When You Finish Saving the World

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When You Finish Saving the World

R

2023

1h 28m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

62%

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155 Reviews

73%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings

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 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.

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Critics Consensus

Its characters may be hard to take, but When You Finish Saving the World makes some cogent sociopolitical points.

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Rebecca Tucker

Globe and Mail

Jan 27, 2023

Does so much telling, and so little showing, that it’s hard not to walk away from the film feeling, frankly, talked down to.

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Sheila O'Malley

RogerEbert.com

Jan 25, 2023

2/4

The characters are broadly drawn and mostly broadly played, so much so that the film plays like a skit about clueless do-gooder liberals.

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Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

Jan 20, 2023

Gentle, interwoven tensions... hold When You Finish Saving the World together, albeit just barely.

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Maxance Vincent

Film Speak

Jul 13, 2025

C+

Jesse Eisenberg’s feature directorial debut is muddled.

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Calum Baker

Radio Times

Jan 30, 2025

3/5

There is a sense of foregone conclusion to the story, but the central relationship is so confidently drawn that this rather familiar indie works naturally and honestly on its own terms.

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Hayley Croke

Loud and Clear Reviews

Oct 2, 2024

Evelyn and Ziggy may come across as unlikeable, it’s clear Eisenberg has just written them as morally complex.

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Daniella

Jan 24, 2023

SUCH A GOOD MOVIE BRO

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CG

Jan 23, 2023

This is a very offbeat, yet funny and touching movie of both mother and son, who may or may not. realize that both are just the same chip of the old block. See it you will be pleasantly surprised.

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K M

Jan 22, 2023

Good movie about family dynamics.

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Helen

Jan 21, 2023

Good acting but very dry

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Lilymay T

@RT52117650 Jul 22, 2026

It’s very deep. I enjoyed it. I think there was a lot to the characters that wasn’t recognized but it was a beautiful film and the ending was precious

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river T

@bigjerome Feb 2, 2026

This movie SUCKED, I wasted my four dollars, why is that mom obsessed with Kyle and why did she harass him; and why is Ziggy so obsessed with being political. This movie is so boring it's so stupid why is it so stupid and why are you so stupid? This is probably the worst movie I've ever seen, and their arguments are so stupid, there was no plot, no feeling, it was so weird. Why was Ziggy so obsessed with this girl, I'm glad they didn't end up dating. They need to take this movie down. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM OR SOLUTION. The only thing that made this movie SLIGHTLY enjoyable was the acting and Finn Wolfhard. And Ziggy's music sucks. 0 stars, don't listen to the half I rated it.

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Jesse Eisenberg

Director

Julianne Moore

Evelyn

Finn Wolfhard

Ziggy

Billy Bryk

Kyle

Alisha Boe

Actor

Jay O. Sanders

Actor

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Synopsis

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 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.

Director: Jesse Eisenberg
Producer: Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Emma Stone
Screenwriter: Jesse Eisenberg
Distributor: A24
Production Co: CAA Media Finance, Universal Films, Fruit Tree Media
Rating: R (Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 2023, Wide
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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