---
title: "Juno"
year: 2007
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/juno"
fi1m_id: "juno"
imdb_id: "tt0467406"
tmdb_id: 7326
wikidata_id: "Q79503"
fi1m_score: 81
critics_score: 79
critics_reviews: 15
published: "2026-09-15"
updated: "2026-09-18T08:38:30.504501+00:00"
region: "AE"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Juno (2007)

Directed by Jason Reitman · 1h 36m · Comedy, Drama, Romance

## Identity

Juno

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/juno
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** juno
- **IMDb ID:** tt0467406
- **TMDB ID:** 7326
- **Wikidata ID:** Q79503
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/7326, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79503

**Fi1m score: 81** · Critics 79 from 15 reviews

*In a sentence:* Pregnancy is complicated enough without having to be the funniest person in every conversation

> Elliot Page makes *Juno* funny and unexpectedly affecting, even when Diablo Cody’s dialogue seems determined to prove its cleverness. Jason Reitman gives the actors enough room to make the pregnancy comedy feel personal.

## Synopsis

Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) is a teenager whose pregnancy brings questions about growing up into her daily life. She has plenty to say, but her quick replies do not settle what she wants from the people around her. Michael Cera plays Paulie Bleeker, with Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman as Vanessa and Mark Loring, and J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney as Mac and Bren MacGuff. As Juno navigates pregnancy and her relationships, the film follows how she judges other people, how they judge her, and how much any of them understands about being an adult.

## Review

At first, *Juno* seems prepared to make cleverness compulsory. Diablo Cody gives its pregnant teenage heroine a ready supply of quips, and Jason Reitman makes sure we hear them. We recommend it warmly, despite some dialogue that sounds too pleased with itself, because Elliot Page lets us see how much of Juno’s confidence is put on. The film understands the awkward business of sounding grown-up before knowing quite what growing up involves.

Page plays Juno MacGuff as someone who likes being difficult to impress, and who can use a joke to keep another person at a safe distance. That makes the performance funny, but it also gives the quieter moments something to work against. We were moved when Page let the uncertainty show beneath the quick replies; suddenly we were conscious of how young Juno was. The change works because Page does not ask for our sympathy every time the confidence falters.

Michael Cera’s Paulie Bleeker gives Page a useful contrast: his hesitation makes Juno’s verbal confidence feel less like the only possible way to be young. Jennifer Garner, as Vanessa Loring, brings a seriousness that the comedy needs. Jason Bateman’s Mark Loring has an easier manner, and the difference between the two performances is worth watching. J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney, as Mac and Bren MacGuff, help keep the surrounding adults from becoming a collection of obstacles. Reitman gives these supporting performances weight without losing sight of Juno.

Cody’s weakness is her reluctance to let an ordinary sentence pass unadorned. Some exchanges sound written to be repeated afterwards, and there are moments when we become more aware of the writer enjoying a phrase than of the person speaking it. This is especially noticeable early on, before we have much reason to care about the people delivering the lines. These are irritations rather than reasons to give up on the characters, though the opening tests our patience.

Eric Steelberg’s cinematography keeps our attention on the actors, which is where this film earns it. Steve Saklad’s production design is similarly attentive to personality; the surroundings feel chosen for these people, rather than borrowed from a generic teenage comedy. Dana E. Glauberman’s editing keeps the brisk exchanges moving, then allows the more hesitant reactions to count. Mateo Messina’s music fits the film’s warmth without making the vulnerable moments feel like a demand for tears.

Where Reitman succeeds is in taking the feelings seriously without treating Juno as someone who needs to be punished. We tend to expect a teenage comedy to put all the foolishness on one side of the age divide. Cody notices how people use wit to gain an advantage in a conversation, and how quickly that advantage can disappear. The relationships become more absorbing because the film lets us change our minds about people instead of telling us whom to approve of.

For all our irritation with the more laboured lines, we liked spending time with these people. The warmth comes from allowing them to be awkward, funny and occasionally wrong, with Page keeping Juno recognisably young through it all. Give it time to get past its eagerness to impress.

*Fi1m score 81, published 15 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to Juno, with praise centred on Diablo Cody’s sharp dialogue and Page’s lead performance, which balances the teenager’s composure with vulnerability. The reviews repeatedly find emotional depth beneath the quips, crediting the cast with making the relationships persuasive and the handling of teen pregnancy funny without becoming cruel or preachy. For many, the film’s strength is how readily its characters become more affecting as their circumstances grow complicated.

The reservations cluster around the same qualities others enjoy: the elaborate dialogue, calculated quirkiness and occasional preciousness. The spread is wide but largely positive, with even sceptical reviews praising Page. Time Out finds the treatment of social issues contrived and self-conscious, while Digital Spy sees the quirks and contrivances as substantial weaknesses despite the lead performance. More favourable reviews acknowledge those affectations but find enough sincerity and tenderness to forgive them.

## Straight answers

**Is Juno worth watching?**

*Juno* is worth watching for anyone who can put up with a teenage comedy that tries a little too hard to be clever at the start, and we scored it 81. Elliot Page makes Juno's confidence look put on, and the quieter moments land because of it. Give the opening ten minutes some patience; the people are worth the wait.

**How long is Juno, and what is it rated?**

*Juno* runs 1h 36m. It is a comedy and drama film.

**Where can I watch Juno in the UAE?**

*Juno* is not on any streaming or rental service in the UAE at the moment. It is available in 29 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is Juno, and is it suitable for children?**

*Juno* is a 12A comedy about a pregnant teenager, with no violence and nothing frightening in it. The adult content is the subject itself and the frank, fast dialogue around it, which suits teenagers and older children well enough but may prompt questions from younger ones. The squeamish have nothing to fear here.

**How does Juno compare to Ghost World?**

*Juno* is the warmer and funnier of the two, while [*Ghost World*](https://film.one/film/ghost-world) is the sadder and slower. Both follow a sharp-tongued teenage outsider, but Reitman lets his characters be wrong and likeable at once, where Zwigoff lets the loneliness hurt and takes his time about it. Choose *Juno* for a comedy that ends up kind; choose *Ghost World* if you want the discontent taken seriously and are not in a hurry.

### Reviews we read (20)

- **Slant Magazine** (3.5/4): The review calls the film a welcome alternative to typical teen comedies, praising its earned poignancy, subversion of expectations around family and adulthood, and Page's spiky yet heartfelt performance. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/juno/)
- **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (85/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's irresistible charm, wit, and smart dialogue, highlighting Ellen Page's lovely performance as the hyper-articulate teen protagonist. The review singles out the script's shrewd treatment of status and power dynamics for particular praise. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/feb/08/comedy.drama)
- **Total Film** (85/100, inferred): The review celebrates Diablo Cody’s distinctive, hyper-quotable voice and Ellen Page’s standout, career-making performance as the whip-smart teen, noting the film’s emotional texture and heartfelt core beneath its cynical surface. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/juno-review/)
- **IndieWire**, Michael Koresky (B+): The review finds the film an appealing mix of irreverence and genuine emotion, crediting the script's colorful dialogue and strong performances for its appeal despite occasional preciousness. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-attitude-adjustment-jason-reitmans-juno-73405/)
- **The AV Club**, Scott Tobias (B+): The critic notes the film's calculated quirkiness but praises its underlying sincerity, strong writing, and Page's nuanced lead performance that balances snark with vulnerability. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/juno-1798203510)
- **Empire**, Andrew Male (80/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a sharp-edged yet warm-hearted coming-of-age story that is smarter than it first appears, praising its perfectly judged structure, emotional depth beneath the quips, and strong performances that avoid cruelty. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/juno-review/)
- **Screen Daily** (80/100, inferred): Juno's quirky protagonist and sharp, memorable dialogue make it appealing to younger audiences, with strong ensemble work and direction that keeps the tone light and funny. The script's witty observations and Page's performance stand out as highlights. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/juno/4034529.article)
- **The Times**, Cosmo Landesman (80/100, inferred): The critic calls it a small, quirky teenage comedy that charmed the world and earned Oscar nominations, praising Ellen Page's perfect physical and emotional fit for the role. It singles out the film's serious, acutely observed study of relationships and the witty script for praise. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/juno-the-sunday-times-review-9kpckvjtpsl)
- **The Telegraph** (70/100, inferred): The review describes Juno as a modern nativity story with energetic comic elements from the start, noting the strong performances especially from Ellen Page and Jennifer Garner. It singles out the shift to moody fragility and the cast's excellence for praise, while critiquing its quirky affectations and sentimental ending. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3671011/Film-reviews-There-Will-Be-Blood-and-Juno.html)
- **Time Out**, Wally Hammond (60/100, inferred): The film attempts to inject wit into the teen coming-of-age comedy but feels contrived and self-conscious in its handling of social issues. Performances, especially from Ellen Page and supporting cast, provide some compensation despite conventional direction. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/juno-2007)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Carina Chocano: The movie is hilarious and sweet-tempered, perceptive and surprisingly grounded, deepening into something poignant and unexpected through its central relationships. It stands out for treating teen pregnancy without the usual humiliation or moralizing. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-dec-05-et-juno5-story.html)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Roger Ebert: The film is very smart, very funny and very touching, beginning with the pacing of a screwball comedy and ending as a portrait of characters the audience comes to love. Ellen Page delivers an extraordinary performance as the title character. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/juno-2007)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Kirk Honeycutt: The critic praises the witty, original dialogue and complex characters that avoid sentimentality or preachiness. Ellen Page's lead performance is highlighted as a breakout. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/juno-159515/)
- **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (NYT Critic’s Pick): The film avoids hand-wringing melodrama and instead offers a sardonic, funny take on teen pregnancy that evolves into surprising emotional depth. Ellen Page gives a poised, talented performance that helps the movie outgrow its mannerisms. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/movies/05juno.html)
- **Den of Geek**, Matt Edwards (5/5): The critic praises the film's quirky yet believable characters, excellent cast especially Ellen Page, Diablo Cody's funny script, and Jason Reitman's direction that keeps the humanity intact. It calls it a refreshing, genuinely funny comedy that handles serious issues without being flippant. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/juno-review-2/)
- **/Film**, Peter Sciretta (9/10): The critic hails Juno as the best film of the Toronto festival and the year so far, praising its mass appeal, snappy dialogue, soundtrack, set design and Ellen Page’s versatile lead performance. Jason Reitman is noted as a director to watch. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/497059/tiff-movie-review-juno/)
- **Eye for Film**, Paul Griffiths (85/100, inferred): The critic finds the initial indie affectations off-putting but quickly warms to the film, calling it a cracking little story driven by a spicy screenplay and strong performances. Diablo Cody’s script and the cast, led by Elliot Page, earn particular praise for their charm, intelligence and avoidance of clichés. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/juno-film-review-by-paul-griffiths)
- **The Skinny**, Laura Smith (4/5): Praises the originality, deadpan eloquence, snarky-smart script by Diablo Cody, and Ellen Page's performance balancing composure and vulnerability. Notes it can feel self-consciously cutesy but Reitman's timing keeps it on track; compares favorably to other pregnancy comedies. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/juno)
- **Digital Spy**, Ben Rawson-Jones (40/100, inferred): The review finds it underwhelming and failing to live up to hype due to self-conscious quirks and contrived elements, but singles out Ellen Page's marvellous, multi-dimensional performance as the main strength, along with some witty dialogue and non-intrusive direction. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a88623/juno/)
- **The Playlist**, Rodrigo Perez (B+/A-): The critic describes the film as snarky, quirky and sharp-tongued with a lovable heart that ultimately wins out over its occasional overwritten dialogue and preciousness. Ellen Page’s charming performance and the tender moments are singled out as highlights. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/clever-wisecracking-juno-winner-20071210/)

## Details

- **Director:** Jason Reitman
- **Director:** Jason Reitman
- **Writer:** Diablo Cody
- **Cinematography:** Eric Steelberg
- **Editor:** Dana E. Glauberman
- **Music:** Mateo Messina
- **Production design:** Steve Saklad
- **Costume design:** Monique Prudhomme
- **Producer:** John Malkovich, Russell Smith, Lianne Halfon
- **Cast:** Elliot Page as Juno MacGuff; Michael Cera as Paulie Bleeker; Jennifer Garner as Vanessa Loring; Jason Bateman as Mark Loring; J.K. Simmons as Mac MacGuff; Allison Janney as Bren MacGuff; Olivia Thirlby as Leah; Eileen Pedde as Gerta Rauss
- **Runtime:** 1h 36m
- **Release (the UAE):** 9 June 2008
- **Genres:** Comedy, Drama, Romance
- **Also in:** [Best Picture winners](https://film.one/collections/oscar-best-picture.md) (Nominee, 2007); [Golden Globe Best Musical or Comedy winners](https://film.one/collections/golden-globe-comedy.md) (Nominee, 2007)
- **Budget:** $8 million
- **Box office:** $232 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miy1fE-8Z0U

## Where to watch in the UAE

Not streaming, renting or buying in the UAE at the last check.

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BE, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GR, IE, IN, IT, JP, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PL, PT, SE, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2008: Best Actress (nominated); Best Director (nominated); Best Picture (nominated); Best Writing, Original Screenplay (won)

## If you liked this

- *Ghost World* (2001), Fi1m 84: Another sharp-tongued outsider discovers that being unimpressed does not make adulthood easier. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ghost-world.md)
- *Gregory's Girl* (1981): Awkward teenage desire, handled with affection and little interest in making anyone glamorous.
- *The Way He Looks* (2014): A gentler coming-of-age romance that takes teenage uncertainty and independence seriously.
- *A Taste of Honey* (1961): Teenage pregnancy without the comic cushioning, and another young woman worth listening to.
- *Tomboy* (2011): A child’s experiments with identity receive close attention without a lecture attached.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/juno