critics consensus

A ruefully funny calling card for debuting director Emma Seligman, Shiva Baby transcends its sitcom setup with strong performances and satisfying insights. Read critic reviews

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Shiva Baby Videos

Shiva Baby: Red Band Trailer

Shiva Baby: Trailer 1

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Shiva Baby Photos

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Movie Info

While at a Jewish funeral service with her parents, a college student has an awkward encounter with her sugar daddy and her ex-girlfriend.

Genre:

comedy, gay and lesbian, drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Emma Seligman
Producer:

Kieran Altmann, Katie Schiller, Lizzie Shapiro
Writer:

Emma Seligman
Release Date (Theaters):

Apr 2, 2021 limited
Release Date (Streaming):

Apr 2, 2021
Runtime:

1h 17m
Production Co:

Neon Heart Productions

Cast & Crew

Rachel Sennott
Danielle

Molly Gordon
Maya

Polly Draper
Debbie

Danny Deferrari
Max

Fred Melamed
Joel

Dianna Agron
Kim

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Shiva Baby

Indie Fresh List: Concrete Cowboy, Hysterical, and Shiva Baby

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Critic Reviews for Shiva Baby

All Critics (91) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (88) | Rotten (3)

What keeps you watching is the way "Shiva Baby" puts us on Danielle's side throughout, even as she's sabotaging herself with further lies and lox.

April 12, 2021 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Ty Burr
Boston Globe
In that grasp of twentysomething aimlessness, Sennott and Seligman make Shiva Baby more fulfilling than grazing on a condolences basket.

April 9, 2021 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review…

Richard Whittaker
Austin Chronicle
Seligman has a deft touch with this zippy material, making "Shiva Baby" a joy to watch as Rachel stumbles from one awkward conversation to the next.

April 9, 2021 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Randy Myers
San Jose Mercury News
Sennott is a revelation, and that matters; she carries much of the picture's weight on her face, and its ability to express the mounting levels of stress and deadpan reactions.

April 8, 2021 | Full Review…

Jason Bailey
New York Times
It's like a feature length anxiety attack... It's not a comforting watch, but if you're in the mood to really be "in a mood," this is a good pick.

April 6, 2021 | Full Review…

Angie Han
FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)
It really has this charm and energy... It's just high anxiety, where you're yelling at the screen.

April 6, 2021 | Full Review…

Amy Nicholson
FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)
The tactic gets a bit overplayed but in the end, the performers, deep into their roles and Seligman's vision, hold it tight on its track of dark dysfunction.

April 10, 2021 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Tom Meek
Cambridge Day
Although Shiva Baby is a simple story, it's emotionally full, equal parts infuriating, touching, funny and sad -- and always disconcertingly uncomfortable.

April 9, 2021 | Full Review…

Cynthia Vinney
CBR
Writer-director Emma Seligman's quirky comedy is her impressive debut feature.

April 9, 2021 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Comedy thrives on wacky concepts, but an unlikeable main character in an annoying situation is a much tougher sell.

April 8, 2021 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Tara McNamara
Common Sense Media
There's more than just mourning going on at this Shiva Baby, it's a mix of laughter, tears, and frustration. That's just family, I guess.

April 8, 2021 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Leo Brady
AMovieGuy.com
Shiva Baby mines comedic gold from an increasingly uncomfortable scenario while still finding time to explore a myriad of ideas about young adulthood.

April 7, 2021 | Rating: 9/10 | Full Review…

Nicolás Delgadillo
Cultured Vultures