When You Finish Saving the World

Name: When You Finish Saving the World
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: January 20, 2023
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Alisha Boe, Annacheska Brown, Billy Bryk, Catherine Haun, Eleonore Hendricks

2023

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 9 Ratings

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4.6

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4.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 9 Ratings

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When You Finish Saving The World

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Movie Details & Credits

A24 | Release Date: January 20, 2023 | R

Starring: Alisha Boe, Annacheska Brown, Billy Bryk, Catherine Haun, Eleonore Hendricks, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Justice, Jay O. Sanders, Jordyn Aurora Aquino, Julianne Moore, Sara Anne, Sarah Minnich

Summary: Evelyn (Julianne Moore) has devoted herself to helping people in hard times, but she struggles to connect with her son Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard), an aspiring internet star oblivious to the problems of the world. As Evelyn attempts to become a parent figure to an unassuming teenager she meets at her shelter, and Ziggy fumbles through hisEvelyn (Julianne Moore) has devoted herself to helping people in hard times, but she struggles to connect with her son Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard), an aspiring internet star oblivious to the problems of the world. As Evelyn attempts to become a parent figure to an unassuming teenager she meets at her shelter, and Ziggy fumbles through his pursuit of a brilliant and politically conscious young woman at his high school, this emotional comedy reveals a funny and sharply perceptive portrait of a mother and son who may seem at odds but who are more alike than either would care to admit.… Expand

Director: Jesse Eisenberg

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 88 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Karen Gordon

Jan 26, 2023

There’s more depth than meets the eye, and When You Finish Saving The World manages to be sweet and yet not sentimental, and with much to contemplate after the movie ends. Read full review

Sabina Dana Plasse

Jan 23, 2022

When You Finish Saving the World offers unique insight into family dynamics in a modern society where the shallowness of a virtual world collides with real-life based on purpose and reason. Read full review

Lindsey Bahr

Jan 18, 2023

Eisenberg, who has already proven himself to be a talented, unsparing writer, shows promise as a director. He has not made a flashy art film, but it’s a smart, biting and occasionally sweet character piece about unlikable characters that you still may want to root for, because, though it may be hard to admit, they’re not so different from us. Read full review

Chris Barsanti

Jan 23, 2022

Jesse Eisenberg’s satire hits its targets dead on, but he flattens his mother-and-son narcissists to the point of caricature. Read full review

Amy Nicholson

Jan 22, 2022

To When You’re Finished Saving the World, being good is exhausting and miserable, and aspiring to be good is even worse. Joy exists only to be taken away. Read full review

Screen Rant Rachel LaBonte

Jan 19, 2023

When You Finish Saving the World is filled with interesting ideas and scenes, yet is hindered by character development that feels incomplete. Read full review

The Guardian Benjamin Lee

Jan 22, 2022

It’s a film of people telling themselves they’re making a difference without really doing much of anything and it’s hard not to feel similarly unmoved by the time it’s all over. Read full review

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User Reviews

TVJerry

Jan 26, 2023

Julianne Moore plays a mom who runs a shelter for people in need, but she can't seem to connect with her teenage son (Finn Wolfhard). He's caught up with his live stream concerts and a politically active girl, while she grasps at the chance to become another teen's mentor. Ultimately, theyJulianne Moore plays a mom who runs a shelter for people in need, but she can't seem to connect with her teenage son (Finn Wolfhard). He's caught up with his live stream concerts and a politically active girl, while she grasps at the chance to become another teen's mentor. Ultimately, they spend most of the movie bickering with each other, not being able to relate. This is another of the conflicted characters that Moore does so well and Wolfhard embodies the frustration of adolescent. He also sings a number of songs. Jesse Eisenberg, who wrote and directed, has managed to craft a mildly absorbing character study.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

moviemitch96

Jan 22, 2023

Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard star in Jesse Eisenberg's screenwriting/directorial debut about a mother and son simply trying to search for extra meaning and make a difference in there mundane lives while constantly butting heads with one another over their differences in life goals,Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard star in Jesse Eisenberg's screenwriting/directorial debut about a mother and son simply trying to search for extra meaning and make a difference in there mundane lives while constantly butting heads with one another over their differences in life goals, politics, etc. The film is light-hearted and quirky enough to have held my attention for its sleek hour and a half runtime, and the direction and especially the dialogue feels and sounds unmistakably like Eisenberg. Wolfhard really captures his essence and social awkwardness/quirks quite accurately, basically playing a teenaged version of the actor-turned-writer/director. Moore also shines per usual, but in the end, the film simply feels a little too pedestrian and ultimately unfocused and unsure of what it truly wants to say in the end, much like its awkward yet relatable characters.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MetacriticOnur

Jan 28, 2023

bad
[ bad ]

adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
not good in any manner or degree.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

schtoopididiot

May 24, 2023

Jesse Eisenberg, go back to playing famous business moguls or whatever the **** it is that you do, cause it's clear that you don't know **** about making movies. Come the **** on. Just cause you can only play quirky awkward boys doesn't mean you have to stay in character while directing your movies.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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