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Comedy drama

Bonobo (2014): Cast & Plot

Bonobo (2014) movie poster

Bonobo is a 2014 comedy drama directed by Matthew Hammett Knott, starring Tessa Peake-Jones as Judith, Eleanor Wyld and Josie Lawrence. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes.

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Bonobo (2014) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 23m (83 min)
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Bonobo About?

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

Judith, a reserved widow, finds herself deeply disapproving when her daughter Lily abandons law school to join a commune. This unconventional group embraces a unique lifestyle inspired by the bonobo monkey, known for its emphasis on peaceful interaction and affection. As Lily immerses herself in the commune's unconventional ways, Judith struggles to understand her daughter's choices and the group's unusual philosophy.

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Cast & crew

Bonobo Cast & Characters

Tessa Peake-Jones leads the cast as Judith, with Eleanor Wyld as Lily and Josie Lawrence as Anita. Directed by Matthew Hammett Knott; 10 actors are credited in all.

Plot

Bonobo Plot Summary

What happens in Bonobo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Judith, a middle-aged widow, worries about her Lily, who has joined what she believes is a sect. In truth, a cohort of young people led by the middle‑aged Anita has formed a commune that draws its inspiration from the social dynamics of Bonobo chimpanzees (Pan paniscus), a striking framework where conflicts are resolved through intimate acts rather than strife. The setup invites curiosity, tension, and a quiet invitation to explore desire as a communal ritual, rather than a solitary burden.

Full summary

The whole story of Bonobo, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Bonobo?

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

What is the name of the middle-aged widow who is the main character?

Cars

Cars in Bonobo

3 cars on screen, including the 2001 Honda Civic and the 2009 Nissan Note.

  • 2001 Honda Civic in Bonobo 2001 Honda Civic Minor role
  • 2009 Nissan Note in Bonobo 2009 Nissan Note Minor role
  • 2009 Ford Fiesta MkVI in Bonobo 2009 Ford Fiesta MkVI Background role
Details

Bonobo Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “내 이웃과의 섹스라이프” and “倭黑腥腥”.

Also known as
  • 내 이웃과의 섹스라이프
  • 倭黑腥腥
  • A Casa Bonobo

Seen Bonobo?

FAQ

Bonobo FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Bonobo, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Bonobo?

Bonobo runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).

When was Bonobo released?

Bonobo was released on December 5, 2014.

Who directed Bonobo?

Bonobo was directed by Matthew Hammett Knott.

More films by Matthew Hammett Knott

Who is in the cast of Bonobo?

Bonobo stars Tessa Peake-Jones as Judith, Eleanor Wyld as Lily and Josie Lawrence as Anita, among 10 credited actors.

Does Bonobo have a post-credit scene?

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

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