May December (2023)
Film · Drama
Stream itif you appreciate sharp psychological games and a chillingly precise exploration of human denial.
Uncomfortable and deliberately campy in its execution, this drama peels back layers of denial and exploitation. It is a masterclass in psychological tension that leaves the viewer feeling deeply unsettled rather than traditionally entertained.
What it is about
Twenty years after their notorious tabloid romance gripped the nation, a married couple buckles under the pressure when an actress arrives to do research for a film about their past.
Trailer
What May December is like, and who it is for
What it is like to watch
Watching this is a strange, shifting experience that dances between soap-opera melodrama and cold, clinical observation. It moves with a deliberate, almost predatory pace, underscored by a jarringly dramatic score that heightens the sense of unease. The intensity lies not in action, but in the micro-expressions and power shifts between the three leads. It feels voyeuristic, as if you are intruding on a domestic life built upon a foundation of repressed trauma and performance.
Who it is for, and who should skip it
This is essential viewing for fans of character-driven psychodramas who enjoy unpicking the layers of unreliable narrators. It is not for those seeking a straightforward redemption arc or comfortable moral clarity. An honest caveat is that the film leans into a specific brand of camp that might feel abrasive or tonally confusing to some. The subject matter—predatory behaviour and its long-term fallout—is treated with a chilling lack of sentimentality that can be quite distancing.
The right evening for it
It suits a quiet, focused evening when you are prepared to engage in a post-watch debate. It is the kind of film that requires full attention to catch the subtle, cruel manipulations at play.
Written by our AI from the facts on this page. It has opinions; it has not watched it.
Another trailer
Trailer · Official UK Trailer 1
How May December leaves you
One line on the mood it ends on, with no plot. Some people count that as a spoiler, so it stays hidden until you ask.
It leaves a lingering sense of profound discomfort and moral ambiguity. You will likely feel tainted by the voyeurism, ruminating on how people perform versions of themselves to survive their choices.
Stills
Images from TMDB.
If you like this, try
Notes on a Scandal (2006)
the examination of a scandalous relationship through an obsessive outsider's perspective
Persona (1966)
the psychological merging and parasitic mirroring between two central female characters
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More clips
Trailer · Official Trailer
Teaser · NYFF61 Teaser
Teaser · Official Social Tease
May December soundtrack
Music by Marcelo Zarvos and Michel Legrand
May December (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film)
Marcelo Zarvos & Michel Legrand · 2023 · 16 tracks
Listen on Apple Music- 1Opening · Michel Legrand
- 2Elizabeth Drives · Marcelo Zarvos
- 3Studying Gracie · Michel Legrand
- 4Butterfly Eggs · Michel Legrand
- 5Elizabeth Meets Ex · Michel Legrand
- 6Storage Room · Marcelo Zarvos
- 7Old Photos · Michel Legrand
- 8Joe and Father Talk · Marcelo Zarvos
- 9School Visit · Marcelo Zarvos
- 10Graduation · Michel Legrand
Album and songs from Apple Music.
Awards
May December was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars.
Oscars
- Nominated: Best Original Screenplay · Alex Mechanik, Samy Burch · 2024
2 other awards and nominationsShow
- Won: Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay · Samy Burch · 2024
- Won: New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay · Samy Burch · 2023
From Wikidata, which can miss some.
Questions people ask
- Is May December an authentic film?
- Yes. On Watchlist Boosted it is tagged Authentic. Uncomfortable and deliberately campy in its execution, this drama peels back layers of denial and exploitation. It is a masterclass in psychological tension that leaves the viewer feeling deeply unsettled rather than traditionally entertained.
- How long is May December?
- May December runs 117 min and was released in 2023.
- Where can I watch May December in Australia?
- In Australia, May December is included with Netflix (all plans), SBS On Demand (free).
- Where can I watch May December in the UK?
- In the UK, May December is included with Sky Go, Now TV.
- Was May December nominated for any awards?
- May December was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars.
- Who composed the music for May December?
- The music for May December is by Marcelo Zarvos and Michel Legrand. The soundtrack album, May December (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film), has 16 tracks.
- What songs are on the May December soundtrack?
- May December (Soundtrack from the Netflix Film) has 16 tracks, including “Opening” by Michel Legrand, “Elizabeth Drives” by Marcelo Zarvos, “Studying Gracie” by Michel Legrand, “Butterfly Eggs” by Michel Legrand and “Elizabeth Meets Ex” by Michel Legrand, and more. It is on Apple Music.
- Is May December worth watching?
- Stream it: if you appreciate sharp psychological games and a chillingly precise exploration of human denial. IMDb users rate it 6.7 out of 10 from 72,412 votes, Rotten Tomatoes gives it 91%, Metacritic 86 and TMDB users 6.6.
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