Jules (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
Jules is a 2023 drama directed by Marc Turtletaub, starring Jade Quon as Jules, Ben Kingsley and Harriet Sansom Harris. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $2.3 million worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. Critics gave it 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Marc Turtletaub
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Bleecker Street Media
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Jules About?
The premise of Jules without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
A quiet life is disrupted when a UFO crashes in the backyard of townsperson Milton, introducing him to an extraterrestrial visitor called Jules. As an unlikely friendship develops, the neighbors discover the visitor, triggering government intervention and unexpected chaos. The experience prompts a touching exploration of connection and understanding when confronted with the unknown.
Jules Themes & Keywords
· 42 tags- lesbian daughter
- non verbal character
- alien
- apple
- aging
- 911 call
- dead cat
- male protagonist
- old woman
- 78 year old man
- 72 year old woman
- starship
+30 more Show fewer
- male female relationship
- friendship between man and woman
- water
- mental test
- father daughter relationship
- woman drives a car
- friendship
- alien human friendship
- human alien relationship
- cat
- supermarket
- male female friendship
- superpower
- good alien
- 72 year old
- character name as title
- city council meeting
- doctor's visit
- crashed spaceship
- pennsylvania
- character name in title
- title spoken by character
- one word title
- old man as protagonist
- protective daughter
- murder attempt
- government
- singing
- reference to pickleball
- producer director
Jules Cast & Characters
Jade Quon leads the cast as Jules, with Ben Kingsley as Milton and Harriet Sansom Harris as Sandy. Directed by Marc Turtletaub; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Marc Turtletaub
- Jade Quon as Jules
-
Ben Kingsley as Milton - Harriet Sansom Harris as Sandy
-
Jane Curtin as Joyce
Also Starring in Jules
· 6 more- Zoe Winters Denise
- Cody Kostro Danny
- Eric T. Miller Tim
- Donald Paul Agent Mann
- Anna George Dr. North
- Blair Baker Councilwoman Strauss
More from Marc Turtletaub
More films directed by Marc Turtletaub, best-rated first: Puzzle and Gods Behaving Badly.
Jules Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Jules 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and 57 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in story & flow (55).
Jules Echo Score Breakdown
Jules presents a gentle, indie‑style sci‑fi dramedy that leans heavily on themes of aging and companionship. Critics highlight Ben Kingsley’s nuanced performance and a warm ensemble, while noting an unfocused narrative and occasional pacing lulls. The film’s modest production values support its heartfelt intent, though its charm may not sustain all viewers. Overall, the movie offers a pleasant, if uneven, viewing experience.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 60
In terms of direction and craft, Jules adopts a restrained indie aesthetic with scrupulous editing and an understated visual palette. Critics commend the gentle pacing and competent production design, yet some note a superficial handling that feels dated and occasionally unfocused. The overall craftsmanship is solid but lacks distinctive flair, resulting in a modest technical execution.
- Character & Emotion 75
When evaluating character work, the film benefits from Ben Kingsley’s layered performance and a seasoned supporting cast that injects warmth and authenticity. Reviewers appreciate the emotional resonance and chemistry among the seniors, though a few point to under‑developed backstories and an alien that feels too human. Overall, character portrayals are a strong point, delivering genuine empathy.
- Story & Flow 55
Regarding story and flow, Jules offers a novel premise of an extraterrestrial visiting a senior community, exploring loneliness and connection. The narrative’s gentle rhythm and occasional humor are praised, yet criticism centers on uneven pacing, a garbled ending, and unresolved subplots that dilute focus. Consequently, the plot feels heartfelt but intermittently scattered.
- Sensory Experience 70
The sensory experience is anchored by an amiably jovial musical score and modest sound design that complement the film’s subdued tone. Critics note the pleasant soundtrack and adequate visual style, while some find the cinematography overly functional and lacking visual inventiveness. Overall, the sensory elements support the narrative without standing out prominently.
- Rewatch Factor 68
The film’s rewatch factor rests on its gentle humor and heartfelt moments, which can appeal to audiences across generations. Viewers highlight the endearing ensemble and the film’s capacity to provoke reflection on aging, though the slow pacing and limited sci‑fi intrigue may reduce repeat viewings for some. Overall, it offers modest replay value.
-
IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 86% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 90%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 57 Metascore
User score 6.6
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
33757 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.6 /5
See on Movie Insider
Jules Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Jules 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 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Milton Robinson, a 79-year-old widower living alone, frequently attends city council meetings and leans on his daughter for help. His life takes a sudden turn when a spaceship crash-lands in his flower garden, revealing a blue humanoid alien. Desperate for assistance, Milton attempts to contact the police and his daughter, but they dismiss his claims as signs of his senility. Undeterred, Milton welcomes the alien as a houseguest, soon discovering its peculiar diet: it only consumes apples.
Full summary
The whole story of Jules, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Jules Box Office
Jules grossed $2.3 million worldwide. $1.9 million came from the US and Canada and $391,272 (17%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$2.3M
- US & Canada
- $1.9M
- International
- $391.3K
Jules Awards & Nominations
Jules earned 4 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Film at the Saturn Awards 2024. The 4 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Saturn Awards 2024.
4 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Saturn Awards 2024 3 nominations- Nominated Best Actor in a Film – Ben Kingsley
- Nominated Best Independent Film
- Nominated Best Supporting Actress in a Film – Jane Curtin
-
Artios Awards 2024 1 nomination- Nominated Feature Low Budget – Comedy or Drama
Jules Trailers & Videos
7 videos: 2 trailers, 2 teasers and 3 clips.
- Trailer UK Trailer
- Teaser :30 Cutdown
- Teaser :15 Cutdown
- Clip House Tour
How Well Do You Know Jules?
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 retired individual portrayed by Ben Kingsley?
Cars in Jules
3 cars on screen, including the 2003 Toyota Corolla and the 2008 Nissan Rogue.
-
2003 Toyota Corolla Main role -
2008 Nissan Rogue Important role -
2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Important role
Jules Also Known As
14 alternative titles, including “جولز” and “Nuestro amigo extraordinario”.
- Also known as
-
- جولز
- Nuestro amigo extraordinario
- Джулс
- UFO a kertemben
- Джулс: Филмът
- Nosso Amigo Extraordinário
- 小镇幽浮
- 朱爾斯
- Џул
- ג'ולס
- Puiki vieta vadinti namais
- A Great Place to Call Home
+2 more Show fewer
- จูลส์ สหายรักต่างดาว
- 줄스
Seen Jules?
Movies Like Jules
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Extraterrestrial, Jupiter and Julie Johnson.
Jules FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Jules, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Jules?
Jules runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Jules released?
Jules was released on August 11, 2023.
Who directed Jules?
Jules was directed by Marc Turtletaub.
More films by Marc Turtletaub Who is in the cast of Jules?
Jules stars Jade Quon as Jules, Ben Kingsley as Milton and Harriet Sansom Harris as Sandy, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Jules make at the box office?
Jules grossed $2.3 million worldwide ($1.9 million domestic, $391,272 international).
How is Jules rated?
Jules has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, 57 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Was Jules nominated for any awards?
Jules received 4 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Does Jules have a post-credit scene?
No. Jules has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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
