The Kids Are All Right

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The Kids Are All Right

R

2010

1h 44m

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

220 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Lesbian couple Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) have been together for almost 20 years and have two teenage offspring named Joni and Laser, who were conceived via artificial insemination. Unbeknown to their mothers, Joni and Laser seek out their biological father, a restaurateur named Paul (Mark Ruffalo). Complications arise when the teens bond with Paul and invite him into their lives.

Critics Consensus

Worthwhile as both a well-acted ensemble piece and as a smart, warm statement on family values, The Kids Are All Right is remarkable.

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Julie and Brandy

Autostraddle

06/09/2021

Say what you will about Lisa Cholodenko, but she and co-writer Stuart Blumberg deserve some major Kudos (the good kind with the chocolate chips) for writing these incredible female characters.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/09/2017

A

Together the performances mark the perfect recipe in a beautifully written story is both funny in the most surprising parts and touching when it needs to be.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

11/26/2010

C-

A long-form sitcom overly pleased with its own progressiveness.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/09/2023

3.5/4

A deeply affecting, bittersweet testament to the vulnerability of families and the hardships essential to maintain them.

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Benjamín Harguindey

EscribiendoCine

01/10/2023

7/10

Results in an experience that boasts all the merits of the genre and none of its mistakes. [Full review in Spanish]

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Michael Cuby

them.

09/26/2022

A warmly funny dramedy about chosen family.

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Chris L

@Christoph2000 Apr 12

This is a stirring film anchored by wonderful performances that ring true and its achieved aim of exploring problems that sink marriages of all forms whilst still being a trailblazing production in its depiction of Jules and Nic's union. This was at a time when that disgusting California Proposition 8 bill barred these marriages from cementation. What really makes The Kids Are All Right work is that it's a true dramedy - in other words, its fearlessness in showing an example of life's offerings and human nature, warts and all. Does it matter if the main characters sometimes demonstrate their off-putting personality traits out in the open? No, because that's what real people do. Paul, of course, is a dirtbag and exists within the movie to push us to ponder what 'Dad' actually means - it's fair enough to want to develop a rapport with your own offspring, but such innately complex bonds are about so much more than biology. As Nic highlights, she earned her family - Paul didn't.

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Randomation H.

@LimberisLuke2319 Apr 6

One of the most relatable stories I’ve seen in a long time

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Erik B.

@RT48487882 Mar 12

Very fun movie with a good message and some great acting

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Scott R

@ScottR Jan 1

NYT 1000 films. I was skeptical, but the movie, despite progressive themes, still captures the complexities of relationships and where they can make life hard despite love. Good acting and writing. However, sometimes there were moments that you could see through reminding you it was just a movie, but it still resonates. RUS.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 May 29

LOL, a funny and successful comedy movie in 1 hour and 44 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Nudity, Language, Strong Sexual Content and Teen Drug and Alcohol Use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $20,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Faiz D

@RT95588871 05/13/2025

This film is not for everyone but still, it is worth giving it a try.

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Lisa Cholodenko

Director

Julianne Moore

Jules

Annette Bening

Nic

Mark Ruffalo

Paul

Mia Wasikowska

Joni

Josh Hutcherson

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Synopsis

Lesbian couple Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) have been together for almost 20 years and have two teenage offspring named Joni and Laser, who were conceived via artificial insemination. Unbeknown to their mothers, Joni and Laser seek out their biological father, a restaurateur named Paul (Mark Ruffalo). Complications arise when the teens bond with Paul and invite him into their lives.

Director: Lisa Cholodenko
Producer: Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte, Celine Rattray, Jordan Horowitz, Daniela Taplin Lundberg
Screenwriter: Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Plum Pictures, Antidote Films
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Strong Sexual Content|Teen Drug and Alcohol Use)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 30, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.8M
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital