Joy (2024) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

Audience Reviews

Michael W This medical movie was really good. James Norton, Thomasin McKenzie, Bill Nighy, and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job in this movie. This true story about the IVF procedure for women that are infertile and can't have children was dramatic, inspirational, and heartfelt. It's about giving women hope that they can have a baby no matter how long it takes. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Alan W Spanning a decade from 1968 when Thomasin McKenzie's young nurse Jean Purdy begins working with James Norton's biologist Bob Edwards, until (spoiler alert) the arrival of the world's first 'Test Tube Baby' in 1978, this plucky and typically British underdog biographical drama tells the story of the birth of IVF treatments for infertile couples through the eyes of the often unsung and little known Purdy. Particularly, the opposition she faces from her church and her religious mother played by Joanna Scanlan who refuses to see her if she continues to work on the project which she considers unholy. With a not particularly stretched Bill Nighy playing gynecologist surgeon, Patrick Steptoe who then completes the indefatigable trio of trailblazers, the film charts the usual scientific and personal ups and downs they had to face before they finally find success. A solid but conventional biopic that pretty much hits those narrative beats as you'd expect, director Ben Taylor does manage to open up the film with a few quaintly cinematic shots of Cambridge and generally adopting a warm palette and tone in his production designs; while the script by the prolific Jack Thorne strikes a right balance between the inevitable scientific expositions we have to get through and the humanity and human stories behind the science. A capable cast delivers, especially McKenzie who proves to be a solid anchor in this cosy and worthy film which finally does justice to Purdy and celebrate her invaluable contribution which makes this scientific achievement possible. Meanwhile, its contemporary relevance in allowing women a choice over their bodies and how the fear of the unknown can lead traditional institutions, be it religious or professional ones, to come to bad or misguided conclusions on certain subject matters, has not gone unnoticed either. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/01/24 Full Review Tinker T A perfect example of why movies exist. Heart, facts and triumphant. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/30/24 Full Review Joshua m Joy is a great story, made more so by it being a biopic. Great acting, but also bittersweet. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/30/24 Full Review Bruce W A story that needed to be told although given the subject matter it was perhaps a little slow in the telling. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/26/24 Full Review Ellie R Edwards, Purdy and Steptoe put the JOY in Louise Joy Brown: the first IVF baby.The film follows the work of the pioneers who, over 10 years, successfully created the medicine which resulted in childbirth in 1978. During the film, we see the set backs the scientists endured but also the positive impacts caused, for example, the formation of groups such as the 'Ovum Club' (made up of the first women who underwent IVF treatment in 1968) who are now well known for their resilience and contribution to the scientific discovery. Overall, I found the film both inspiring and entertaining. The educational aspect of the film kept me engaged and interested. If you like films based off real life events/ stories, I definitely recommend this film. Without spoiling, the only reason I rate 'JOY' 4.5/5 stars is for the personal excuse of being quite squeamish and, as expected, a detailed surgery is performed. Despite this, the film was incredible. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Joy

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