Big Girls Don't Cry

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Big Girls Don't Cry

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1h 40m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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100%

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26 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Summer 2006, rural New Zealand. 14-year-old Sid is caught between her own burgeoning sexual curiosity and acceptance from an older group of girls. As she delves deeper into rebellion, she leaves behind a trail of destruction as she goes.

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Luke Buckmaster

Guardian

5 days ago

4/5

The drama is boosted by highly captivating and layered performances, especially from Palmer as Sid. She’s restrained and yet so emotive, powerfully conveying a person going through profound growth and change.

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Sheri Linden

The Hollywood Reporter

Mar 17, 2026

This story of the summer holiday break in rural New Zealand pulses with a powerful sense of place and terrifically charged scenes of chaotic intimacy, its exceptional performances led by Palmer, Rain Spencer and Noah Taylor.

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Marya E. Gates

RogerEbert.com

Jan 29, 2026

But what really makes this film special is the way Schneideman subtly indicates how painful it was in that era to grow up queer without any real support system, even if you never experienced any actual violence.

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Holly Hazelwood

Spectrum Culture

1 day ago

Big Girls Don’t Cry is a 100-minute testament to the idea behind Andrea Gibson’s quote that "It hurts to become."

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Sarah Gopaul

Imagery at the Movies

2 days ago

The coming-of-age story isn’t remarkable, but it is relatable... It can be difficult to watch a young person misjudge their place so severely, but that’s how the film keeps viewers engaged in Sid’s journey.

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Todd Jorgenson

Cinemalogue

4 days ago

It doesn’t break new ground as a nostalgic tale of sexual awakening and adolescent angst, but this Kiwi coming-of-age drama is a quietly perceptive look at self-discovery and acceptance.

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Moody C

@MoodyC 12 hrs ago

Slice of life of a teenager coming of age experience with her sexuality. It feels real but not too much of a story & no real resolution for a non story but great performances by the young actors & actresses.

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Stew H

@RT02140474 4 days ago

Had high hopes for this local drama but came away disappointed. Ani Palmer was terrific as the tween trying to grow up in beautifully shot scenes only fleetingly referencing Omaha/Matakana. however the story did not add to the theme with any insights or twists. Uncomfortable and awkward have limits.

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Ciaran K

@FoolishTNT 5 days ago

It's nice to see this kind of cinematic ambition coming out of New Zealand. I would give Big Girls Don't Cry a 6.5/10.

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Paloma Schneideman

Director

Ani Palmer

Sid

Rain Spencer

Freya

Noah Taylor

Leo

Beatrix Rain Wolfe

Lana

Sophia Kirkwood Smith

Actor

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Synopsis

Summer 2006, rural New Zealand. 14-year-old Sid is caught between her own burgeoning sexual curiosity and acceptance from an older group of girls. As she delves deeper into rebellion, she leaves behind a trail of destruction as she goes.

Director: Paloma Schneideman
Producer: Vicky Pope, Thomas Coppell
Screenwriter: Paloma Schneideman
Distributor: Blue Fox Entertainment
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 9, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 40m

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