May December (2023)

May December is a psychological drama directed by Todd Haynes, starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton. The film is inspired by a true story and dives deep into the murky waters of scandal, identity, performance, and emotional trauma. A layered, nuanced character study wrapped in an eerie atmosphere, it asks: what happens when we relive our past through the eyes of someone else?

Detailed Summary

A Story Inspired by Tabloid Infamy

The film centers around Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), a woman who decades earlier became notorious for her illicit relationship with a seventh-grade student, Joe (Charles Melton). Now married and living a quiet life in Savannah, Georgia with Joe—who is 23 years her junior—they are preparing for their twins’ high school graduation.

Enter Elizabeth Berry (Natalie Portman), a famous actress researching a role in an upcoming film where she will portray Gracie. She visits the Atherton-Yoo household under the guise of “research,” gradually becoming more involved in the family’s delicate balance.

Elizabeth’s Descent into the Role

As Elizabeth embeds herself into Gracie’s life, she starts to mirror her behaviors, mannerisms, and speech. Her presence disrupts the carefully maintained illusion of domestic harmony. Elizabeth tries to understand whether Gracie truly feels guilt or has fully rationalized her past actions. Meanwhile, Joe’s unresolved trauma begins to surface as Elizabeth’s probing questions grow bolder.

The film subtly shifts into a psychological duel between Gracie and Elizabeth—one trying to maintain control, the other trying to uncover truth while also manipulating it for performance.

Joe’s Awakening

As Elizabeth becomes a more disruptive presence, Joe—initially emotionally distant and passive—starts to confront his feelings. He’s no longer a silent participant in a story told by others. In one of the most chilling scenes, Elizabeth challenges Joe about how young he was when the relationship began and whether he truly gave consent. This confrontation leaves Joe visibly shaken and begins a gradual emotional unravelling.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Elizabeth completes her “research” and leaves, ostensibly to begin filming the movie inspired by Gracie’s life. Before she goes, Gracie has a nearly unhinged monologue where she attempts to both justify and normalize what she did to Joe. Elizabeth doesn’t respond—her silence is louder than any accusation.

After Elizabeth’s departure, Joe breaks down completely. In a heartbreaking scene, he walks into the kitchen, crying silently as he prepares food—an action he has done on autopilot for years. The weight of his suppressed trauma is finally unbearable, and the moment serves as a devastating reminder that he was never allowed to process his own past.

The film closes not with resolution, but with a performance: Elizabeth, on the film set, mimicking Gracie’s eerie composure. The real woman and the performance become indistinguishable. The audience is left to wonder: has Elizabeth learned the truth, or has she just absorbed another persona for her craft?

There is no post-credits scene in May December, and the film ends in a deliberately ambiguous, unsettling way that lingers long after the screen fades to black.

Type of Movie

May December is a psychological drama with elements of satire and true-crime-inspired storytelling. It’s a slow-burn character piece with thriller undertones, more about emotion, power dynamics, and ethical ambiguity than overt plot twists.

Cast

• Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry
• Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo
• Charles Melton as Joe Yoo
• Cory Michael Smith as Georgie
• Piper Curda, Gabriel Chung, and D.W. Moffett in supporting roles

Film Music and Composer

The haunting, often melodramatic score is composed by Marcelo Zarvos, but the standout feature is the re-use of Michel Legrand’s score from The Go-Between (1971). The lush, romantic music contrasts sharply with the unsettling content, creating a dissonance that amplifies the film’s unease.

Filming Locations

May December was shot in Savannah, Georgia, whose Southern charm and quiet streets are used effectively to create a picture-perfect backdrop for the story’s disturbing undercurrents. The town’s visual calmness contrasts with the psychological turmoil of the characters, enhancing the story’s eerie tone.

Awards and Nominations

• Cannes Film Festival 2023: Official Selection
• Independent Spirit Awards: Nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Female Lead
• Golden Globe Nominations: Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore received acting nods
• Academy Award Buzz: Charles Melton gained significant acclaim for Best Supporting Actor potential

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Todd Haynes was drawn to the script because of its meta-acting premise—an actress playing a woman who played a version of herself.
• Natalie Portman also served as a producer on the film.
• The cast rehearsed for several weeks to develop naturalistic tension rather than plot-driven drama.
• Charles Melton prepared for his role by avoiding emotional expression in early scenes, gradually showing more vulnerability as the story unfolds.
• The screenplay was inspired in part by the Mary Kay Letourneau case, but is fictionalized and reframed through a darker psychological lens.

Inspirations and References

• Loosely inspired by the real-life case of Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who had a relationship with a 12-year-old student.
• Michel Legrand’s The Go-Between score is a direct cinematic reference, reflecting the theme of a young person entangled in adult manipulations.
• The film’s themes mirror Todd Haynes’ previous work in Far from Heaven and Carol—exploring appearances, repression, and inner conflict.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no publicly known alternate endings, but some dialogue-heavy scenes were trimmed in the editing room to maintain pacing. Todd Haynes has mentioned that some flashbacks to Joe’s childhood were removed to keep the ambiguity intact—focusing more on the present dynamic than the origin story.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not based on a book, but the script by Samy Burch draws on real-life scandals and fictionalizes them. The structure and tone feel novelistic in how they examine inner lives and ethical gray zones.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Elizabeth mimicking Gracie in the mirror, testing how she might “become” her.
• The awkward birthday party scene where Elizabeth provokes Joe with invasive questions.
• The final shot of Elizabeth performing Gracie’s character in front of a camera—art imitating a deeply broken life.

Iconic Quotes

• Gracie: “People change. But memory… memory doesn’t always get the memo.”
• Elizabeth: “I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to understand you.”
• Joe: “I was just a kid. I didn’t even know what I was saying yes to.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The twins’ graduation date parallels the real-life timeline of the Letourneau case.
• Several mirror shots symbolizing duality, self-reflection, and identity performance.
• The “May” and “December” metaphors recur visually—flowers blooming alongside autumn leaves, etc.

Trivia

• Charles Melton was best known for his role in Riverdale, and his casting surprised many—his performance was widely praised.
• Julianne Moore consulted with vocal coaches to develop Gracie’s strange, almost caricatured speech pattern.
• The film was shot in just 23 days.
• This was Natalie Portman’s first collaboration with Todd Haynes, though they had reportedly discussed working together for years.

Why Watch?

If you enjoy psychological dramas that are slow-burning, morally complex, and character-driven, May December is a must-watch. It challenges viewers to consider the stories we tell about trauma, and how performance—whether on stage, in front of cameras, or in life—can be a form of denial.

It’s not an easy film, but it’s an unforgettable one. With incredible performances (especially from Charles Melton), a chilling atmosphere, and razor-sharp direction, it’s a film that lingers.

Director’s Other Movies

• Carol (2015)
• Far from Heaven (2002)
• I’m Not There (2007)
• Safe (1995)
• Dark Waters (2019)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Black Swan (2010)
• Tár (2022)
• Notes on a Scandal (2006)
• The Assistant (2019)
• Little Children (2006)
• Persona (1966)