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Drama

Never Steady, Never Still (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Never Steady, Never Still (2018) movie poster

Never Steady, Never Still is a 2018 drama directed by Kathleen Hepburn, starring Shirley Henderson as Judy, Théodore Pellerin and Mary Galloway. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $1,782 worldwide. Critics gave it 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
79%
worldwide gross
$1.8K
Echo Score
69
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Never Steady, Never Still (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Kathleen Hepburn
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Never Steady, Never Still About?

The premise of Never Steady, Never Still without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

As Parkinson's disease progresses, Judy finds her world irrevocably altered by the sudden death of her husband and caregiver. Now alone on their remote lakefront home, she confronts a profound existential crisis. Her teenage son, Jamie, also struggles with the loss, forced to confront the challenges of adulthood and the pressure to be strong in the absence of his father.

Never Steady, Never Still Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • parkinson's disease
  • mother son relationship
  • sexual identity
  • sexual awakening
  • best friend
  • lakefront home
  • husband wife relationship
  • father son relationship
  • shepherd mix dog
  • fishing from a boat
  • cribbage the game
  • roughneck
+38 more
  • gas field
  • death from heart attack
  • uncontrollable tremor
  • weakness
  • reference to paper mill
  • exposed to toxic chemicals
  • drug use
  • drug snorting
  • boss subordinate relationship
  • man fights a man
  • snowmobile
  • grocery delivery
  • sex scene
  • fellatio
  • prostitute
  • male female relationship
  • bath
  • frozen pipes
  • man masturbates a woman
  • ice hockey
  • support group
  • dog
  • alberta canada
  • canada
  • lake
  • stuck in a bathtub
  • heart attack
  • death of husband
  • disease
  • snow
  • winter
  • candy cane
  • christmas
  • sexual orientation
  • oil derrick
  • oil field
  • teen pregnancy
  • teenage girl
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Cast & crew

Never Steady, Never Still Cast & Characters

Shirley Henderson leads the cast as Judy, with Théodore Pellerin as Jamie and Mary Galloway as Kaly. Directed by Kathleen Hepburn; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Never Steady, Never Still

· 6 more
Ratings

Never Steady, Never Still Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Never Steady, Never Still 79% on Rotten Tomatoes and 70 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 69/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

69 /100

Never Steady, Never Still Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Never Steady, Never Still stands out for its deliberate visual precision and compelling emotional insight. The film’s focused direction and nuanced performances draw viewers into a world of quiet intensity, yet the measured pacing and occasional narrative opacity introduce a challenging viewing experience. While the momentum can wane in places, the thoughtful craftsmanship and raw emotional candor establish a resonant atmosphere. Ultimately, the film leaves a thoughtful but demanding impression.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, Never Steady, Never Still excels in its attentive direction and precise visual composition. Critics highlight the intentional framing and nuanced cinematography that convey emotional subtext without overt exposition. The austere production design and deliberate editing reinforce an atmosphere of authenticity. The cohesive aesthetic underlines the filmmaker’s control and elevates the film’s thematic depth.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    In terms of character and emotion, the film features understated yet poignant performances that convey deep vulnerability. The lead’s restrained portrayal eschews melodrama in favor of raw sincerity, and supporting roles contribute subtle emotional layers. Observations note the genuine chemistry and thoughtful character development, which imbue the narrative with empathetic resonance and human complexity.

  • Story & Flow 60

    When it comes to story and flow, the film adopts a deliberate pacing that emphasizes realism over conventional narrative rhythms. Critics acknowledge the thoughtful structure and thematic coherence but also point to moments of opacity that can disrupt engagement. The film’s focus on ongoing emotional endurance provides depth yet occasionally yields uneven momentum. Overall, the pacing and narrative framework reflect a contemplative but demanding storytelling approach.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When considering the sensory experience, the film’s evocative soundtrack and meticulous sound design complement its striking visual palette. Reviewers note the austere yet resonant musical motifs and the crisp ambient audio that enhance the immersive quality. The visual style’s understated color schemes and cohesive compositional choices reinforce the film’s somber tone. This combination of auditory and visual elements results in a consistently immersive atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    With regard to rewatch value, the film’s contemplative tone and measured pacing may limit its appeal for repeat viewings. While the thematic depth and meticulous craft offer layers to unpack, the austere atmosphere and narrative opacity can deter subsequent engagement. The richness of performance and visual details provides occasional rewards, but the overall solemnity suggests that enduring appeal may be reserved for select audiences.

Plot

Never Steady, Never Still Plot Summary

What happens in Never Steady, Never Still from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Judy and her husband Ed live in a secluded community beside Stuart Lake in British Columbia, raising their 18-year-old son Jamie. Judy has been battling Parkinson’s disease for 19 years out of their 23-year marriage, with Ed dedicatedly serving as her caregiver, assisting her with everyday tasks like dressing and taking her medication. Despite her condition, Judy strives to maintain a semblance of normalcy by attending a weekly Parkinson’s support group, aiming to cope with her illness as best as she can. Meanwhile, Jamie often spends his time with his best friend Danny, engaging in activities like smoking and playing hockey.

Full summary

The whole story of Never Steady, Never Still, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Never Steady, Never Still Box Office

Never Steady, Never Still grossed $1,782 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.8K

International
$1.8K
Videos

Never Steady, Never Still Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Never Steady, Never Still.

Never Steady, Never Still Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Indie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Never Steady, Never Still?

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 condition does Judy struggle with throughout the movie?

Cars

Cars in Never Steady, Never Still

6 cars on screen, including the 1982 Ford F-Series and the 1986 Nissan Truck.

All 6 cars
  • 1982 Ford F-Series in Never Steady, Never Still 1982 Ford F-Series Important role
  • 1986 Nissan Truck in Never Steady, Never Still 1986 Nissan Truck Minor role
  • 2004 Ford F-150 in Never Steady, Never Still 2004 Ford F-150 Background role
  • Kenworth T-800 in Never Steady, Never Still Kenworth T-800 Background role

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FAQ

Never Steady, Never Still FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Never Steady, Never Still, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Never Steady, Never Still?

Never Steady, Never Still runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

When was Never Steady, Never Still released?

Never Steady, Never Still was released on June 22, 2018.

Who directed Never Steady, Never Still?

Never Steady, Never Still was directed by Kathleen Hepburn.

Who is in the cast of Never Steady, Never Still?

Never Steady, Never Still stars Shirley Henderson as Judy, Théodore Pellerin as Jamie and Mary Galloway as Kaly, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Never Steady, Never Still make at the box office?

Never Steady, Never Still grossed $1,782 worldwide.

How is Never Steady, Never Still rated?

Never Steady, Never Still has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, 70 on Metacritic and 61% on TMDB.

Does Never Steady, Never Still have a post-credit scene?

No. Never Steady, Never Still has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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