Sherrybaby
A newly released ex-convict fights addiction, shame, and family distrust while trying to reclaim her place in her young daughter's life.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- bleak
- emotionally arresting
- compassionate
- serious drama night
- character study viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an emotionally arresting and authentic character drama, especially for Maggie Gyllenhaal's riveting performance, while finding its bleakness and plausibility uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Sherry's attempts to remain sober and reconnect with her daughter are repeatedly threatened by cravings, old habits, and unstable circumstances.
Sherry's central goal is to regain a meaningful place in her young daughter's life after serving a prison sentence.
The film follows Sherry's return to New Jersey through intimate, emotionally arresting moments rather than heroic recovery conventions.
Sherry's love for Alexis coexists with impulsive decisions and behavior that repeatedly endangers her effort to parent.
Films like Sherrybaby, and why
Rachel Getting Married
raw social realism, addiction recovery, and an emotionally volatile female protagonist
The Lost Weekend
grounded family drama centered on addiction, damaged relationships, and difficult reintegration
The Florida Project
intimate naturalistic drama about a troubled parent struggling to rebuild family bonds
Half Nelson
unflinching addiction drama driven by a powerful lead performance and precarious recovery
Movie Details
- Director
- Laurie Collyer
- Release Date
- 2006-09-08
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (152)
Cast
- Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Brad William Henke
- Sam Bottoms
- Giancarlo Esposito
- Bridget Barkan
- Ryan Simpkins
- Kate Burton
- Rio Hackford
- Danny Trejo
- Michelle Hurst
Common questions
- What is Sherrybaby about?
- A newly released ex-convict fights addiction, shame, and family distrust while trying to reclaim her place in her young daughter's life.
- What is Sherrybaby like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Sherrybaby as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Sherrybaby violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Sherrybaby as mild.
- What did critics think of Sherrybaby?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an emotionally arresting and authentic character drama, especially for Maggie Gyllenhaal's riveting performance, while finding its bleakness and plausibility uneven.
- Which films are like Sherrybaby?
- Films with a similar feel include Rachel Getting Married, The Lost Weekend, The Florida Project, and Half Nelson.
- How long is Sherrybaby?
- Sherrybaby runs 96 minutes.
