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Romantic drama

The Idea of You (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Idea of You (2024) movie poster

The Idea of You is a 2024 romantic drama directed by Michael Showalter, starring Nicholas Galitzine as Hayes, Anne Hathaway and Reid Scott. It is partly based on The Idea of You by Robinne Lee. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes and earned $36,178 worldwide. Critics gave it 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
80%
worldwide gross
$36.2K
Echo Score
70
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The Idea of You (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 55m (115 min)
Genres
Drama , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Idea of You About?

The premise of The Idea of You without spoilers, adapted from The Idea of You by Robinne Lee. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

While chaperoning her daughter at Coachella, a 40-year-old single mother unexpectedly connects with Hayes, the lead singer of the popular band August Moon. Their relationship blossoms into a whirlwind romance that defies age differences and explores the complexities of finding love in the modern era.

The Idea of You Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • older woman younger man relationship
  • boy band
  • mother daughter relationship
  • paparazzi
  • singer
  • bare chested man
  • tattooed man
  • singing
  • sex in a hotel room
  • sexual attraction
  • passionate kiss
  • broken refrigerator
+38 more
  • teenage girl
  • chaperone
  • lead singer
  • lawyer
  • sex scene
  • pianist
  • private jet
  • barcelona spain
  • reference to fiona apple
  • ex husband ex wife relationship
  • female art gallery owner
  • summer camp
  • lovers reunited
  • woman wears sunglasses
  • listening to music in a car
  • song
  • selfie
  • time lapse photography
  • photograph on a cell phone
  • location in text on screen
  • band the musical group
  • split screen
  • sandwich
  • concert as subject
  • birthday cake
  • scandal
  • overhead camera shot
  • guitar player
  • reference to yoko ono
  • 16 year old girl
  • montage
  • aerial camera shot
  • rome italy
  • reference to tiktok
  • car as a birthday present
  • reference to st. vincent the musician
  • ordering room service
  • essex house manhattan new york city
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Cast & crew

The Idea of You Cast & Characters

Nicholas Galitzine leads the cast as Hayes, with Anne Hathaway as Solène and Reid Scott as Daniel. Directed by Michael Showalter; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Michael Showalter

More films directed by Michael Showalter, best-rated first: The Big Sick, Spoiler Alert, The Eyes of Tammy Faye and Hello, My Name Is Doris.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Idea of You Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Idea of You 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

70 /100

The Idea of You Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Idea of You presents an engaging central romance supported by committed performances, though it often leans on familiar rom-com conventions. Critics and viewers alike note the compelling chemistry between the leads and moments of genuine emotional resonance, offset by predictable plot turns and intermittent pacing issues. The film’s visual style and soundtrack offer pleasant backdrop without standing out. While the narrative lacks significant innovation, its heartfelt delivery ensures a welcoming 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 70

    In terms of art direction, the film delivers a polished yet unadorned visual landscape. Whenever the camera lingers on its leads, the framing and lighting accentuate their interplay, lending scenes a richer texture. Production design and editing remain serviceable throughout, providing coherent transitions without calling attention to themselves. The overall craft feels professionally executed.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character depth and emotion, performances stand out as the film’s principal asset. Anne Hathaway embodies her role with conviction, portraying a mature single mother with authenticity, while Nicholas Galitzine offers earnest vulnerability. Their chemistry generates credible moments of warmth and humor, even as some viewers questioned the intensity of their connection. Altogether, the acting lends substantial emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative adheres closely to conventional rom-com structure, prioritizing a clear emotional arc over plot innovation. Viewers appreciated its fantasy elements and relatable moments, though several critics noted predictable beats and cursory subplots that remain underdeveloped. Pacing varies from measured to occasionally languid, impacting engagement. Despite these limitations, the storyline maintains enough coherence to sustain audience interest throughout its duration.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack and visual elements furnish a pleasing ambiance without overwhelming the narrative. Musical interludes receive commendation for their alignment with the film’s tone, while sound design remains unobtrusive. Visual style opts for naturalistic lighting and clean composition, reinforcing the romantic mood. Overall, sensory components support the story in a straightforward, effective manner.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When it comes to rewatch value, The Idea of You delivers moderate appeal. Viewers cite enjoyable lead interactions and heartwarming moments on repeat viewings, but the film’s reliance on familiar tropes and modest narrative surprises limits lasting excitement. The pacing can feel uneven upon closer inspection, reducing its impulse for multiple rewatches. Nevertheless, it retains enough charm for occasional revisits.

Plot

The Idea of You Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Idea of You 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

As Solène Marchand approaches the significant milestone of her 40th birthday, she sets off on a solitary camping trip in Los Angeles, yearning for an escape from the pandemonium of her art gallery lifestyle. Her ex-husband, Daniel, had organized a trip for their teenage daughter, Izzy, and her friends to the lively Coachella music festival. However, when unforeseen circumstances pull him away at the last moment, Solène reluctantly makes the decision to trade her camping gear for a VIP festival pass, preparing to join the teens in the desert.

Full summary

The whole story of The Idea of You, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Idea of You Box Office

The Idea of You grossed $36,178 worldwide.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$36.2K

International
$36.2K
Videos

The Idea of You Trailers & Videos

15 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers, 3 clips, 8 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 15 videos
Official Trailer
  • Teaser Hot Review
  • Teaser Hayes Bumper
  • Clip Hayes and Solène’s Fated Meet Cute
  • Clip Solène and Hayes' Infamous Hotel Scene
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Idea of You?

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 Solène Marchand's profession?

Cars

Cars in The Idea of You

13 cars on screen, including the 2020 Subaru Outback and the 2020 Cadillac XT5.

All 13 cars
  • 2020 Subaru Outback in The Idea of You 2020 Subaru Outback Main role
  • 2020 Cadillac XT5 in The Idea of You 2020 Cadillac XT5 Minor role
  • 2021 Ford Bronco in The Idea of You 2021 Ford Bronco Minor role
  • 2018 Honda Accord in The Idea of You 2018 Honda Accord Minor role
Details

The Idea of You Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “아이디어 오브 유” and “关于你的想法”.

Also known as
  • 아이디어 오브 유
  • 关于你的想法
  • 概念中的你
  • 所有想法
  • Als du mich sahst
  • Sen İhtimali
  • خیال تو
  • خاطر تو
  • Uma Ideia de Você
  • 너란 개념
  • L'Idée d'être avec toi
  • La idea de tenerte
+20 more
  • Na samą myśl o Tobie
  • 对你的想象
  • فكرة وجودك
  • Мысль о тебе
  • 關於你的想法
  • A rólad alkotott kép
  • Думка про тебе
  • ภาพฝัน ฉันกับเธอ
  • アイデア・オブ・ユー ~大人の愛が叶うまで~
  • Představa o tobě
  • Ý Niệm Về Anh
  • L'idea che ho di te
  • Представата за теб
  • הרעיון שהוא אתה
  • Imaginar-te
  • Mintis apie tave
  • Misao o tebi
  • Ideja o tebi, იდეა შენზე
  • Идеја о теби
  • Ideea de tine

Seen The Idea of You?

FAQ

The Idea of You FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Idea of You, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Idea of You?

The Idea of You runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).

When was The Idea of You released?

The Idea of You was released on May 2, 2024.

Who directed The Idea of You?

The Idea of You was directed by Michael Showalter.

More films by Michael Showalter

Who is in the cast of The Idea of You?

The Idea of You stars Nicholas Galitzine as Hayes, Anne Hathaway as Solène and Reid Scott as Daniel, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Idea of You make at the box office?

The Idea of You grossed $36,178 worldwide.

How is The Idea of You rated?

The Idea of You has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Is The Idea of You based on a book?

Yes. The Idea of You is partly adapted from The Idea of You by Robinne Lee.

Does The Idea of You have a post-credit scene?

No. The Idea of You has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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