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What's After the Movie?
Biographical drama

Joy (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Joy (2024) movie poster

Joy is a 2024 biographical drama starring Thomasin McKenzie as Jean Purdy, James Norton and Jemima Rooper. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $15.8 million worldwide. Critics gave it 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
worldwide gross
$15.8M
Echo Score
70
Metascore
62
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Joy (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Genres
Biography , Drama , History
Original language
English
Studio
Pathe UK
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Joy About?

The premise of Joy without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

This film portrays three pioneering individuals – a nurse, a scientist, and a surgeon – who face considerable resistance from the church, government, media, and medical community as they strive to achieve the birth of the world's first baby conceived through in vitro fertilization, Louise Joy Brown.

Joy Themes & Keywords

· 9 tags
  • based on real people
  • baby
  • hospital
  • medical
  • 20th century
  • 1970s
  • year 1978
  • medical drama
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

Joy Cast & Characters

Thomasin McKenzie leads the cast as Jean Purdy, with James Norton as Bob Edwards and Jemima Rooper as Ruth Edwards.

Also Starring in Joy

· 7 more
Ratings

Joy Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Joy 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in sensory experience (60).

70 /100

Joy Echo Score Breakdown

The film exhibits solid strengths in character portrayal and emotional engagement but balances them with a conventional narrative and a modest visual approach. Critics praise the lead performance and the heartwarming, feel-good delivery, although some note pacing issues and a made-for-TV sensibility. While its craftsmanship and sensory elements rarely feel groundbreaking, the story’s uplifting core and competent execution deliver a consistently pleasant experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 65

    The direction and production design are serviceable without standing out as particularly innovative. In terms of cinematography, the film conveys period flavor effectively but seldom ventures beyond a straightforward presentation. Editing flows smoothly but retains a no-frills quality. Overall, the art and craft elements remain competent yet rarely striking.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    Characterizations drive the film through strong lead performances and genuine emotional beats. When it comes to acting, the cast delivers nuanced portrayals that elevate standard material. Emotional resonance is anchored by moments of warmth and compassion, though some supporting figures feel underdeveloped. Ultimately, the character work remains the film’s most compelling asset.

  • Story & Flow 70

    Story coherence and thematic intention are clear, presenting an uplifting account of scientific perseverance. Plot pacing fluctuates between deliberate reflection and modest momentum, which may feel slow to some viewers. Originality is tempered by a conventional structure, yet the narrative’s message of human ingenuity and perseverance sustains engagement. Overall, the story offers earnest appeal.

  • Sensory Experience 60

    Sensory elements support the film’s nostalgic tone without drawing undue attention. In terms of soundtrack and sound design, the score underscores emotional turns with subtlety rather than flair. Visual style achieves a cohesive period aesthetic but favors restraint over bold cinematographic choices. As a result, the sensory experience is polished yet quietly unobtrusive.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Rewatch value is moderate, anchored by the film’s heartwarming core and informative subject matter. The enduring appeal of its true-story foundation sustains interest, and subsequent viewings may reinforce appreciation for the performances. However, familiarity with the straightforward narrative and measured pacing could lessen the sense of discovery. Overall, the film offers respectable replay potential.

Plot

Joy Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Joy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1968, Nurse Jean Purdy [Thomasin McKenzie] is hired at the University of Cambridge for a lab manager post by Dr Bob Edwards [James Norton], a scientist determined to push the boundaries of reproduction research. Together, they recruit a pioneering obstetrician and surgeon, Patrick Steptoe [Bill Nighy], to join their work in infertility treatment, with the bold aim of developing a procedure that could become in vitro fertilisation. Yet from the start, Patrick cautions that their path will meet resistance from government, church, and a skeptical public, even as their shared belief in progress drives them forward.

Full summary

The whole story of Joy, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Joy Box Office

Joy grossed $15.8 million worldwide. $12.9 million came from the US and Canada and $2.9 million (18%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$15.8M

US & Canada
$12.9M
International
$2.9M
US & Canada 82% Rest of the world 18%
Videos

Joy Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 3 featurettes.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser First Look Teaser
  • Featurette Joy's James Norton on the impact of IVF #lff
  • Featurette Thomasin McKenzie on the message by IVF drama Joy #lff
  • Featurette The Incredible True Story Behind Joy
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Joy?

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 nurse who becomes the lab manager?

Details

Joy Also Known As

14 alternative titles, including “JOY - The Birth of IVF” and “조이의 탄생”.

Also known as
  • JOY - The Birth of IVF
  • 조이의 탄생
  • JOY: Um Pequeno Milagre
  • JOY: 奇跡が生まれたとき
  • Джой: маленькое чудо
  • הנס של ג'וי
  • 一个奇迹的诞生
  • 一個奇蹟的誕生
  • Джой: Диво життя
  • Joy, az élet csodája, ბედნიერება
  • جوي: فرحة ولادة
  • जॉय
+2 more
  • Joy, miracolul vieții
  • Džiaugsmas

Seen Joy?

FAQ

Joy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is Joy?

Joy runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was Joy released?

Joy was released on November 22, 2024.

Who is in the cast of Joy?

Joy stars Thomasin McKenzie as Jean Purdy, James Norton as Bob Edwards and Jemima Rooper as Ruth Edwards, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Joy make at the box office?

Joy grossed $15.8 million worldwide ($12.9 million domestic, $2.9 million international).

How is Joy rated?

Joy has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 62 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does Joy have a post-credit scene?

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

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