Joy (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
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
Joy Cast & Characters
Thomasin McKenzie leads the cast as Jean Purdy, with James Norton as Bob Edwards and Jemima Rooper as Ruth Edwards.
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Thomasin McKenzie as Jean Purdy -
James Norton as Bob Edwards - Jemima Rooper as Ruth Edwards
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Bill Nighy as Patrick Steptoe
Also Starring in Joy
· 7 more- Robert Wilfort Reverend Paulson
- Tanya Moodie Muriel
- Rish Shah Arun
- Joanna Scanlan Gladys May
- Adrian Lukis Professor Mason
- Ruth Madeley Maggie
- Cecily Cleeve Caroline
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).
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.
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IMDb 7.1 /10
11842 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 6.7
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$15.8M
- US & Canada
- $12.9M
- International
- $2.9M
Joy Trailers & Videos
5 videos: 1 trailer, 1 teaser and 3 featurettes.
- 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
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
- 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 name of the nurse who becomes the lab manager?
Joy Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “JOY - The Birth of IVF” and “조이의 탄생”.
- Also known as
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- 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 Show fewer
- Joy, miracolul vieții
- Džiaugsmas
Seen Joy?
Movies Like Joy
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Joy, Joy and Joyce at 34.
Articles About Joy
Our article about Joy: “Joy Movie Review: Insights and Opinions on the 2024 Film’s Reception from Critics and Fans”.
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Opinions
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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