Tully

Tully

Year: 2018

Runtime: 95 min

Language: English

Director: Jason Reitman

Echo Score: 75

Budget: $13M

DramaComedy

Overwhelmed by the challenges of motherhood and caring for a newborn, a woman receives a night nanny from her brother. Initially resistant to the help, she gradually connects with the energetic and insightful young caregiver, Tully. As their bond deepens, the woman finds an unexpected friend and confidante who helps her navigate the complexities of balancing motherhood with her own personal identity and well-being.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Tully yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Tully (2018)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Tully (2018). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The film is set in contemporary times, reflecting the realities of modern parenting and the pressures faced by working mothers. It captures the nuances of family dynamics in today's fast-paced society.

Location

Marlo's Home, Brooklyn

The story primarily unfolds in Marlo's home, which is filled with the chaos and love that comes with having three children. Brooklyn serves as a backdrop for Marlo's fleeting moments of escapism, showcasing urban life and the challenges of modern motherhood.

🏡 Home 🌆 City

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:27

Main Characters – Tully (2018)

Meet the key characters of Tully (2018), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Marlo (Charlize Theron)

Marlo is a pregnant mother of three, navigating the challenges of motherhood and the complexities of family dynamics. Her character is portrayed as resilient yet overwhelmed, embodying the struggles of modern parenting.

👩‍👧‍👦 Mother 💪 Resilience 😰 Overwhelmed

Drew (Ron Livingston)

Drew is Marlo's supportive husband, grappling with his own insecurities about fatherhood and family dynamics. His character adds depth to the portrayal of partnership in parenting, highlighting the need for understanding and communication in relationships.

👨‍👧‍👦 Father 🤔 Insecure

Tully (Mackenzie Davis)

Tully is the night nanny who becomes a pivotal figure in Marlo's life, offering support and companionship during her struggles. As a free spirit, Tully represents both escapism and the transformative power of friendship.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Friend 🌟 Supportive

Jonah (Asher Miles Fallica)

Jonah is Marlo and Drew's son, who faces challenges related to autism. His character emphasizes the need for patience and understanding as his family navigates his unique requirements and behavior.

👦 Son 🌈 Unique

Sarah (Lia Frankland)

Sarah is Marlo and Drew's daughter, whose role highlights the typical sibling experiences in a busy household. She adds to the dynamics of family life, balancing her needs with her mother's responsibilities.

👧 Daughter 😊 Sibling

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:27

Major Themes – Tully (2018)

Explore the central themes of Tully (2018), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👩‍👧‍👦 Motherhood

The film deeply explores the theme of motherhood, showcasing the challenges, joys, and emotional struggles that come with raising children. Marlo's journey highlights the societal expectations placed on mothers and the need for support during challenging times.

🧠 Mental Health

Mental health is a crucial theme in the film, illustrating the toll that exhaustion and societal pressures can take on a new mother's psyche. Marlo's experiences with Tully reveal her inner struggles and ultimately emphasize the importance of recognizing one's mental health needs.

👭 Friendship

The bond between Marlo and Tully represents the power of friendship in overcoming life's challenges. Tully serves as a catalyst for Marlo's transformation, showcasing how meaningful connections can provide support and encouragement during trying times.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:27

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about psychological journeys and self-discovery like Tully

Character-driven stories exploring mental breakdowns and the path to healing.If you appreciated the deep dive into Marlo's psyche in Tully, you'll find similar stories here. This collection features movies like Tully that focus on mental health, identity crises, and the quiet, profound journey of self-discovery and healing after a breakdown.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread follow a protagonist grappling with internal turmoil, often triggered by life pressures like motherhood, work, or grief. The story builds steadily towards a climax that reveals the depth of their psychological struggle, which can be depicted literally or through metaphorical or dreamlike elements. The arc typically concludes with a moment of catharsis and a step towards integration and recovery.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together for their shared focus on internal conflict over external plot. They prioritize emotional authenticity, employ a steady, contemplative pace to build psychological depth, and balance heavy themes with a ultimately hopeful or bittersweet resolution, creating a deeply resonant and cathartic viewing experience.

Grounded and bittersweet family dramas like Tully

Honest and emotionally resonant stories about the complexities of modern families.For viewers who connected with the authentic portrayal of motherhood and family dynamics in Tully, this section highlights similar movies. Discover other films like Tully that explore the exhausting, bittersweet, and ultimately rewarding complexities of family life with emotional honesty.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist, often a parent, navigating the relentless demands of family while their own identity and well-being are stretched to the limit. Conflict arises from internal pressure and the gap between expectation and reality. The story finds its resolution not in a dramatic escape, but in a hard-won acceptance, a renewed appreciation for small moments, and a stabilized, if imperfect, family unit.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific tonal blend: they are bittersweet, balancing the bleakness of real struggle with glimmers of hope and warmth. They feature a steady pacing that mirrors the rhythm of daily life, a medium emotional weight that feels impactful without being devastating, and a focus on authentic, often exhausting, family dynamics.

Unlock the Full Story of Tully

Don't stop at just watching — explore Tully 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 Tully is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Tully Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Tully, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Tully Summary

Tully Timeline

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

Tully Timeline

Tully Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Tully? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Tully Ending Explained

Tully Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Tully that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Tully Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Tully

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Tully: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Tully

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Discover movies like Tully that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.