When You Finish Saving the World (film) explained

When You Finish Saving the World
Director:Jesse Eisenberg
Screenplay:Jesse Eisenberg
Cinematography:Benjamin Loeb
Editing:Sara Shaw
Music:Emile Mosseri
Distributor:A24
Runtime:88 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English
Gross:$196,920[1]

When You Finish Saving the World is a 2022 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg in his feature directorial debut. The film is based on Eisenberg's 2020 audio drama of the same name. Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard star as a mother and son who navigate their contentious relationship while trying to connect with other people. Jay O. Sanders, Alisha Boe, Billy Bryk, and Eleonore Hendricks also star. The film premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and was released by A24 in the United States on January 20, 2023, to generally positive reviews.[2]

Plot

Indiana loner 17-year-old Ziggy Katz is a high school student who performs original folk-rock songs for an adoring online fan base. This concept mystifies his formal and uptight mother, Evelyn, who runs a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse. Evelyn, feeling distant from her son, tries to convince him to come with her and volunteer at the shelter. He declines, choosing the profitable option of live-streaming.

Ziggy seeks to connect with his crush Lila, an activist classmate of his, and goes to a local political arts festival after school to get closer to her. There, she tells him he can use his platform for awareness of current issues and reads a poem about the colonization of the Marshall Islands, which he compliments and borrows from her. Simultaneously, Evelyn meets Kyle, a 17-year-old who's staying with his mother at the shelter after he called the police to help get her out of an abusive home. Evelyn is impressed by his kindness and offers him to volunteer and get him a scholarship for Oberlin College in Ohio, with Kyle having reluctance over going to college in favor of working at his father's auto shop. That night, Ziggy's father, Roger, confronts the two for missing his awards ceremony at work, calling them both narcissists.

The next morning, Ziggy asks his mother to give him a ride to school, and inquires her on how he can learn to "be political" to impress Lila, and she scoffs, saying he doesn't really care about the causes. Evelyn later takes Kyle to volunteer jobs around the city, and the two become close with Evelyn growing increasingly motherly around him. Meanwhile, Ziggy and Evelyn's tensions continue to erupt.

Ziggy sets Lila's poem to song, and plays it for her one afternoon. That night, after Ziggy refuses to eat dinner in order to live stream, Evelyn secretly takes his uneaten dinner to give to Kyle at the shelter, who declines it as he already had supper earlier.

The next morning Kyle's mother confronts Evelyn, telling her to stop pressuring Kyle to go to Oberlin College as he is set to working at his dad's auto shop. Baffled, Evelyn calls for Kyle while he's in school, who confirms his stance. Around the same time, Ziggy shares to Lila that he played the song on his stream, bragging that he brought attention to the issue while still making profit, much to Lila's discontent. That afternoon, Ziggy visits the shelter while his mom watches his old videos, before noticing him nearby and meeting face-to-face.

Cast

Production

On April 9, 2020, Jesse Eisenberg, Finn Wolfhard, and Kaitlyn Dever were cast in the Audible Original When You Finish Saving the World, written by Eisenberg.[4] The story was told from the perspective of three family members, at different stages of their lives, with the audio drama released on August 4, 2020.[5]

Additionally, the audiobook was planned to be adapted into a comedy-drama movie, When You Finish Saving the World, with Julianne Moore and Wolfhard set to star as mother and son, directed and written by Eisenberg with Moore, Emma Stone and Dave McCary producing under their Fruit Tree production banner.[6] The film adaptation was to take place in the present day and focus on the mother and son relationship, while keeping other details the same, such as Ziggy's mother running a shelter for victims of domestic violence, which she does in the audio version as well.[7]

In August 2020, it was announced that A24 was set to finance, produce and distribute the film.[8] [9] It marks Eisenberg's feature film directorial debut.[10] [11] Moore and Wolfhard were confirmed as cast as mother and son, respectively, in April 2020. Billy Bryk, in December 2020, and Alisha Boe, in January 2021, joined the cast in undisclosed roles.[12] [13] In November 2020, pre-production took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while production began in January 2021,[14] followed by principal photography in February 2021.[15] Filming concluded in March 2021.[16]

Music

See main article: When You Finish Saving the World (soundtrack).

Release

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2022.[17] Its first trailer was released on November 29, 2022.[18] The film was released in limited theaters and on VOD in the United States on January 20, 2023. The film had its streaming debut on Netflix in the US on March 28, 2024.

Reception

Anthony Lane of The New Yorker wrote "Twitching with the same unease that characterizes his performances, Eisenberg’s directorial début is taut with unhappiness but allows itself to be funny."[19] Stephanie Zacharek of Time wrote "Eisenberg is a thoughtful filmmaker, devoted to showing his characters as multi-dimensional, flawed human beings. This is a modest film, but not a superficial one."[20] Amy Nicholson of Variety wrote "Eisenberg has made a satire that exists in shades of beige".[21] Ross Bonaime of Collider wrote "When You Finish Saving the World is often acidic to a point that might scare away some, but at its core, Eisenberg’s film is an endearing story of mother and son who were once so close, and now struggle to get what they need from each other anymore."[22] Will Sayre of MovieWeb wrote "It's certainly not aiming to be a Hollywood blockbuster, but rather a passion project for Eisenberg that reveals promise from behind the camera".[23] David Ehrlich of IndieWire wrote "Eisenberg's first movie behind the camera splits the difference between Noah Baumbach and Miranda July in a way that still allows his own voice to break through."[24]

In contrast, Benjamin Lee of The Guardian wrote, "As a first-time director, Eisenberg is at least refreshingly restrained and gimmick-avoidant (this does not look like an A24-funded debut movie), but as a writer with some experience, albeit on stage and on the page, it feels a little anemic."[25] Robert Adele of Los Angeles Times wrote "As a micro case study about some acutely flawed 21st century strivers, When You Finish Saving the World has its well-turned moments, but when you want it to be gloriously messy about families and human interactions, it stays resolutely in lab mode."[26] Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times summarized "Eisenberg has already proven himself a smart wordsmith and a knowing performer of emotional unease, but this World is a disappointingly shallow tale of narcissism and negligence."[27] Steve Pond of TheWrap reviewed "In its original, radio-drama form, the story played out over five hours and was much more expansive; trimmed down to less than 90 minutes on film, it feels like a short story, compact and uncomfortable and ultimately satisfying."[28] Rachel Labonte of Screen Rant wrote "The film is the strongest when Eisenberg plucks on the threads that bind the two together; it just doesn't do so enough. When You Finish Saving the World has parts missing, and as a result, falls short of the greatness it could've achieved."[29]

Notes and References

  1. 12121582. When You Finish Saving the World (2022). January 27, 2023.
  2. Web site: 'When You Finish Saving The World' Trailer, Release Date: Jesse Eisenberg's Directorial Debut For A24 Starring Julianne Moore & Finn Wolfhard. Matt. Grobar. Deadline Hollywood. November 29, 2022. November 30, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129164055/https://deadline.com/video/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-trailer-a24-release-date/. live.
  3. Web site: Press Notes . January 23, 2023 . . January 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123210710/https://cdn.sanity.io/files/xq1bjtf4/production/d73b17177f862b1a6f8548599bc79a565008641f.pdf?dl=Press%20Notes.pdf . live .
  4. Web site: Jesse Eisenberg to be Joined by Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard in New Audible Release. Playbill. April 9, 2020. April 17, 2020. April 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200413000902/https://www.playbill.com/article/jesse-eisenberg-to-be-joined-by-stranger-things-finn-wolfhard-in-new-audible-release. live.
  5. News: Egan . Elisabeth . August 2, 2020 . It's a Book. It's a Podcast. It's a Three-Act Play, in Your Ears. . . January 12, 2022 . August 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200808074527/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/02/books/jesse-eisenberg-when-you-finish-saving-the-world-audio.html . live .
  6. Web site: Hot Project Du Jour: Julianne Moore & Finn Wolfhard To Star In Jesse Eisenberg-Directed 'When You Finish Saving The World' Based On Audible Original; Emma Stone Producing. Deadline Hollywood. April 9, 2020. April 17, 2020. April 10, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200410182508/https://deadline.com/2020/04/julianne-moore-finn-wolfhard-star-jesse-eisenberg-comedy-when-you-finish-saving-world-with-emma-stone-producing-1202903425/. live.
  7. Web site: It's a Book. It's a Podcast. It's a Three-Act Play, in Your Ears.. The New York Times. August 2, 2020. August 8, 2020. August 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200808074527/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/02/books/jesse-eisenberg-when-you-finish-saving-the-world-audio.html. live.
  8. Web site: Emma Stone & Dave McCary Plant Fruit Tree Production Banner With A24 First-Look TV Deal. Deadline Hollywood. August 5, 2020. October 28, 2020. August 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200805215448/https://deadline.com/2020/08/emma-stone-dave-mccary-plant-fruit-tree-production-banner-with-a24-first-look-tv-deal-1203005063/. live.
  9. Web site: A24's Ali Herting Joins Emma Stone & Dave McCary's Fruit Tree As Producer. Deadline Hollywood. October 22, 2020. November 26, 2020. October 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201023000224/https://deadline.com/2020/10/ali-herting-joins-emma-stone-dave-mccary-fruit-tree-producer-a24-1234602138/. live.
  10. Web site: 2020-11-18. Jesse Eisenberg is in New Mexico prepping for film, advocating for victims. 2020-11-25. KRQE News 13 Albuquerque - Santa Fe. en-US. November 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201119023816/https://www.krqe.com/news/albuquerque-metro/jesse-eisenberg-is-in-new-mexico-prepping-for-film-advocating-for-victims/. live.
  11. Web site: 2020-04-11. Jesse Eisenberg to Direct His First Feature, 'When You Finish Saving the World'. 2020-11-25. Jewish Journal. en-US. April 11, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200411190523/https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/314019/jesse-eisenberg-direct-first-feature-when-you-finish-saving-the-world/. live.
  12. Web site: '13 Reasons Why' Star Alisha Boe Joins Julianne Moore & Finn Wolfhard In A24 Movie 'When You Finish Saving The World' . December 7, 2020 . February 5, 2021 . January 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230120162457/https://deadline.com/2020/12/finn-wolfhard-julianne-moore-when-you-finish-saving-the-world-adds-billy-bryk-emma-stone-1234651322/ . live .
  13. Web site: Julianne Moore-Finn Wolfhard Pic 'When You Finish Saving The World' Adds 'Wynonna Earp' Actor Billy Bryk' . January 19, 2021 . January 19, 2021 . January 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119163614/https://deadline.com/2021/01/13-reasons-why-alisha-boe-julianne-moore-finn-wolfhard-a24-movie-when-finish-saving-world-1234676118/ . live .
  14. Web site: 2020-11-18. 'Variety Streaming Room Hosts Panel With Audible's 'When You Finish Saving the World' Stars Jesse Eisenberg, Finn Wolfhard and Rachel Ghiazza. 2021-02-05. Variety. en-US. January 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121174139/https://variety.com/2021/biz/news/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-finn-wolfhard-streaming-room-1234889497/. live.
  15. Web site: 2020-11-18. 'When You Finish Saving the World' Team Said It Relished Creativity in Audio Medium. 2021-02-05. Variety. en-US. January 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210129232901/https://variety.com/video/jesse-eisenberg-finn-wolfhard-audible-when-you-finish-saving-the-world-variety-streaming-room/. live.
  16. Web site: That's a wrap on When You Finish Saving the World!. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CMX3NiolgkZ . 2021-12-26 . registration. Instagram.com. Charee. Savedra. March 13, 2021. March 23, 2021.
  17. Web site: First 'When You Finish Saving the World' Image Shows Finn Wolfhard and Julianne Moore in Jesse Eisenberg's Directorial Debut . 9 December 2021 . . 9 December 2021.
  18. Web site: Zilko . Christian . 2022-11-29 . 'When You Finish Saving the World' Trailer: Julianne Moore Leads Jesse Eisenberg's Directorial Debut . 2022-11-29 . . en . November 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221129145342/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/11/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-trailer-jesse-eisenberg-1234786003/ . live .
  19. News: Lane . Anthony . 2023-01-20 . “When You Finish Saving the World” Is Very Jesse Eisenberg . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230209140958/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/30/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-is-very-jesse-eisenberg . 2023-02-09 . 2024-06-03 . The New Yorker . en-US . 0028-792X.
  20. Web site: Zacharek . Stephanie . 2023-01-20 . Jesse Eisenberg Proves Himself a Thoughtful Filmmaker in 'When You Finish Saving the World' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230202104806/https://time.com/6247905/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-review/ . 2023-02-02 . 2024-06-03 . Time . en.
  21. Web site: Nicholson . Amy . 2022-01-21 . ‘When You Finish Saving the World’ Review: Jesse Eisenberg’s War of the Woke . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220214203303/https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-review-jesse-eisenberg-1235157093/ . 2022-02-14 . 2024-06-03 . Variety . en-US.
  22. Web site: Bonaime . Ross . 2022-01-21 . ‘When You Finish Saving the World’ Review: Jesse Eisenberg’s Directorial Debut Has Family Struggling to Find Each Other . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220416172050/https://collider.com/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-review-jesse-eisenberg/ . 2022-04-16 . 2024-06-03 . Collider . en.
  23. Web site: Sayre . Will . 2023-01-13 . When You Finish Saving the World Review: Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard Succeed as Mother and Son . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330131222/https://movieweb.com/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-review/ . 2023-03-30 . 2024-06-03 . MovieWeb . en.
  24. Web site: Ehrlich . David . 2022-01-21 . ‘When You Finish Saving the World’ Review: Dueling Narcissists Battle in Jesse Eisenberg’s Terrific Debut . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230930212007/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-movie-review-jesse-eisenberg-1234692020/ . 2023-09-30 . 2024-06-03 . IndieWire . en-US.
  25. News: Lee . Benjamin . 2022-01-21 . When You Finish Saving the World review – Jesse Eisenberg’s patchy directorial debut . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220131155844/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jan/21/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-review-jesse-eisenbergs-patchy-directorial-debut . 2022-01-31 . 2024-06-03 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  26. Web site: Abele . Robert . 2023-01-20 . Review: There's no saving Jesse Eisenberg 'When You Finish Saving the World' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311213337/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-01-19/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-review-jesse-eisenberg . 2023-03-11 . 2024-06-03 . Los Angeles Times . en-US.
  27. News: Catsoulis . Jeannette . 2023-01-19 . ‘When You Finish Saving the World’ Review: Mother and Son Disunion . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218143151/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/19/movies/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-review.html . 2023-02-18 . 2024-06-03 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  28. Web site: Pond . Steve . 2023-01-19 . 'When You Finish Saving the World' Film Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120223652/https://www.thewrap.com/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-review-jesse-eisenberg/ . 2024-01-20 . 2024-06-03 . TheWrap . en-US.
  29. Web site: Labonte . Rachel . 2023-01-18 . When You Finish Saving The World Review: Maddening & Promising All At Once . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230120174357/https://screenrant.com/when-you-finish-saving-the-world-2023-movie-reviews/ . 2023-01-20 . 2024-06-03 . ScreenRant . en.