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Poetic License

Play trailer Poster for Poetic License 1h 57m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 26 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
Poetic License follows Liz (Leslie Mann) a former therapist and soon-to-be empty nester, who relocates to a new town for her husband's job -- a place where she doesn't know a soul. Her quiet attempt to settle in takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the point of tension between two inseparable best friends and college seniors, Sam (Cooper Hoffman) and Ari (Andrew Barth Feldman). As their fierce competition for her attention threatens to upend their lives, Liz is pulled into a tangle of longing, self-discovery, and the intoxicating thrill of being truly seen -- forcing her to confront the life she's built and the one she still craves.
Poetic License

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Buoyed by sharp banter and standout performances, Poetic License marks an ambitious, refreshingly intellectual directorial debut for Maude Apatow that brings a tender spin to the coming-of-age rom-com.

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Cast & Crew

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Maude Apatow

Director

Leslie Mann

Liz Cassidy

Cooper Hoffman

Ari Zimmer

Andrew Barth Feldman

Sam Solomon

Nico Parker

Dora Cassidy

Martha Kelly

Professor Greta Ellis

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Critics Reviews

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Dex Wesley Parra Austin Chronicle Mar 23, 2026
Poetic License is a refreshingly good-natured addition to the “two boys obsessed with the same woman” canon. Go to Full Review Jourdain Searles The Hollywood Reporter Sep 13, 2025
Despite its shortcomings, Poetic License is a film with a big heart populated by talented actors genuinely having fun with their characters. It’s a shame, then, that the story begins to fade from memory as soon as the credits roll. Go to Full Review Zachary Lee RogerEbert.com Sep 11, 2025
Maude Apatow has crafted a film for those who feel like life has crushed their ability to dream but who desire to recapture their wanderlust. Go to Full Review Michael Petrey Pop Culture Leftovers May 27, 2026
Maude Apatow impresses in her directorial debut, collaborating with her mother, Leslie Mann, who delivers a stellar performance alongside the hilariously energetic comedic duo of Andrew Barth Feldman and Cooper Hoffman. Go to Full Review Joshua Mbonu InSession Film May 5, 2026
B+
The film tends to run a bit long and redundant in structure by the time it starts concluding, but Maude Apatow matches the comedy of Raffi Donatich’s screenplay so well, and I am more than interested to see where her directorial efforts go next. Go to Full Review Derrick Murray That Hollywood Show Mar 24, 2026
Poetic License is powered by its sharp humor, confident direction, and an excellent comedic duo. Like most Apatow films, it putters out by the third act...but it succeeds far more often than it fails to restore the raunchy comedy back to its former glory. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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Poetic License

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Movie Info

Synopsis Poetic License follows Liz (Leslie Mann) a former therapist and soon-to-be empty nester, who relocates to a new town for her husband's job -- a place where she doesn't know a soul. Her quiet attempt to settle in takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the point of tension between two inseparable best friends and college seniors, Sam (Cooper Hoffman) and Ari (Andrew Barth Feldman). As their fierce competition for her attention threatens to upend their lives, Liz is pulled into a tangle of longing, self-discovery, and the intoxicating thrill of being truly seen -- forcing her to confront the life she's built and the one she still craves.
Director
Maude Apatow
Producer
Judd Apatow, Joshua Church, Thalia Daniel, Benjamin Hung, Maude Apatow, Olivia Rosenbloom, Will Greenfield
Screenwriter
Raffi Donatich, Raffi Donatich
Distributor
Row K Entertainment
Production Co
August Night, Apatow Productions, Jewelbox Pictures
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 16, 2026, Wide
Runtime
1h 57m
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