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Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story

Play trailer Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story 2026 1h 56m Biography Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 14 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Ratings

Critics Reviews

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Lisa Kennedy Variety 3d
While the film leans on other comics to celebrate Bamford’s unique delivery, deft timing and exquisite plying of vulnerability, it’s the time with her family -- her parents and her sister -- that grounds the documentary. Go to Full Review Kate Erbland IndieWire 4d
B
You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! And you’ll walk away with a hard-won appreciation for everything Maria Bamford is and hopes to be. Can we get a second part? Go to Full Review Bilge Ebiri New York Magazine/Vulture Jan 27
Watching Paralyzed by Hope, we start to understand why other comedians, including Apatow himself, would be so fascinated and electrified by Bamford’s work. She lives on the front lines of a war others only occasionally allow themselves to fight. Go to Full Review Nicholas Bell Fish Jelly Films (YouTube) 11h
4/5
A straightforward but loving homage to the incomparable comic Maria Bamford examining her life and professional accomplishments, including how they intertwined to create one of the most uniquely down-to-earth innovators of her craft. Go to Full Review Joey Magidson Awards Radar 1d
3/4
Judd Apatow chronicles a Comedian's successes and struggles in Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story. Go to Full Review Joseph Robinson Fish Jelly Films (YouTube) 5d
4/5
Paralyzed by Hope is exactly what you'd want from this kind of story—intimate access, sharp humor, real poignancy, and rich archival footage. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Judd Apatow

Director

Neil Berkeley

Director

Maria Bamford

Self

Judd Apatow

Producer

Neil Berkeley

Producer

Amanda Rohlke

Producer

Movie Info

Director
Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley
Producer
Judd Apatow, Neil Berkeley, Amanda Rohlke, David Heiman
Genre
Biography, Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 56m