Young Adult (2011)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A struggling ghostwriter returns to her hometown to reclaim a past romance, only to face the harsh reality of her own delusions.
The story
Mavis Gary is a 37-year-old divorced, alcoholic ghostwriter for a series of young adult novels who is currently on a deadline to finish the final book. After receiving a photo of her high school boyfriend's newborn daughter, Mavis believes it is a sign that they are meant to be together. She leaves Minneapolis and returns to her hometown of Mercury, Minnesota, under the guise of overseeing a real estate deal. Upon arrival, she reconnects with a former classmate, Matt Freehauf, who warns her that her plan to reclaim her old life with Buddy is irrational and selfish.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Mavis Gary, a 37-year-old alcoholic ghostwriter, returns to her hometown of Mercury, Minnesota, to pursue her high school boyfriend, Buddy Slade, believing a photo of his new daughter is a sign of destiny. She meets a former classmate, Matt Freehauf, who is disfigured and disabled; he warns her that her goals are selfish, but she ignores him. Mavis eventually meets Buddy at a sports bar and is invited to a performance by Buddy's wife Beth's 'mom rock band.' During the gig, Mavis is mocked by other mothers and fails to impress Buddy. After a brief, interrupted kiss with Buddy, Mavis attends a naming ceremony for his daughter where she declares her love, but he rebuffs her. During a confrontation with Beth, Mavis reveals she had a miscarriage with Buddy years ago. Humiliated, she retreats to Matt. The next morning, Mavis decides to change herself and prepares to leave Mercury. On her way home, she writes a book ending where the protagonist leaves her past behind and looks toward the future.
- First release year
- 2011
- Runtime (minutes)
- 94
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Jason Reitman
- Writers
- Diablo Cody · writer
- Cast and characters
- Charlize Theron · Mavis Gary; Patton Oswalt · Matt Freehauf; Patrick Wilson · Buddy Slade; Elizabeth Reaser · Beth
- Genres
- comedy-drama; black comedy
- Themes
- prolonged adolescence; alcoholism; depression; stunted development
- Tone and mood
- dour; funny; cynical; feel-bad
- Premise and plot tags
- ghostwriting; alcoholism; depression; writer
- Content notes
- alcoholism; depression; hair pulling
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with an approval rating of 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and a weighted average of 71 on Metacritic.
- Production trivia
- The film was shot on a $12 million budget in 30 days.; The bulk of the movie was shot north of New York City in several towns including White Plains and Garden City.; Patton Oswalt consulted an acting coach and a physical therapist to prepare for his role.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…