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Short Term 12

Play trailer Poster for Short Term 12 R 2013 1h 36m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 174 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
A supervisor (Brie Larson) at a group home for at-risk teens connects with a new resident (Kaitlyn Dever) while facing a personal crisis of her own.

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Short Term 12

Short Term 12

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Critics Consensus

Short Term 12 is an emphatic, revealing drama that pulls audiences into the perspective of neglected youths.

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Critics Reviews

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Geoffrey Macnab Independent (UK) 12/10/2013
3/5
Brie Larson is very impressive as the caring, funny supervisor whose own demons threaten to engulf her. Go to Full Review Ben Sachs Chicago Reader 12/10/2013
Set in a foster-care facility outside of San Francisco, this independent drama is vivid and heartfelt in its depiction of social work, at times recalling some of Frederick Wiseman's great documentary portraits. Go to Full Review Liam Lacey Globe and Mail 11/15/2013
3/4
The film's climax feels a little rushed and overwrought, but the movie's real resonance is its exploration of empathy and vocation. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 5
3.5/4
Cretton doesn’t shy away from showing the results of the brutalities life has hurled at these poor kids. Go to Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 12/28/2023
5/5
Ten years after its theatrical release, Short Term 12 remains nothing short of a masterpiece. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/25/2022
4/5
A movie that doesn’t lose itself in the typical Hollywood contrivances and forced melodrama... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jennifer B. @itsjenloveya Feb 5 I thought this movie was amazing one of my favorites that I will always re-watch, or make my friends watch it if they haven't seen it before this movie will akways be in my heart See more Rajarishik B @RT46055806 Jan 4 A really good movie . I think every adult or i anyone is having a bad time should watch this movie. Every character is so well written that you will find a piece of you in any of the character. When you sit and watch the movie it is like an the movie is teaching something to you . And when your watching the end scene of the movie and there is no smile or a feeling on your face consider your self as inhuman. See more Juan A. @itscheezybaby Nov 17 I like going in blind into movies. Try to know as little as I can on it. So again my first notes 
Remi Malek? 
Lakeith Stanfield‽ 
It’s really good. The only part that felt off was right after Brie Larson smashed the lamp. Everything that followed felt out of character See more tiantian C. @tcai34 Sep 21 It is a very touching movie that ties struggles, love, pain, and interpersonal care into a net of warmth and comfy. See more Austin J. @Mobile8 Sep 9 Loved it, my wife worked in a Juvy and this was great with her. Fun watch. See more Ben H @RT66522368 Aug 29 One of the best drama ever made! See more Read all reviews
Short Term 12

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Cast & Crew

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Destin Daniel Cretton

Director

Brie Larson

Grace

John Gallagher Jr.

Mason

Kaitlyn Dever

Jayden

Stephanie Beatriz

Jessica

Rami Malek

Nate

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Short Term 12

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Movie Info

Synopsis A supervisor (Brie Larson) at a group home for at-risk teens connects with a new resident (Kaitlyn Dever) while facing a personal crisis of her own.
Director
Destin Daniel Cretton
Producer
Asher Goldstein, Maren Olson, Joshua Astrachan, Ron Najor
Screenwriter
Destin Daniel Cretton
Distributor
Cinedigm
Production Co
Animal Kingdom, Traction Media
Rating
R (Language|Brief Sexuality)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 23, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 15, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.0M
Runtime
1h 36m