Big Girls Don't Cry

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Big Girls Don't Cry

Oct 2026

1h 40m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

29 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.

Luke Buckmaster

Guardian

Oct 8, 2026

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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Tiffany McLaughlin

Pop Culture Leftovers

3 days ago

Schneideman nails a very specific feeling for its target demographic, and it’s refreshing to see a film take the risk of aiming for something so niche and still hit the bullseye; what I expected from Eighth Grade, and I’m glad it exists.

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Daniella Mazzio

In Review Online

6 days ago

Schneideman’s film settles into the fine line space between lies told out of self-preservation and those of self-defense. In this way, Big Girls Don’t Cry is an evergreen depiction of the vulnerability of girlhood and queer youth.

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Sarah Ward

AWFJ.org

Oct 15, 2026

Dwelling in the waves of conflicting emotions that lap at every not-yet-adult is what makes this Sundance-premiering, Biarritz Film Festival Nouvelle Vagues Grand Prix-winning gem so potent.

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Moody C

@MoodyC Oct 13, 2026

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 Oct 10, 2026

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 Oct 9, 2026

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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