【We love A24】C’mon C’mon (2021) [M]

Another awesome A24 film to sink our teeth into!

This film could be described simply as a man looking after his young nephew while the child’s mother is away. But that would miss the point entirely.

Joaquin Phoenix (best known for much darker roles) plays a kind, thoughtful radio journalist who suddenly finds himself responsible for a 9-year-old boy. What follows is a black-and-white road movie through Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans, and the messy spaces between being an adult and raising a child.

The conversations in this film feel real. The performances are subtle and understated—no over-the-top drama, no big twists, just the quiet, sometimes funny, sometimes heart-breaking moments that happen when you really listen to someone younger than you.

The film also features real interviews with kids from across America, woven into the story. They talk about the future, the world they’re inheriting, and what adults don’t understand about being young today. The result is part documentary, part drama, part meditation on connection and empathy.

Awards & Recognition:

• Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Woody Norman) – BAFTA Awards
• Gotham Award Winner – Best Feature
• National Board of Review – Top Ten Films of the Year

One reviewer called C’mon C’mon "a love letter to caretakers, parents, and anyone figuring out how to guide someone younger while still trying to grow up themselves."

This is a film for people who don’t mind slowing down, sitting with feelings, and thinking about the ways we teach each other to be human—especially across generations.

Come for the film. Stay for the kōrero!
Join us afterward for an open discussion about the film.