Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
May December
By Tara McNamara,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Haynes' mature observational melodrama has sex, smoking.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
May December
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
In MAY DECEMBER, actress Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) is preparing to play Gracie Yoo (Julianne Moore), a real-life woman who was embroiled in a tabloid scandal a couple of decades previously. Spending a week with Gracie and her family for research, Elizabeth tries to understand what would make a then-36-year-old teacher engage in a sexual affair with her 13-year-old student -- and how that act permanently altered their lives and those of everyone else around them.
Is It Any Good?
Director Todd Haynes cleverly, quietly challenges viewers not to judge this melodrama's once-scandalous couple. A 36-year-old in a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old? Monstrous! But a 59-year-old married to a 36-year-old for 20 years with three great kids and neighbors who adore them? Hmmmm, that's different ... or is it? By using Elizabeth and her probing questions as a vehicle to help viewers understand Gracie and Joe, Haynes allows "inquiring minds" the questions we'd all like to ask.
That said, his unusual choices for the movie's score -- it's adapted from the 1971 film The Go-Between -- sets up a tonal imbalance that may throw viewers off-balance. Serious moments and scene changes are marked with a music gong that's reminiscent of a soap opera (or, even more so, SNL's soap opera parody "The Californians"). Viewers may find themselves laughing through this unsettling drama in a way that feels intentional by Haynes but also somewhat inappropriate, given the charged subject matter. Just like reading tabloid fodder that exploits others' mistakes, when May December's credits roll, you may just realize you're not better for the time you spent on it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what a "May December" relationship is and why it's illegal for an adult and a minor to have a sexual relationship. How do age differences in relationships change as people get older?
Why is character growth a standard element of storytelling? What, if any, character growth did you observe in May December, and how does that impact the film?
What is an unreliable narrator? Do you think that idea is in play in this film?
Discuss the movie's genre and tone. Why do you think the filmmaker used this approach to explore risky subject matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 17, 2023
- On DVD or streaming: December 1, 2023
- Cast: Julianne Moore , Natalie Portman , Charles Melton
- Director: Todd Haynes
- Inclusion Information: Gay directors, Female actors, Asian actors, Female writers
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Run time: 117 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: some sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language
- Last updated: December 6, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Movies with Strong Female Characters
Drama Movies That Tug at the Heartstrings
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate