Poms

Poms

Year: 2019

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Zara Hayes

Echo Score: 38

Budget: $10M

DramaComedy

A retiree seeking peace and quiet finds her life unexpectedly changed when a vibrant new neighbor encourages her to embrace a more active lifestyle. Together, they form a senior cheerleading squad, challenging societal expectations and discovering the power of teamwork. Facing personal doubts and external skepticism, the women learn that pursuing passions and defying limitations knows no age.

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Timeline & Setting – Poms (2019)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Poms (2019). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

New York, Sun Springs Retirement Community, Georgia

The film is primarily set at Sun Springs, a Georgia retirement community where residents are encouraged to join clubs and participate in organized activities. The early move from New York frames Martha's relocation as a fresh start in a place built around social life and intergenerational engagement. The setting serves as a backdrop for friendships, rivalry, and the pursuit of meaningful moments in later life.

🏷️ Retirement community 🗽 New York 🗺️ Georgia

Last Updated: January 08, 2026 at 11:59

Main Characters – Poms (2019)

Meet the key characters of Poms (2019), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Martha (Diane Keaton)

A woman dying of cancer who relocates from New York to Sun Springs to forego further treatment. She is determined to reclaim purpose through activity and leadership, channeling her past as a cheerleader into a new community project. Martha is resourceful, stubborn, and deeply human as she navigates fear, friendship, and the risk of letting go. Her journey centers on finding meaning and connection in the face of illness.

🏷️ Protagonist 🏷️ Elderly 🏷️ Cancer

Sheryl (Jacki Weaver)

Martha's neighbor who becomes a catalyst for the cheerleading idea. She is pragmatic, at times pushy, but ultimately supportive as she helps organize activities and recruits teammates. Sheryl balances tough leadership with a growing sense of loyalty to Martha and the group. Her dynamic with Martha drives much of the film’s conflict and warmth.

🏷️ Friend 🏷️ Mentor

Ben (Charlie Tahan)

Sheryl's teenage grandson who is hired to DJ their pep rallies. He brings a youthful energy and tech-savvy presence to the group, bridging generations. Ben's involvement helps the seniors connect with contemporary culture while supporting the club's momentum.

🏷️ DJ 🏷️ Teen

Chloe (Alisha Boe)

Sheryl's student who initially teases the older group but becomes their choreographer and coach. Chloe evolves from a source of friction to a trusted collaborator, helping the women grow their routine. Her presence highlights the power of empathy and mentorship across age gaps.

🏷️ Student 🏷️ Choreographer

Helen (Phyllis Somerville)

A member of the club whose injury tests the group's resolve. Her illness and family dynamics, including her overbearing son, add emotional stakes to the journey. Helen's resilience contributes to the ensemble's determination to compete and persevere.

🏷️ Elderly 🏷️ Hospitalization

Olive (Pam Grier)

One of the initial six women who join the cheer squad, bringing warmth and personality to the group. Olive's presence helps ground the team in friendship and shared laughter. She embodies the movie's theme of vitality in later life.

🏷️ Elderly 🏷️ Friend

Alice (Rhea Perlman)

Another member of the community who participates in the club, contributing steadiness and camaraderie. Alice's participation reinforces the idea that community ties can be forged through shared hobbies and mutual support.

🏷️ Elderly 🏷️ Community

Phyllis (Patricia French)

A fellow resident whose involvement underscores the inclusivity and variety within the Sun Springs group. Her presence helps demonstrate the diverse personalities that come together when pursuing a common goal.

🏷️ Elderly 🏷️ Veteran

Vicki (Celia Weston)

The community supervisor who oversees Sun Springs and ultimately votes to disband the cheer club. Vicki's decisions reflect the tension between tradition and the residents' desire for self-expression. Her role tests the group's resilience and unity.

🏷️ Authority 🏷️ Administrator

Chief Carl (Bruce McGill)

Sun Springs' security chief who intervenes in noisy disturbances and later assists the group during their attempt to reach the competition. Carl represents the authority figure who tweaks the balance between control and compassion in the community.

🏷️ Security 🏷️ Authority

Evelyn (Ginny MacColl)

A member of the Sun Springs community who joins the cheer squad, contributing to the sense of a cooperative, multi-member group. Evelyn's involvement highlights the ensemble nature of the story and the ripple effects of building a team.

🏷️ Elderly 🏷️ Teamwork

Last Updated: January 08, 2026 at 11:59

Major Themes – Poms (2019)

Explore the central themes of Poms (2019), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Friendship

Martha's move to Sun Springs sparks new bonds across generations, highlighting how companionship can redefine life after diagnosis. The group’s camaraderie grows through shared goal-setting, practice, and support during setbacks. The film suggests that friendship can inject purpose and joy into aging, transforming lonely routines into active, communal experiences.

💪 Resilience

Facing terminal illness, Martha fights to stay engaged with life and to prove that she can still lead and inspire. The cheerleading project becomes a symbol of stubborn optimism, with the group adapting to physical limits and setbacks. Resilience emerges from collective effort and a willingness to take risks for something meaningful.

🕊️ Mortality

Martha's illness casts a quiet, ongoing pressure that shapes choices and relationships. The narrative uses mortality to explore legacy, memory, and the desire to leave a lasting impact on others. The finale turns Martha's life into a celebration of influence, love, and the communities formed around her.

Last Updated: January 08, 2026 at 11:59

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Movies about late bloomers like Poms

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a central female character forming a pivotal friendship or joining a group of women. This relationship becomes the core of the story, helping characters overcome personal doubts, external obstacles, or profound life changes. The journey is marked by shared vulnerability, collective strength, and a mix of joyous and somber moments.

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These films are grouped by their heartfelt exploration of female camaraderie. They share a specific emotional mix: the warmth and humor of friendship blending with the poignant realism of life's hardships, resulting in a deeply resonant, bittersweet, and ultimately uplifting experience.

Unlock the Full Story of Poms

Don't stop at just watching — explore Poms in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Poms is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Poms Summary

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Poms Summary

Poms Timeline

Track the full timeline of Poms with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Poms Timeline

Poms Spoiler-Free Summary

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Poms Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Poms

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