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Poster for Philomena

Philomena

Seen it?

2013 | 98 min | Drama

Friday Night Flick

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), it collected a shelf of major awards, audiences rate it highly (7.3 out of 10) and it made about 8 times its budget. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved Lion or Spotlight, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 38 min.
What might put you off
Rated PG-13: a parent's death or loss. Probably too much for younger kids.

A woman searches for her adult son, who was taken away from her decades ago when she was forced to live in a convent.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesStrong

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsVery strong

    Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best Adapted Screenplay. Won 1 Venice award: Venice Film Festival: Best Screenplay. Also nominated for 5 Oscars, 3 Golden Globes and 1 SAG Award. Plus 18 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $100 million worldwide on a $12 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 161K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Stephen Frears

  • Judi DenchPhilomena
  • Steve CooganMartin Sixsmith
  • Sophie Kennedy ClarkYoung Philomena
  • Mare WinninghamMary Hess
  • Barbara JeffordSister Hildegarde
  • Ruth McCabeMother Barbara
  • Peter HermannPete Olsson
  • Sean MahonMichael Hess
  • Anna Maxwell MartinJane
  • Michelle FairleySally Mitchell