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Comedy drama

Babyteeth (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Babyteeth (2020) movie poster

Babyteeth is a 2020 comedy drama directed by Shannon Murphy, starring Eliza Scanlen as Milla, Toby Wallace and Arka Das. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $1.1 million worldwide. It won 9 awards from 14 nominations, including Best Casting at the AACTA Awards 2020. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
94%
worldwide gross
$1.1M
awards won
9
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Babyteeth (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 58m (118 min)
Director
Shannon Murphy
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Babyteeth About?

The premise of Babyteeth without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When a teenager's illness leads to an unexpected romance with a charismatic young man, her parents face their deepest anxieties. As love blossoms, Milla's vibrant spirit inspires those around her, bringing joy and a sense of urgency to family, friends, and even strangers. The experience teaches everyone to embrace the present and discover beauty within unexpected circumstances.

Babyteeth Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • pills
  • dog
  • teenage girl loses her hair
  • teenage girl wears a wig
  • hospital
  • first love
  • beach
  • mother daughter relationship
  • australia
  • asking for money
  • eating
  • therapist client relationship
+38 more
  • sex
  • sex on a desk
  • framed photograph
  • sandwich
  • kiss
  • telephone call
  • apology
  • haircut
  • cell phone
  • bichon the dog
  • hair clippers
  • theft
  • psychiatrist
  • backpack
  • crying woman
  • girls' bathroom
  • taking a selfie
  • stoned
  • girls school
  • watching news on a cell phone
  • reference to wolfgang amadeus mozart
  • swimming pool
  • imitating a bird
  • reference to dmitri shostakovich
  • record player
  • calculator
  • lie
  • drinking water from a faucet
  • searching for daughter
  • boy violinist
  • injection
  • morphine
  • wine
  • taking a photograph with a cell phone
  • sleeping on a sofa
  • mother and daughter share a bed
  • piano duet
  • crying teenage girl
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Cast & crew

Babyteeth Cast & Characters

Eliza Scanlen leads the cast as Milla, with Toby Wallace as Moses and Arka Das. Directed by Shannon Murphy; 15 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Babyteeth Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Babyteeth 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 77 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

83 /100

Babyteeth Echo Score Breakdown

Babyteeth emerges as a confident debut that balances inventive direction with heartfelt performances. Critics and audiences commend Shannon Murphy’s bold visual sensibility and the film’s sustained emotional engagement, noting its careful framing and authentic family dynamics. Though some find the terminal illness narrative familiar and desire deeper character insight, most agree the pacing and tonal shifts deliver a satisfying journey. Ultimately, Babyteeth stands out for its cohesive blend of stylistic ambition and emotional sincerity, resulting in an engaging experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, Babyteeth showcases bold visual choices and assured framing. Reviewers praise Shannon Murphy’s direction for its fearless spirit and inventive scene compositions, supported by fluid editing and measured production design. While some critics note emerging stylistic trends, most acknowledge a cohesive aesthetic that underscores the film’s emotional contours. The filmmaking craft consistently elevates the narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, Babyteeth is anchored by committed performances and nuanced relationships. Eliza Scanlen and Toby Wallace evoke authenticity in their coming-of-age portrayals, complemented by seasoned actors who bring depth to parental struggles. Emotional beats resonate through carefully observed family dynamics, though a few critics sought greater insight into certain figures. Overall, the character work strikes an affecting balance.

  • Story & Flow 75

    Regarding story and flow, Babyteeth interweaves familiar illness drama conventions with moments of unexpected levity. The narrative occasionally unfolds at a deliberate pace, prompting mixed reactions to scene length, yet its emotional arc ultimately engages. Some viewers note a lack of structural depth and genre innovation, while others appreciate its satisfying progression. The storyline feels heartfelt and coherent despite minor pacing concerns.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, Babyteeth employs an understated yet evocative visual style enhanced by restrained sound design. The cinematography’s careful compositions and measured color palette underscore both the film’s suburban setting and its intimate emotional stakes. While the score’s presence is subtle, it effectively supports narrative shifts. These elements collectively craft a resonant audiovisual atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    With respect to rewatch factor, Babyteeth’s emotional intensity makes it a compelling first viewing but may temper repeat visits. The film’s poignant themes and strong performances create lasting moments, yet its heavy subject matter and occasional pacing issues may limit casual replays. Still, the nuanced character work offers value for reconsideration.

Plot

Babyteeth Plot Summary

What happens in Babyteeth from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Milla Finlay, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, faces the harsh reality of her recent cancer diagnosis. One fateful day, while waiting for her train, she encounters Moses (Arka Das), a 23-year-old who quite audaciously asks her for money. Captivated by him, Milla introduces him to her parents—Anna (Essie Davis), a passionate musician, and Henry (Ben Mendelsohn), a dedicated psychiatrist. Despite their discomfort with the significant age gap, they reluctantly allow the relationship to flourish due to Milla’s fragile health condition.

Full summary

The whole story of Babyteeth, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Babyteeth Box Office

Babyteeth grossed $1.1 million worldwide. $4,507 came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (100%) from the rest of the world.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.1M

US & Canada
$4.5K
International
$1.1M
US & Canada 0% Rest of the world 100%
Awards

Babyteeth Awards & Nominations

Babyteeth won 9 awards from 14 nominations, including Best Casting at the AACTA Awards 2020. Its biggest night was the AACTA Awards 2020, with 9 wins from 13 nominations.

9 wins14 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Babyteeth Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser and 1 featurette.

Official US Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Teaser ON DVD, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL NOW
  • Featurette Babyteeth Q&A with Shannon Murphy, Eliza Scanlen & Toby Wallace
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Babyteeth?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main protagonist of 'Babyteeth'?

Details

Babyteeth Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Zęby mleczne” and “Παιδικά δόντια”.

Also known as
  • Zęby mleczne
  • Παιδικά δόντια
  • El glorioso caos de la vida
  • 베이비티스
  • Piena zobi
  • Молочные зубы
  • Milla
  • Babyteeth - Tutti i colori di Milla
  • Dente de Leite
  • Млечни зуби
  • Než skončí léto
  • 乳牙
+9 more
  • 謝謝你愛過我
  • Süt Dişi, სარძევე კბილები
  • عزیزم
  • Kým sa skončí leto
  • Milla meets Moses
  • שיני חלב
  • Молочні зуби
  • ベイビーティース
  • Babyteeth: prima iubire

Seen Babyteeth?

FAQ

Babyteeth FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Babyteeth, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Babyteeth?

Babyteeth runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).

When was Babyteeth released?

Babyteeth was released on June 19, 2020.

Who directed Babyteeth?

Babyteeth was directed by Shannon Murphy.

More films by Shannon Murphy

Who is in the cast of Babyteeth?

Babyteeth stars Eliza Scanlen as Milla, Toby Wallace as Moses and Arka Das, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Babyteeth make at the box office?

Babyteeth grossed $1.1 million worldwide ($4,507 domestic, $1.1 million international).

How is Babyteeth rated?

Babyteeth has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

What awards did Babyteeth win?

Babyteeth won 9 awards from 14 nominations, including Best Casting at the AACTA Awards 2020.

Does Babyteeth have a post-credit scene?

No. Babyteeth has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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