C'mon C'mon (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
C'mon C'mon is a 2021 drama directed by Mike Mills, starring Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny, Woody Norman and Gaby Hoffmann. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $4.5 million worldwide on a $8.3 million budget. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2022. Critics gave it 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Mike Mills
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- A24
- Budget
- $8.3M
- After the credits
- Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
What Is C'mon C'mon About?
The premise of C'mon C'mon without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
Radio journalist Johnny unexpectedly connects with his sister's 8-year-old son, Jesse, and agrees to help care for him. This leads to a cross-country journey from Los Angeles to New York City and New Orleans. During their adventure, Johnny records interviews with children, capturing their perspectives on the future, while forging a heartwarming and unexpected bond with Jesse and gaining a new understanding of what it means to connect with another person.
C'mon C'mon Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- uncle nephew relationship
- los angeles california
- oakland california
- new york city
- artist
- child
- microphone
- interviewer
- journalist
- brother sister relationship
- pharmacy
- shouting
+38 more Show fewer
- dementia
- bipolar disorder
- apostrophe in title
- punctuation in title
- male protagonist
- adult child relationship
- written by director
- mother son relationship
- radio journalist
- on the road
- interview
- 9 year old
- 9 year old boy
- precocious boy
- boy
- family relationships
- man wears eyeglasses
- the future
- man with a beard
- mustached man
- fear
- anger
- loneliness
- happiness
- detroit michigan
- prologue
- aerial camera shot
- girl
- old woman
- montage
- overhead train
- girl wears eyeglasses
- hope
- reflection in a mirror
- telephone call
- cell phone
- flashback
- flash forward
C'mon C'mon Cast & Characters
Joaquin Phoenix leads the cast as Johnny, with Woody Norman as Jesse and Gaby Hoffmann as Viv. Directed by Mike Mills; 15 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Mike Mills
-
Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny -
Woody Norman as Jesse -
Gaby Hoffmann as Viv -
Scoot McNairy as Paul
Also Starring in C'mon C'mon
· 11 more- Elaine Kagan
- Jaboukie Young-White Fern
- Kenneth Kynt Bryan
- Mary Passeri Behavioral Center Nurse
- Kate Adams
- Callan Farris
- Molly Webster Roxanne
- Mya Gonzales
- Brandon Rush ER Nurse
- Cooper Jack Rubin
- Khadija Emma Neumann
More from Mike Mills
More films directed by Mike Mills, best-rated first: 20th Century Women, Beginners, Thumbsucker and I Am Easy to Find.
C'mon C'mon Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave C'mon C'mon 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (62).
C'mon C'mon Echo Score Breakdown
C'mon C'mon delivers a nuanced portrait of a family through restrained direction, strong performances, and a distinctive black‑and‑white visual style. Critics highlight the film’s gentle pacing and thoughtful cinematography, while several viewers note its languid tempo and repetitive dialogue as drawbacks. The sensory elements, especially sound design and composition, receive consistent praise, yet the story’s slower moments and limited narrative peaks reduce its rewatch appeal for some audiences. Overall, the film balances artistic ambition with mixed audience reception, resulting in a solid but not universally compelling 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 direction and visual composition, the film employs a restrained black‑and‑white palette that many reviewers describe as beautiful and richly textured. Critics commend the subtle cinematography and careful editing that reinforce the intimate tone. A few notes mention occasional unnecessary length, but the overall craftsmanship is regarded as a strong point that elevates the viewing experience.
- Character & Emotion 78
When it comes to character work, Joaquin Phoenix and Woody Norman receive particular commendation for nuanced, empathetic performances. Supporting actors are noted for delivering relatable moments that deepen the family dynamic. Some audience comments describe the child’s portrayal as overindulgent or the adult dialogue as cumbersome, introducing slight inconsistency, yet the central performances remain a highlight.
- Story & Flow 62
The narrative structure revolves around a series of reflective interviews that aim for authenticity. Critics acknowledge the originality of this approach, but several reviewers cite a lack of clear stakes and a pacing that feels drawn out. The gentle storytelling resonates with some viewers, while others find the plot uneven and yearning for a stronger climax.
- Sensory Experience 90
Sensory design stands out through meticulous sound design and an evocative score that complement the monochrome visuals. Reviewers consistently note the harmonic blend of ambient sound and music, which enhances emotional resonance. The auditory landscape is described as expert and integral to the film’s quiet intensity, reinforcing its overall atmospheric quality.
- Rewatch Factor 66
Rewatch potential is mixed; the film’s subtle emotional beats and visual artistry invite repeat viewings for some, while its deliberate pacing and occasional repetitiveness deter others. Positive audience feedback highlights lingering emotional impact, whereas negative comments reference a perceived dullness that reduces desire for another viewing. Consequently, replay value sits in a moderate range.
-
IMDb 7.3 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 94% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 77%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 82 Metascore
User score 7.1
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 72% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.1 /5
4.2K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
C'mon C'mon Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in C'mon C'mon from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Johnny, Joaquin Phoenix, is a single, middle-aged radio journalist who travels the country with his producing partners to interview children and teenagers about their lives and their thoughts on the future. In Detroit, a call to his sister Viv Gaby Hoffmann reveals the ache of a family split after their mother’s dementia, a loss that still weighs on both of them. The conversation is warm, and Viv asks Johnny to come to Los Angeles to watch her nine-year-old son Jesse while she heads to Oakland to help Paul Scoot McNairy, her estranged husband who struggles with bipolar disorder, get settled there.
Full summary
The whole story of C'mon C'mon, scene by scene, with the ending explained
C'mon C'mon Box Office & Budget
C'mon C'mon grossed $4.5 million worldwide on a $8.3 million budget, 54% of what it cost. $1.9 million came from the US and Canada and $2.6 million (59%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$4.5M
54% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $1.9M
- International
- $2.6M
- Budget
- $8.3M
C'mon C'mon Awards & Nominations
C'mon C'mon earned 5 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2022. The 5 nominations come from 3 ceremonies, the most at the Spirit Awards 2022.
5 nominations3 ceremonies
-
Spirit Awards 2022 3 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Mike Mills
- Nominated Best Feature
- Nominated Best Screenplay – Mike Mills
-
Critics' Choice 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Best Young Actor/Actress – Woody Norman
-
BAFTA 2022 1 nomination- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Woody Norman
C'mon C'mon Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers, 3 clips and 2 featurettes.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Teaser TV Spot
- Teaser TV Spot
- Clip Clip
How Well Do You Know C'mon C'mon?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the profession of the main character, Johnny?
C'mon C'mon Also Known As
26 alternative titles, including “Nos âmes d'enfants” and “Sempre em Frente”.
- Also known as
-
- Nos âmes d'enfants
- Sempre em Frente
- Ej tālāk, tālāk
- Come on
- C'Mon C'Mon: Siempre Adelante
- Камон Камон
- زودباش زودباش
- 컴온 컴온
- L’instant même
- Yaşamaya Bak
- C'mon C'mon. Siempre adelante
- Hajde hajde
+14 more Show fewer
- زود باش زود باش
- קדימה קדימה
- C’mon C’mon: Siempre adelante
- 呼朋引伴
- C'mon C'mon - Az élet megy tovább
- Идемо, идемо
- Η Ζωή Συνεχίζεται
- ลุงครับ'รัก'คืออะไร?
- Drąsiau drąsiau
- يلا يلا
- カモン カモン
- 未來.未來
- Pridi Pridi
- Hai, hai!
Seen C'mon C'mon?
Movies Like C'mon C'mon
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Unstrung Heroes, The Fundamentals of Caring and Joyride.
C'mon C'mon FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of C'mon C'mon, each answered in a sentence.
How long is C'mon C'mon?
C'mon C'mon runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was C'mon C'mon released?
C'mon C'mon was released on November 19, 2021.
Who directed C'mon C'mon?
C'mon C'mon was directed by Mike Mills.
More films by Mike Mills Who is in the cast of C'mon C'mon?
C'mon C'mon stars Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny, Woody Norman as Jesse and Gaby Hoffmann as Viv, among 15 credited actors.
How much did C'mon C'mon make at the box office?
C'mon C'mon grossed $4.5 million worldwide ($1.9 million domestic, $2.6 million international) on a budget of $8.3 million.
How is C'mon C'mon rated?
C'mon C'mon has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.
Was C'mon C'mon nominated for any awards?
C'mon C'mon received 5 nominations across 3 ceremonies.
Does C'mon C'mon have a post-credit scene?
Yes. C'mon C'mon has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
