Young Adult

Play trailer

1:50

Young Adult

R

2011

1h 34m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

196 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) is a successful writer of teen literature who returns to her hometown with a dual mission: to relive her glory days and steal away her now-married high-school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson). However, her mission does not go exactly to plan, and she finds her homecoming more problematic than she expected. Instead, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt), who has also found it difficult to move past high school.

Critics Consensus

Despite its somewhat dour approach, Young Adult is a funny and ultimately powerful no-holds-barred examination of prolonged adolescence, thanks largely to a convincing performance by Charlize Theron.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

08/02/2022

Charlize Theron is the self-absorbed central character in a script of such meticulous cruelty that it’s like watching someone pulling the legs off a spider.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/08/2017

B+

With all the so-called well-intended chick flicks with squeaky clean endings, is it any wonder that we're starved to see a heroine who's not redeemed and holding hands with her frenemy by the end of a movie?

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David Thomson

The New Republic

06/20/2013

There has always been something so inward about [Theron;] she can seem detached or deprived. But here it's as if the script and the direction felt bound to heed that loneliness, and let the actress go with her bravery and the depressive sag of her mouth.

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Cameron Meier

MeierMovies.com

Jan 18

4.5/5

"Young Adult" is arguably, alternatingly, the funniest and saddest film of 2011 while simultaneously being the most deceptively profound. It’s a coming-of-age tale for grownups.

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

05/03/2024

Young Adult is easy to overlook, but once watched, it’s hard to forget.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

03/01/2023

2/4

As much as this film tries to be a mature, adult story, it’s still about teendom and high school hangups.

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Nic O

@nicost 5d

Love this movie. It feels real and relatable; and it does not tie everything up with a pretty ribbon at the end. It's raw, unfiltered, and often hilarious life.

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Sinister S.

@sinisterSUE Apr 22

This was a fun comedy. I like things set in the Midwest. Side note: I watched this because Patton Oswalt said he was naked in the movie, and he is not. Love you Patton. Show us your butt.

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Jeffrey P

@vanillavoodoo1 Jun 19

A story, with an unlikeable lead character with no redemption arc, that somehow works.

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Mark M

@Markmazurik 04/12/2025

"Young Adult" is a joyless slog through the life of an irredeemable protagonist. Theron's performance can't save this mean-spirited, emotionally stunted film that wallows in unlikability without purpose or payoff. A depressing waste of talent. 5 out of 10 🤙 from this guy.

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Julian S

@akajulianscott 10/06/2024

A powerful and compelling performance from Theron that is both sharply dark and humorous. While it may not be a film you’ll want to watch on repeat, its resonance may leave you thinking about it from time to time.

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rosadobber a

@RT86040640 08/03/2024

You have to have more tolerance for drunks and entitled attitudes than I do to watch this. Walked away before it ended, not caring where the lead character ends up. Simplistic plot.

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Jason Reitman

Director

Charlize Theron

Mavis Gary

Patton Oswalt

Matt Freehauf

Patrick Wilson

Buddy Slade

Elizabeth Reaser

Beth Slade

Jill Eikenberry

Hedda Gary

Young Adult: Official Clip - I'm An Alcoholic

1:52

Young Adult: Official Clip - Drunken Freakout

2:09

Young Adult: Official Clip - I Ruined My Dress

2:00

Young Adult: Official Clip - Mavis' Jealousy

2:14

Young Adult: Official Clip - She Made Me Invite You

1:57

Young Adult: Official Clip - Stolen Kiss

1:48

Young Adult: Official Clip - Hitting on Her Ex

2:13

Young Adult: Official Clip - You're Better Than This

2:02

Young Adult: Official Clip - You Need to Move on

2:12

Young Adult: Official Clip - Might As Well Die

2:12

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Young Adult: Trailer 1

1:50

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Synopsis

Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) is a successful writer of teen literature who returns to her hometown with a dual mission: to relive her glory days and steal away her now-married high-school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson). However, her mission does not go exactly to plan, and she finds her homecoming more problematic than she expected. Instead, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate (Patton Oswalt), who has also found it difficult to move past high school.

Director: Jason Reitman
Producer: Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, Diablo Cody, Mason Novick, Jason Reitman
Screenwriter: Diablo Cody
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Indian Paintbrush, Paramount Pictures, Denver and Delilah Productions, Mr. Mudd
Rating: R (Some Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 16, 2011, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Mar 13, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.3M
Runtime: 1h 34m