50/50 (2011)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A journalist facing a 50/50 survival rate for a cancerous tumor must navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and mortality.
The story
Adam Lerner, a 27-year-old public radio journalist in Seattle, is diagnosed with schwannoma neurofibrosarcoma, a cancerous tumor in his spine. Upon discovering that his survival rate is 50/50, he must begin chemotherapy. While navigating his illness, Adam relies on his immature best friend Kyle and his girlfriend Rachael, though their dynamics are strained by the reality of his condition. Adam also begins seeing a young therapist, Katherine McKay, who helps him navigate the emotional toll of his diagnosis and the complexities of his mother's health.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Adam Lerner, a Seattle public radio journalist, is diagnosed with a cancerous spinal tumor with a 50/50 survival rate. As he begins chemotherapy, he balances his treatment with his relationship with Rachael and his friendship with Kyle, who often uses Adam's illness for his own social gain. Adam meets other cancer patients, Mitch and Alan, bonding over cannabis-laced macaroons. While Rachael struggles with the demands of caretaking, Adam begins a therapeutic relationship with Katherine McKay, a Ph.D. candidate. After Mitch dies, Adam's mortality hits him hard, leading to a verbal outburst at Kyle. When chemo fails, Adam faces a risky surgery. Before the operation, he reconciles with Kyle after realizing the sincerity behind his friend's behavior. Following a successful surgery that removes the tumor, Adam prepares to start a new life with Katherine, finally cancer-free.
- Original title
- I'm with Cancer
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 100
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jonathan Levine
- Writers
- Will Reiser · writer
- Cast and characters
- Joseph Gordon-Levitt · Adam Lerner; Seth Rogen · Kyle; Anna Kendrick · Katherine McKay; Bryce Dallas Howard · Rachael; Anjelica Huston · Diane
- Genres
- drama; buddy drama
- Themes
- friendship; mortality; cancer; male bonding
- Tone and mood
- humorous; pathos; moving
- Premise and plot tags
- buddy drama; biographical; cancer; journalism
- Source material / true-story basis
- loosely inspired by Will Reiser's own experience with cancer
- Content notes
- cannabis
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews, with particular praise for the lead performances and the screenplay.
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe · Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The title was originally 'I'm with Cancer' and was changed to '50/50' to avoid alienating audiences.; James McAvoy was originally cast as the lead but left for personal reasons.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…