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Something to watch tonight: Thursday 8 May

By May 8, 2025February 20th, 2026No Comments

Tully (Reitman, 2018)

Charlize Theron in Jason Reitman's 2018 film Tully.

Sunday is Mothers’ Day in New Zealand.

A couple of years ago, RNZ asked me to put together a list of ten films about mothers for the website and I was glad to be able to feature Tully on that list.

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At the beginning of Tully, Charlize Theron as Marlo is heavily pregnant with her third child and just about at the end of her tether. The arrival of the bairn makes things even worse until the arrival of a “Night Nanny” on the recommendation of the family’s richer friends. This one is Tully (Mackenzie Davis) and she is the Mary Poppins of night nannying. There is no situation so fraught that she can’t turn around.

But there’s also something a little off about Tully. She’s too perfect. The resolution is one that I didn’t see coming but is also kind of perfect in hindsight. Not given its due by most critics first time around, I reviewed it for At the Movies and you can listen back here.

This song by Beulahbelle features on the soundtrack and may or may not be a clue to what unfolds.


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Where to watch Tully

Aotearoa: Streaming on Netflix

Australia: Streaming on Netflix or Stan

Canada: Digital rental

UK & Ireland: Digital rental

India: Not currently available online

USA: Streaming on Netflix (leaving soon)

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