Charlize Theron's Most Underrated Movie Is This 2018 Dramedy From 'Juno' Creators

In 2018, Tully, a comedy-drama from the Juno creators, director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody, was released. Starring Charlize Theron and Mackenzie Davis, the film tells the story of a mother of two preparing to give birth to her third child while barely managing daily life.

The movie is a nuanced exploration of postpartum depression and reminds all mothers that feeling exhausted and asking for help is perfectly normal.

What Is 'Tully' About?

Marlo is pregnant with her third child and is struggling to cope with the demands of daily life, surrounded by dirty diapers and a baby who won't stop crying. Her brother urges her to hire a nanny, and she eventually agrees.

A young woman named Tully joins the household and makes life significantly easier for Marlo. The woman gradually realizes that self-care is the foundation of motherhood – without it, caring for children can become an overwhelming burden.

'Tully' Is Worth Watching if Only for the Duo of Charlize Theron & Mackenzie Davis

Known for her transformation in Monster, Charlize Theron delivers a remarkable performance here, both in her acting and physicality – she lays bare the unglamorous, gritty realities of motherhood, eschewing Hollywood polish.

Theron plays a woman who loves her children but deeply struggles with her weight gain, her lack of time with her husband, and her inability to be a perfect mother.

Mackenzie Davis, who is usually cast as cool, introverted characters, is surprisingly natural as an energetic and caring nanny. Together, they elevate Tully into a vibrant, relevant drama about family values.

'Tully' Offers an Honest Look at Motherhood and Postpartum Depression

Tully is not afraid to address the darker side of motherhood. Cinema often portrays an unrealistic image of mothers – impeccable figures with flawless time management skills and no bags under their eyes.

Reitman and Cody created a film showing that it's okay to be exhausted, struggle under the weight of responsibility, and ask for help.

Tully is almost certainly a confessional work, drawing on the personal experiences of its screenwriter, who was forty years old and a mother of three when the movie was made.

The film contains enough humor to ensure that, despite telling the story of a woman suffering from depression, the audience does not leave feeling depressed.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Tully'?

• Tully has 87% from critics and 75% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.9/10.

• On Letterboxd, Tully scored 3.6/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Tully'?

Tully is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.