Short Term 12

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Short Term 12

R,

2013,

1h 36m,

Drama

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Watchlist

98%

175 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

175 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.

Critics Consensus

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

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Dec 10, 2013

3/5

Brie Larson is very impressive as the caring, funny supervisor whose own demons threaten to engulf her.

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

Dec 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.

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Liam Lacey

Globe and Mail

Nov 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.

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Cory Woodroof

For the Win at USA Today

Jul 29, 2026

The film has the power to strike your spine with the icy voltage of Boreas and simultaneously melt your heart down like it's fallen into Mount Doom.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Jul 28, 2026

[Director] Cretton and his cast maintain an honesty about the difficulties they face and the sense of impermanence of this facility while providing a story of perseverance and healing.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 5, 2025

3.5/4

Cretton doesn’t shy away from showing the results of the brutalities life has hurled at these poor kids.

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Kylo R

Apr 18, 2019

Nothing but a beautiful love letter to all audiences about the struggles and conditions of the neglected youths.

Mar 4, 2019

Brie larson was a bad pick for this movie.

Kylo L

Mar 3, 2019

The scene in which Larson praises "the achievements of Hitler" is repulsive.

Mar 2, 2019

I found this movie very dull, like fall asleep in the theater boring. The story could of been ok but Brie Larson (who is Grace in the movie) is very poorly acted. Better casting choices may of saved this.

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Hermione S

Oct 5, 2018

Short Term 12 tactfully explores the lives of at-risk teens after they have "survived."

Poe R

Sep 20, 2018

A balanced drama between the heaviness and lighter tone showcases Brie Larson's emotional motherly strength as the film's centered heart who understands then inspires and encourages others to not be insecurely strained from hopeful healing. (A-) (Full review TBD)

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Destin Daniel Cretton

Director

Brie Larson

Grace

John Gallagher Jr.

Mason

Kaitlyn Dever

Jayden

Stephanie Beatriz

Jessica

Rami Malek

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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

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