and sensitivity of its directorial team, not just their timely savvy.”

His House (2020)

“His House” is a horror movie that initially released on Netflix and terrified audiences. The plot follows a refugee couple that try to create a new life for themselves in an English town by escaping South Sudan but find their new home is haunted. Jessica Kiang reviewed the film for Variety in 2020 and wrote “‘His House’ is at its most persuasively terrifying when it gets out of the house and into the existential terror of reality. Out there are aspects of the refugee experience that contain greater horrors and mortifications than all the blackening plaster, childish ghostly humming and skittering presences in the walls could ever hope to suggest.”

Quo Vadis, Aida? (2020)

“Quo Vadis, Aida?” documents the journey of Aida, a translator for the U.N. in Srebrenica interpreting the crime taking place when the Serbian army takes over the Bosnian town. “This is not historical revisionism, if anything, ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ works to un-revise history, re-centering the victims’ plight as the eye of a storm of evils — not only the massacre itself, but the broader evils of institutional failure and international indifference,” wrote Jessica Kiang, who reviewed the film in 2020 for Variety.

Hive (2021)

“Hive” tells the true story about a woman, Fahrije, who becomes an entrepreneur, after her husband goes missing during the Kosovo War. She sells her own red pepper ajvar and honey, and recruiting more women to join her. “Within the heavily patriarchal hierarchy of the country’s rural society, this places these maybe-widows in an impossible situation, especially when, like Fahrije, they have a family to care for,” writes Jessica Kiang for Variety . “They are expected to wait in continual expectation of their breadwinner-husbands’ return, subsisting on paltry welfare handouts, because to take a job or set up a business is looked on not only as a subversion of the natural order, but as a sign of disrespect to the husband and possibly loose morals.” 

Descendant (2022)

Netflix described its 2022 film, saying, “Descendants of the enslaved Africans on an illegal ship that arrived in Alabama in 1860 seek justice and healing when the craft’s remains are discovered.” “This past remains present, Brown shows, as activists explain how the land on which Africatown (formerly Magazine Point) was established once belonged to Meaher, who sold some of it to former slaves.,” wrote Peter Debruge for Variety . “Talk of racial injustice calls for nuance, and it’s impressive just how many facets of the conversation Brown is able to include in her film.”

20 Days in Mariupol (2023)

“20 Days in Mariupol” tells the story of a group of Ukrainian journalists who are trapped in Mariupol during the Russian invasion and struggle to continue documenting the war. The film is directed by Mstyslav Chernov, a Ukrainian director and it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film in 2024. “Powerful as those glimpses were to international viewers, Chernov doesn’t spare his documentary more brutally sustained moments,” wrote Dennis Harvey for Variety . “There’s no political analysis or sermonizing here, just a punishingly up-close look at the toll of modern warfare on a population.”

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8 Things To Know About The New Season Of Doctor Who

What can we expect from the latest iteration of the long-running fan-favorite series showrunner russell t. davies and stars ncuti gatwa and millie gibson offer an inside look..

TAGGED AS: doctor who , Sci-Fi , streaming

Although Doctor Who ’ s 60-year history might seem daunting to a viewer unfamiliar with the venerable British sci-fi series, it is, in fact, very approachable. Periodic changes to the cast and production team offer ample opportunity to reset the clock and reintroduce key details to a younger or newer audience. And on May 10, the show will experience one of its most important refreshes as it joins the Disney+ constellation. When Rotten Tomatoes caught up with new stars Ncuti Gatwa (The Doctor) and Millie Gibson (Ruby Sunday), they agreed that it feels, as Gibson put it, like “a whole new era.”

“[The scripts] were so ambitious,” Gatwa added. “We’ve not seen this scale of things on British TV. So this feels like there’s a whole new energy coming through.”

But as Doctor Who fans are known for certain proprietary feelings toward the show, many are concerned about Disney’s role in bringing the energy Gatwa mentioned to The Doctor’s latest adventures. So, we’ve put together a guide to what newcomers and seasoned fans need to know about the new era of Doctor Who .

The Basics Of The Doctor

(Photo by Disney+)

Doctor Who , at its core, is about a time-traveling alien known only as The Doctor. Their name is as mysterious as their origins and why they left the planet they once called home. The Doctor travels in a capsule that’s bigger on the inside known as the TARDIS. Disguised as a 1960s British police box prop, it can go anywhere in space and time (except when it can’t). And when grievously injured, The Doctor’s body regenerates, but it also changes its appearance and alters their personality. Armed with these abilities and tools, The Doctor and a lucky human (or two) gad about and see the universe.

Of course, there are many nuances to the above brief — several of which are covered in the premiere episode of the new season, “Space Babies,” written by executive producer Russell T. Davies . When we talked to Davies, he said the elements of lore covered in the episode felt like a “natural” inclusion.

“I was obviously aware professionally that we’re on a new platform, that this would be a big launch, that Ruby Sunday is arriving as the new companion,” he explained. “I had an eye on the bigger picture, but I probably would have done it anyway.”

(Photo by James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios)

In various episode commentaries over the years, Davies has said one of the joys of writing Doctor Who is those scenes when The Doctor explains the basics to a new companion — the term used for the human (and occasionally alien) character who travels with The Doctor. “Space Babies” features one of the more extended and joyous versions of this exposition scene. “I don’t think that lovely Space Baby appears until 12 minutes in,” Davies said. We promise, you won’t notice that timeframe as you get to know The Doctor and Ruby, the latest human being to travel in the TARDIS.

“I think that’s a very good sign of how inventive the show is, that it keeps on inspiring me,” Davies said of how the early “Space Babies” scenes play out.

Gatwa added, “And also, as actors, we’re very good at doing exposition really well. So we’ve explained everything that needs to be explained.”

Of course, you can meet The Doctor and Ruby right now, as their debut story, the 2023 Doctor Who Christmas special “ The Church on Ruby Road ”,  is available on Disney+.

The Doctor Has Two Hearts

Differentiating the human-looking Doctor from the bona fide humans he travels with, the character contains two heartbeats. Their bi-pulmonary system has been a feature since at least the 1970s, but Gatwa quoted it to explain why The Doctor’s empathy is so key to the character across all their incarnations. “The Doctor has two hearts and, I think, is very, very in touch with their feelings,” he said. “The Doctor, as a character, has always been really empathetic. So empathetic . That’s one of the main traits of The Doctor.”

Nevertheless, joy and even fear are more acute with Gatwa’s Doctor — known among fans as the Fifteenth Doctor — than some predecessors. “Russell speaks so eloquently about how The Doctor reflects society at the time that he’s around,” Gatwa explained. “And we are in an era [when] we’re a lot more emotionally intelligent than we were, perhaps, in the ’60s. The Doctor’s a reflection of that evolution in our society.”

Davies added, “[Ncuti is] so and expressive and wears emotion on his face like no Doctor before him… You have to up the danger. You have to up the laughs and the joy.”

The Show Is Keeping Its British Voice

One concern fans have expressed online — both on social media and video platforms like YouTube — is concern that the show may lose some of its distinctive Britishness as it becomes a show on a Disney platform. That flavor is key not just to its longevity, but its appeal in the United States, where fans relish the slang, local landmarks, and concerns of the country Doctor Who reveals to them.

We can confirm the voice remains true, with a plot point in “Space Babies” relating directly to the British vernacular. Of course, we won’t say the exact words (“Spoilers,” as River Song might say), but in talking to Davies about it, he confirmed the deep-cut British references and tone remain true to the program as it has existed over the decades.

“They get the British voice,” he said of the partnership with Disney. Of course, being a fan of the show in its original 1963-1989 form — he would later spearhead the series’ revival in 2005 — he sympathizes with the fans’ concerns. “That’s exactly what I would worry about if I was outside the show, and to be absolutely honest, that’s why I’m here,” he explained. “One of the reasons I’m here was to protect against that happening.”

At the same time, Davies was happy to see Disney on the side of The Doctor. “It’s been a really lovely process to see them falling in love with the show [while] doing the early stages of production. I would refer to an episode like ‘Blink.’ They’d all go off and watch ‘Blink,’ and then they’d all come back going, ‘Oh my God, this is the best show in the world,’” he said. “It was a real joy to see.”

But coming back to the worry about the British voice, he said growing up in the UK, he was exposed to Gilligan’s Island references thanks to imported US television despite the series itself never airing in the UK. “I do have an idea what Gilligan’s Island is because it’s been referred to so often, but I think we all quite freely cross cultures and don’t stop. When we get a reference that we don’t understand, we all think, ‘Oh, that’s a world I haven’t discovered yet,’” he said.

He also teased an upcoming episode will feature a joke “so obscure, you had to know your British television from the 1970s in order to get it.” Although he stopped a script read-through to see how many people understood the joke, it remains in the show.

The Disney Factor Can Be Seen

The partnership with Disney provides some differences, though, in terms of production. The scale, as mentioned by Gatwa and Gibson, is one element. The dinosaurs glimpsed in the trailer and a preview scene available online are just one example.

Another is the ambition of the episodes, which include a recreation of 1963 London (and Abbey Road Studios as it looked at the time) in the second episode, “The Devil’s Chord” — available alongside “Space Babies” this Friday — the Regency Era-set “Rogue,” due out in June, and a mysterious episode known as “73 Yards.” Of that one, Gibson said, “It gave me a lot of Black Mirror vibes… I knew we were in for a treat with Russell’s writing as soon as I read that.”

Yet one more aspect of the Disney factor is the roster of guest stars, which includes Neil Patrick Harris — who appeared in November’s 60th anniversary special, “The Giggle” — Jinkx Monsoon as a character called Maestro in “The Devil’s Chord,” and Jonathan Groff in “Rogue.”

“These are worldwide stars that any show would give their eye teeth to have in them,” Davies said of the guests.

The Doctor Revels In Mysteries

Starting from its debut episode in 1963, Doctor Who has always featured mysteries — including The Doctor’s true name (hence the show’s title). When Davies brought the program back in 2005 (after other producers made a failed attempt in 1996 with a TV movie starring Paul McGann as The Doctor), he made a season-long mystery a feature of the format. His successors, showrunners Steven Moffat and Chris Chibnall, carried on the tradition to varying degrees, but in returning to the show for its 60th Anniversary last year, Davies amped the mysteries into overdrive with more than a few on display in the new season.

He said the inclusion of more mysteries came as a result of Disney loving the questions left at the end of “The Church on Ruby Road” regarding Ruby’s parents. “It’s my job to leap up and listen when an executive says that,” he said. In terms of creating a television show, Davies felt the mysteries are part-and-parcel with streaming programs, as they keep the viewer invested in an overall tale even as each episode of Doctor Who tells a complete adventure.

“If you want to drop in and watch any random episode, you won’t be left behind by the complications of the plot,” he added. “But there’s a lot going on.” We’ll dive a little deeper into those mysteries next week.

And as for older mysteries like The Doctor’s name? Don’t worry about those. Part of Doctor Who ’s appeal is the questions that will never be answered.

The Introduction Of The Supernatural

Although Doctor Who has always played with ideas like ghosts, vampires, and gods, they’ve generally been revealed as suitably advanced technology or aliens gearing up for an invasion. But with “The Church on Ruby Road,” legit goblins invaded the show’s reality and, as Davies has mentioned here and there, it will lead to a full-on exploration of the supernatural as supernatural.

“You have to make the threats so great that [The Doctor] shows terror,” Davies explained to us. “I thought these fantasy [things] were simply the best way to do that. I also love writing it. You start to bend the laws of reality and The Doctor has to fight very hard to win. Suddenly, he can’t press that button on that computer that saves the day.”

But if less fantastical sci-fi is to your liking, Davies said the third episode of the year, “Boom!” — written by Moffat — is “proper, hard science fiction that obeys strict physical rules.”

He also mentioned that the show’s ability to move between grounded sci-fi and flights of fancy allows it to be “the best of both worlds.”

And Then There’s The Running

If there’s one thing you need to know about Doctor Who it is this: everybody runs.

“What’s the longest you think we ran?” Gibson asked of Gatwa when we inquired if they did extra cardio in preparation to film the season.

“It’s not even the length… It’s to sprint straight away and then take, take, take, take. So it’s short bursts of running for about an hour,” Gatwa said.

“Running in my ’60s boots was hard,” Gibson added.

Gatwa is somewhat worried about his running form, as The Doctor is always on the move, but we imagine fans old and new will enjoy his stride.

The 60-Year History

(Photo by Everett Collection)

One of the other delights found within Doctor Who is the discovery of its past. While many episodes serve as great entry points — 1970’s “Spearhead from Space,” 2005’s “Rose,” and 2010’s “The Eleventh Hour” among them — each treat the past as something you can learn about, but do not necessarily need to enjoy the show. That said, each story (even the less successful ones) offer some interesting shade, clue, or concept.

And since the classic series is available in the US on BritBox, and the 2005-2022 series is over on Max, it is possible to spend a long time with the previous Doctors. “When the season finishes, if you are missing it and [want to] feel whole, then just binge 60 years,” Gibson said.

“[There is] 60 years of magical TV that they can catch up on,” Gatwa said. “Get your big bag of Doritos and your big super can of Coke.”

Of course, for those who are somehow still unfamiliar with The Doctor, the new season is the current best place to start.

Doctor Who: Season 1 (2024) debuts on Friday, May 10, 2024 on Disney+ and midnight Saturday, May 11 in the UK and Ireland on BBC iPlayer.

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The Movie With the Most Reviews To Get 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

This movie may have been slept on while it was in theaters, but its 100% approval rating should earn it notice.

The Big Picture

• Rotten Tomatoes scores can oversimplify film criticism; there's more to a good review than "rotten" or "fresh."
• Rotten Tomatoes does bring attention to overlooked films like Leave No Trace .
• Leave No Trace explores the challenges of assimilation and the freedom of choice in a moving and authentic way.

While film criticism aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes are useful in helping to determine the broad critical consensus that a film received, simplifying the response to a film into a score is not necessarily a useful form of engaging with art. Rotten Tomatoes works like a binary , and in actuality, there’s much more to a good review than whether a film is simply “rotten” or “fresh.” Metrics like Rotten Tomatoes may claim to “democratize” the art of criticism, but they’re largely useless for those looking for more nuanced opinions. However, overwhelming critical support from an aggregator like Rotten Tomatoes can shed a spotlight on films that would not have otherwise received as much attention from a mainstream audience. Debra Granik ’s 2018 family drama Leave No Trace may have been a film that many slept on while it was in theaters, but its 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes should hopefully encourage a wider audience to check it out .

Leave No Trace

*Availability in US

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A father and his seventeen-year-old daughter are living an ideal existence in a vast urban park in Portland, Oregon when a small mistake derails their lives forever.

What Happens in 'Leave No Trace'?

Leave No Trace is Granik’s follow up to her breakthrough 2010 drama Winter’s Bone starring Jennifer Lawrence . Winter’s Bone was a grounded thriller that depicted both familial relationships and its natural environments with great detail. While Winter’s Bone could loosely be described as a “genre film,” Leave No Trace was squarely focused on depicting an authentic, lived-in experience. The film follows Will ( Ben Foster ), a former military veteran who lives “off the grid” with his teenage daughter, Tom ( Thomasin McKenzie ). Although Will and Tom have gotten used to this nomadic lifestyle , they are forced to “assimilate” when they are discovered.

Granik does a great job at exploring her characters’ lifestyle without judgment. Living outside civil society presents its dangers. There is a lack of medical supplies and a distance from breaking news, but Tom is also removed from any social circles with children her own age . She has lived to be entirely dependent upon her father, and has never learned what constitutes normal human interaction. At the same time, Will is able to use their nomadic lifestyle in order to focus on his priorities. He knows that the infrastructure of normal society is rife with issues, and that they may cause issues in Tom’s development. This objective view of nomad living is rare to see in film, as even Nomadland offered some judgments on its characters.

Will knows firsthand that the infrastructure can fail because of his own backstory. Although Granik never gives Foster an expositional monologue where he explains his entire life, it’s subtly hinted that he’s dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder from his experiences in combat. Although Will is dealing with his trauma in the way that he sees fit, not associating with anyone else isn’t necessarily a healthy way to cope with his struggles. Granik explores the flawed, yet understandable logic in his thinking. Will mistakes “needing help” for moral weakness, and feels that receiving assistance from therapists is a mistake. Will’s unwillingness to ask for help isn’t because of toxic masculinity; he wants his daughter to perceive him as authoritative so that he can offer her a blanket of safety.

'Leave No Trace’ Tries To Show, Not Tell

Granik does a great job at showing how challenging the assimilation process can be. Will and Tom are discovered by a jogger, and must adjust to a new life in rural Oregon. Will and Tom subvert the expectations that the social services officers have about “nomads.” Tom possesses an academic knowledge that rivals anyone her own age that attended school, and Will has taken care of himself remarkably well. Granik chooses not to demonize either Will or the social service officers that try to get him to adjust his lifestyle. Both parties are simply trying to find a solution to this situation that is healthy and legal for everyone involved. Foster shows how reluctant Will is to change a lifestyle that he felt was working for both him and his daughter, giving one of his best performances in the process.

While it never feels like they are in physical danger, Will has not accepted that he will have to introduce Tom to the rest of the world. Granik crafts a beautiful father-daughter story because the film is just as much about Will’s development as it is about Tom coming of age . Tom begins to find joy when she gets to meet other people and hear about their experiences; she has only ever been close with her father, so learning about someone else is a breath of fresh air. The film doesn’t suggest that Will’s teachings had a negative impact on her, but it does show the value in having a diversity of experience.

Rotten Tomatoes' Score Display on Google Has Changed — What Does This Mean? [Updated]

The grounded realism of ‘leave no trace’ helps it feel authentic.

However, the assimilation process is much different for Will because he has seen what living a non-nomadic life could look like. Tom has never known anything other than what her father told her, so her perception is more limited. Will specifically chose to live his life nomadically because of his inability to engage with other people. In its most heartbreaking sequence , Leave No Trace shows why the two characters have to split up. Will has chosen to remain isolated, but Tom still has the opportunity to make that decision. Will realizes that in order to give her the freedom to make that choice, he will have to leave her behind. Leave No Trace doesn’t turn this moment into a manipulative one that exists purely to pull the audience’s heartstrings. It was evident from the beginning of the story that, inevitably, Tom would have to move on.

While Leave No Trace landed with little impact upon its debut, it’s the type of film that is worthy of a critical rediscovery. Granik’s unflashy style may not have seemed exciting to casual viewers, but the realism with which she crafts the story makes the characters’ experiences feel more authentic . The story is a timeless one, and the film is able to analyze a specific experience with empathy. Although it may be best known as McKenzie’s breakout film , Leave No Trace ’s 100% approval rating couldn’t be more deserving.

Leave No Trace is available to stream on Starz in the U.S.

Watch on Starz

Screen Rant

Netflix’s a man in full ends 4-year drought for director with a 98% rotten tomatoes movie debut.

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A Man In Full’s 43% RT Score Is Concerning For Apple’s Upcoming Jake Gyllenhaal Crime Series

Jeff daniels' new netflix show hits global chart despite poor reviews, "a smart decision": why bridgerton season 3 cuts 1 key book character explained by new showrunner.

• Mixed reviews for Netflix's A Man in Full, starring Jeff Daniels, show critics divided on Daniels' first project with Netflix.
• A talented ensemble cast, including Diane Lane and Lucy Liu, join Daniels in the series created by David E. Kelly.
• Regina King, known for directing episodes of popular series, directed 3 episodes of A Man in Full after her acclaimed film debut.

The Netflix limited series A Man in Full ends a four-year directorial drought of an acclaimed film & television director. Jeff Daniels stars as Charlie Croker, a larger-than-life, relentless real estate mogul based in Atlanta, Georgia. A Man in Full's mixed reviews indicate a divided response among critics to Daniels' first project with Netflix. The series was adapted from the 1998 novel of the same name by Tom Wolfe , author of classic books such as The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (1968) and The Right Stuff (1979). By the end of A Man in Full , Croker's debts finally catch up with him, but it isn't enough to win over most critics.

A Man in Full's cast features an impressive ensemble that includes Diane Lane ( Man of Steel ), Tom Pelphrey ( Ozark ), Bill Camp ( The Queen's Gambit ), Lucy Liu ( Kill Bill ), Wiliam Jackson Harper ( The Good Place ), and Sarah Jones ( For All Mankind ). A Man in Full is the latest series created by the acclaimed television writer and showrunner David E. Kelly, whose previous works include Big Little Lies (2017 - 2019), Ally McBeal (1997 - 2002), L.A. Law (1986 - 1992), Goliath (2016 - 2021), Love & Death (2023), and The Lincoln Lawyer (2022 - 2023). Kelly didn't direct any of the episodes but wrote the teleplays for all 6 of them .

Regina King Directed 3 Episodes Of A Man In Full After 2020’s One Night In Miami

King directed the first, fifth, and sixth episodes of a man in full.

Regina King, the Oscar and Emmy-winning actress of If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) and Watchmen (2019) acclaim, directed three of the six total episodes of A Man in Full . King is certainly not a newcomer to the director's chair , having years of experience directing episodes of some of the most popular television series ever made. In 2020, King made her feature film directorial debut with the critically acclaimed One Night in Miami , which was nominated for three Oscars, including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song, and Best Actor for Leslie Odom Jr.

King directed the first, fifth, and sixth episodes of A Man in Full , including the all-important series premiere and series finale. Episodes 2 through 4 of A Man in Full were directed by Thomas Schlamme, who is best known for directing several episodes of The West Wing and The Americans , as well as individual episodes of House of Cards , Parenthood , and Under the Banner of Heaven . King first made her directorial debut in a 2013 episode of Southland season 5 . She has directed several movies made for television as well, but One Night in Miami truly put her on the map as a prominent feature film director.

How A Man In Full’s Reviews Compare To One Night In Miami

One night of miami was one of the highest-rated movies of 2020.

Although A Man in Full has all the ingredients of a great limited series, most critics gave the series a poor review, resulting in a 43% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This largely feigns in comparison to the critical acclaim of One Night in Miami , which earned a near-perfect critic score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. One Night of Miami was one of the highest-rated movies of 2020 on Rotten Tomatoes, earning the same elite score as the Oscar-winning drama Minari and the Emmy-winning filmed version of Hamilton . It even earned a better RT score than Best Picture winner Nomadland (93%).

Critics raved about the ensemble cast of One Night in Miami , who portrayed some of the most historical figures in African American culture. Empire Magazine wrote in its review, " This feels like history-in-the-making, as both a fresh insight into the interior lives of historical figures and a snapshot of a future filmmaking great just getting started ." The Los Angeles Times noted, " It moves, with light-fingered assurance, through sequences that transform from soulful arias into sustained duets, built around performances that are collaborative rather than imitative in nature. " King quickly established herself as an ambitious, natural filmmaker with One Night in Miami .

A Man in Full, the latest series from acclaimed showrunner David E. Kelly, has received mixed reviews, which could spell trouble for his next project.

Regina King’s Directorial Filmography & Break From Directing Explained

King had a remarkable directing and acting streak in the 2010s.

As King's highly-anticipated return to directing after the massive acclaim of One Night in Miami , A Man in Full and its poor reviews are somewhat disappointing. After making her directorial debut on Southland , a series in which she also starred as Detective Lydia Adams from 2009 to 2013, King went on to direct episodes of Scandal , The Catch , Animal Kingdom , Greenleaf , Pitch , This Is Us , Shameless , The Good Doctor , and Insecure . King topped this outstanding track record as a television director with her first Oscar win in 2019 and first Emmy wins in 2020 in acting categories.

King returned as an actress in her first role since 2021's The Harder The Fall with 2024's Shirley , which was released exclusively on Netflix in late March 2024. Shirley is written and directed by Oscar winner John Ridley, the screenwriter of Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave . King portrays Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to be elected into the United States Congress, on her historic campaign to become President. Shirley's "For Ian" dedication was an acknowledgment of King's son, Ian Alexander Jr., who passed away in January 2022.

What’s Next For Regina King As A Director & An Actress

King has several directorial projects on the horizon.

Although the reviews for A Man in Full are less than remarkable, Regina King has shown no signs of slowing down on the directorial front. She currently has two separate projects that are currently in various stages of production with her in the director's chair once again. King is confirmed to be directing at least one episode of the upcoming television series Forever , which is based on the novel of the same name by celebrated author Judy Blume. King is set to direct her next feature film titled Bitter Root , a period piece with fantasy and horror elements that takes place in 1920s Harlem.

King also has one additional project in development titled Warriors at ABC Television, although there has seemingly not been much movement since the TV movie was first announced back in 2018. In the acting field, King just recently starred as Shirley Chisholm in Shirley alongside her sister Reina King, who made her first acting appearance since 1990's To Sleep With Anger . Both Shirley and A Man in Full are available to stream on Netflix now. Despite A Man in Full's poor critical reception, the series is still entertaining, star-studded, and has more positive reviews among audiences.

A Man in Full

A Man in Full is a Netflix original series starring Jeff Daniels, Tom Pelphrey, Diane Lane, and Lucy Liu. The limited-series is based on the book of the same name by Tom Wolfe, which revolves around a real estate mogul Charelie Croker in Atlanta. Charlie is facing bankruptcy and must protect his empire from those hoping to capitalize on his misfortunes.

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The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time. The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

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