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Comedy drama

Adult Life Skills (2019): Cast & Ratings

Adult Life Skills (2019) movie poster

Adult Life Skills is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Rachel Tunnard, starring Jodie Whittaker as Anna, Alice Lowe and Lorraine Ashbourne. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
75%
Echo Score
55
Metascore
49
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Adult Life Skills (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 36m (96 min)
Director
Rachel Tunnard
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Adult Life Skills About?

The premise of Adult Life Skills without spoilers.

Anna is on the cusp of adulthood and facing a sense of being stuck. This heartfelt comedy-drama follows her journey as unexpected encounters inspire a longing to move beyond her childhood and embrace the complexities of growing up. She must confront her inertia and learn to accept change as she navigates new relationships and the challenges of self-discovery.

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Cast & crew

Adult Life Skills Cast & Characters

Jodie Whittaker leads the cast as Anna, with Alice Lowe as Alice and Lorraine Ashbourne as Marion. Directed by Rachel Tunnard; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Adult Life Skills

· 6 more
From the director

More from Rachel Tunnard

One more film directed by Rachel Tunnard: Emotional Fusebox.

Full filmography
Ratings

Adult Life Skills Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Adult Life Skills 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 49 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 55/100, strongest in art & craft (65) and weakest in story & flow (45).

55 /100

Adult Life Skills Echo Score Breakdown

In general, Adult Life Skills delivers a moderately engaging experience that is held back by narrative unevenness. Critics praised Jodie Whittaker’s balanced comic and tragic performance and noted moments of visual intrigue in Tunnard’s direction, but many found the plot unfocused and the emotional resonance inconsistent. The film’s quirky tone draws attention yet leads to occasional disengagement with supporting material. Overall, the viewing experience feels uneven, offering notable strengths in performance and craft but limited narrative cohesion.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 65

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents a combination of inventive visual choices and uneven execution. Tunnard’s direction evokes a quirky sensibility with occasional striking compositions, though reviewers noted a lack of sustained focus in production design and pacing. Moments of editing clarity are countered by stretches of eccentric excess. This results in an art presentation that is intriguing but inconsistently realized.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance by Jodie Whittaker stands out for its nuanced blend of comedy and tragedy. However, several critics described supporting characters as flat or utilized primarily as plot devices. The protagonist’s inner journey achieves moments of catharsis, yet some idiosyncratic behaviors felt unearned. Character depth is present but uneven throughout.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, the film struggles with narrative cohesion and pacing. Multiple reviewers described the plot as thin or unfocused, citing repetitive themes and a predictable resolution. While the premise of personal healing carries potential, the screenplay frequently retreats into eccentric vignettes that slow momentum. Consequently, story engagement fluctuates and fails to maintain consistent forward drive.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    In terms of sensory experience, Adult Life Skills employs a restrained color palette and understated sound design that align with its offbeat tone. Although there are moments of visual texture, the soundtrack and audio elements go largely unremarked upon, offering functional rather than standout support. The sensory elements underwrite the film’s quirky atmosphere without significantly enhancing engagement.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When considering rewatch value, the film’s modest narrative and episodic structure offer limited incentives for repeated viewing. While Jodie Whittaker’s performance may invite a second look, the uneven pacing and thin supporting material diminish replay appeal. The quirky tone holds occasional charm but lacks the depth to sustain prolonged interest over multiple viewings.

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FAQ

Adult Life Skills FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Adult Life Skills, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Adult Life Skills?

Adult Life Skills runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).

When was Adult Life Skills released?

Adult Life Skills was released on January 18, 2019.

Who directed Adult Life Skills?

Adult Life Skills was directed by Rachel Tunnard.

More films by Rachel Tunnard

Who is in the cast of Adult Life Skills?

Adult Life Skills stars Jodie Whittaker as Anna, Alice Lowe as Alice and Lorraine Ashbourne as Marion, among 10 credited actors.

How is Adult Life Skills rated?

Adult Life Skills has 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 49 on Metacritic and 3.7/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Adult Life Skills have a post-credit scene?

No. Adult Life Skills has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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