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Comedy drama

May December (2023): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

May December (2023) movie poster

May December is a 2023 comedy drama directed by Todd Haynes, starring Natalie Portman as Elizabeth, Julianne Moore and Elizabeth Yu. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $5.3 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. It won 1 award from 13 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10.

IMDb rating
6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$5.3M
award won
1
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May December (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Director
Todd Haynes
Genres
Comedy , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$20M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is May December About?

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

A veteran couple's peaceful life is disrupted when a young actress arrives, intending to portray them in a film. The actress researches their notorious relationship, which was the basis for a real-life scandal. As she spends time with them, tensions rise, and the couple is forced to confront their past. The film explores themes of love, fame, and the complexities of truth and perception.

May December Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • child sexual abuse
  • statutory rape
  • pedophilia
  • boy sexually abused
  • female pedophile
  • husband wife relationship
  • year 2015
  • interracial relationship
  • filmmaking
  • actress
  • child rape
  • female rapist
+38 more
  • sexual abuse
  • older woman younger man relationship
  • savannah georgia
  • infidelity
  • twins
  • asthma
  • research
  • film within a film
  • crying man
  • graduation
  • actor preparing for a role
  • mature woman teenage boy romance
  • older woman younger man marriage
  • erect penis
  • cigarette smoking
  • penis
  • adultery
  • male rear nudity
  • baking
  • male nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • haynes and moore
  • family relationships
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • mother daughter relationship
  • smoking marijuana
  • high school graduation
  • snake
  • naivete
  • teenage boy
  • teenage girl
  • troubled woman
  • troubled past
  • 2010s
  • woman seduces married man
  • psychological drama
  • erection
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Cast & crew

May December Cast & Characters

Natalie Portman leads the cast as Elizabeth, with Julianne Moore as Gracie and Elizabeth Yu as Mary Atherton-Yoo. Directed by Todd Haynes; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in May December

· 16 more
From the director

More from Todd Haynes

More films directed by Todd Haynes, best-rated first: The Velvet Underground, Carol, Dark Waters and Far From Heaven.

Full filmography
Ratings

May December Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave May December 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 86 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

80 /100

May December Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s most notable strength is its commanding dramatic heft and technical craft. Across many reviews, critics highlighted the layered direction and restless atmospheres that frame strong performances, while noting the film’s tone wavers between grotesque satire and subdued drama. Some users found the pacing uneven and the ethical landscape ambiguous, which can create moments of detachment. Despite these fluctuations, the movie’s provocative subject matter and rich character dynamics deliver a compelling, if occasionally challenging, experience. Net impression: a daring work with standout artistry and complex emotional terrain.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels through its bold visual composition and meticulous production design. Reviews praise the discordant aesthetic and soft cinematography that underpin restless atmospheres, while noting occasional tonal dissonance. The director’s measured editing sustains tension without overstating impact. Overall, the visual approach enriches the film’s evocative style.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are a clear highlight. Critics uniformly lauded Portman, Moore, and Melton for their nuanced portrayals of layered personalities and power dynamics. Reviews emphasize the film’s quiet resilience and the pull between sympathy and disdain that the actors sustain. Though some viewers noted distance in the moral terrain, the central cast delivers sustained emotional resonance throughout.

  • Story & Flow 68

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative’s ambition is tempered by uneven pacing and an ambiguous ethical framework. Several critiques point to a weariness engendered by sustained irony and occasional detachment from plot coherence. Nonetheless, the film’s originality in addressing taboo subjects and its capacity to provoke discussion about authenticity and moral ambiguity maintain audience engagement. Overall, the story offers a provocative but sometimes elusive trajectory.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film delivers a striking soundtrack and meticulous sound design alongside a cohesive visual style. Observers highlighted a campy score and tense musical cues that amplify the unsettling tone, while photography choices create a compelling atmosphere. Minor criticisms of gratuitous sonic beats do little to undermine the overall immersive quality.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    Regarding rewatch potential, the film’s layered ambiguities and thematic depth invite repeat viewings for deeper analysis. The complex power dynamics and careful craftsmanship prompt reflection on authenticity and representation. However, uneven pacing and the morally challenging content may limit enjoyment on subsequent viewings. Overall, the movie rewards return watches selectively but can feel taxing at times.

Plot

May December Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in May December 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 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 2015, actress Elizabeth Berry arrives in Savannah, Georgia, for research on her upcoming role in an independent film. She takes on the character of Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), who, back in 1992, made headlines at the age of 36 for her controversial affair with Joe Yoo (Charles Melton), a 13-year-old schoolmate of her son Georgie (Cory Michael Smith). This affair began when they both worked at a pet store, leading to a difficult prison sentence for Gracie, during which she gave birth to Joe’s child.

Full summary

The whole story of May December, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

May December Box Office & Budget

May December grossed $5.3 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 26% of what it cost.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$5.3M

26% of its budget back

International
$5.3M
Budget
$20M
Awards

May December Awards & Nominations

May December won 1 award from 13 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the Spirit Awards 2024, with 1 win from 4 nominations.

1 win13 nominations5 ceremonies

Show all 5 ceremonies
  • Academy Awards (Oscars) logo
    Oscars 2024 1 nomination
    • Nominated Writing (Original Screenplay)
Videos

May December Trailers & Videos

29 videos: 3 trailers, 2 teasers, 1 clip, 21 featurettes and 2 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 29 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer 1
  • Trailer Official New Zealand Trailer
  • Teaser Official Social Tease
  • Teaser NYFF61 Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know May December?

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 year does the main story of Gracie's life begin?

Details

May December Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “May/December” and “Secretos de un Escándalo”.

Also known as
  • May/December
  • Secretos de un Escándalo
  • Bir Skandalın Peşinde
  • 五月的你,十二月的她
  • Травень, грудень
  • May December: Segredos de Um Escândalo
  • Segredos de um Escândalo
  • Secretos de un Escandalo
  • 五月十二月
  • Proljeće, jesen
  • Mai ja detsember
  • Egy botrány részletei
+22 more
  • Hatzatza La'Yakhasim
  • メイ・ディセンバー ゆれる真実
  • Obsesja
  • Май декабрь
  • Мај-децембар
  • 메이 디셈버
  • 五月的你 十二月的她
  • مايو ديسمبر
  • הצצה ליחסים
  • می دسامبر
  • Láska napříč věkem
  • Май Декември
  • Maj December
  • Praeities šešėlis
  • Tình Yêu Dị Biệt
  • รัก ร่าน ร้าย
  • Мај децембар
  • Secrets d’un escàndol
  • Láska naprieč vekom
  • Mai
  • Decembrie
  • Maijs decembrī

Seen May December?

FAQ

May December FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

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

How long is May December?

May December runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was May December released?

May December was released on November 17, 2023.

Who directed May December?

May December was directed by Todd Haynes.

More films by Todd Haynes

Who is in the cast of May December?

May December stars Natalie Portman as Elizabeth, Julianne Moore as Gracie and Elizabeth Yu as Mary Atherton-Yoo, among 20 credited actors.

How much did May December make at the box office?

May December grossed $5.3 million worldwide on a budget of $20 million.

How is May December rated?

May December has 6.7/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

What awards did May December win?

May December won 1 award from 13 nominations, including Best First Screenplay at the Spirit Awards 2024.

Does May December have a post-credit scene?

No. May December has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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