---
title: "Philomena"
year: 2013
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/philomena"
fi1m_score: 82
critics_score: 76
critics_reviews: 24
published: "2026-09-17T07:54:13.299346+00:00"
updated: "2026-09-17T07:54:13.674760+00:00"
region: "US"
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."
---

# Philomena (2013)

Directed by Stephen Frears · 1h 38m · MPA PG-13 · Drama

**Fi1m score: 82** · Critics 76 from 24 reviews

*In a sentence:* Judi Dench makes a man’s professional cynicism look like an exhausting hobby

> Judi Dench gives *Philomena* a warmth and intelligence that survive its heavy-handed opening jokes. Stephen Frears makes the search for a lost son moving without smoothing away the awkward questions about faith.

## Synopsis

Philomena (Judi Dench) wants to find the son she was forced to give up, and journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) reluctantly takes an interest in her story. Young Philomena (Sophie Kennedy Clark) appears in flashbacks that return to the separation. Her search involves the Church, whose actions Martin questions more readily than she does. Philomena remains religious, while Martin approaches their journey with a sceptic’s impatience. As they begin looking for answers together, she has to explain a loss she has lived with for years to a man who does not share her beliefs.

## Review

Stephen Frears makes *Philomena* into a warm, funny and often painful film about a mother looking for her son. We recommend it, with some patience for an opening that makes the differences between its travelling companions too obvious. Judi Dench plays Philomena; Steve Coogan is Martin Sixsmith, the journalist who initially has little appetite for her story. The search gives them a reason to keep talking, and those conversations gradually become more interesting than the simple contrast between faith and scepticism suggests.

Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope’s screenplay gets useful comedy from Martin’s impatience and Philomena’s willingness to take other people seriously. At first, though, it presses too hard: his cynicism and her innocence arrive as ready-made instructions about whom to like. The early laughter can have an uncomfortable edge, as though her lack of sophistication were something to be indulged. The writing improves when it lets her intelligence emerge through the conversation rather than arranging another lesson for him.

Judi Dench is the reason the film gets beyond those early jokes. She gives Philomena’s faith the weight of something she has lived with, without treating it as proof that she cannot understand what happened to her. We were moved by her continued belief in the Church, because the performance never suggests that she has forgotten the harm done to her. The hurt remains apparent even when she is being funny, and the restraint makes the search matter.

Steve Coogan helps by keeping Martin’s irritation recognisably human. He holds back while she talks, and makes the journalist’s occasional superiority look awkward rather than enviable. His impatience is funny without making him a man whose opinions can simply be dismissed. At their best, both actors remain worth watching while the other is talking, and the pauses are as enjoyable as the jokes.

Robbie Ryan’s cinematography keeps the emphasis on faces, an unobtrusive choice that suits a film whose strongest passages are conversations. Alan MacDonald’s production design similarly keeps the surroundings from competing with the people, although the journey could use a stronger sense of place. Valerio Bonelli’s editing is brisk enough to prevent the investigation from becoming a series of explanations. Alexandre Desplat’s score is less discreet, occasionally pressing for a response the actors have already earned. At 98 minutes, the film has room for pauses without seeming to linger over its own sensitivity.

A simpler version of this story would have Martin explain the Church to Philomena until she agreed with him. Stephen Frears has more respect for her than that. He allows her religious belief to matter in its own right, even when the film is angry about what has been done in religion’s name. The familiar odd-couple arrangement becomes useful here: their disagreements give both characters time to make sense to us, and humour does not settle the question. Watch it with someone whose views differ from your own, and leave some time to talk afterwards.

*Fi1m score 82, published 17 September 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics respond warmly to Philomena, with praise concentrated on Judi Dench’s quiet dignity and her comic rapport with Steve Coogan. The reviews credit Stephen Frears with balancing humour, sadness and anger at institutional cruelty, making a potentially sentimental story moving without letting it become simplistic. Many also find more complexity than expected in the film’s treatment of faith and forgiveness, with the central relationship giving those questions a human scale.

Reservations centre on forced early contrasts, caricature and storytelling that sometimes makes its points too plainly. The spread runs from enthusiastic approval to outright rejection, though even the harshest review praises the leads’ chemistry. Slant Magazine finds the treatment of Philomena’s naïveté patronising, while The Wrap objects to what it sees as smug condescension towards atheists: a sharper objection to the film’s moral stance than most critics share.

### Reviews we read (24)

- **The Independent**, Geoffrey MacNab (★★★★★): Stephen Frears's film is a funny, well-observed tearjerker featuring a wonderful performance from Judi Dench and a very good understated one from Steve Coogan. Frears gets the tone just right on this material that could easily have seemed schmaltzy, making it hard for even jaded audiences not to be moved. [Read](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/venice-film-festival-2013-philomena-judi-dench-and-steve-coogan-make-a-compelling-double-act-8793018.html)
- **Empire**, Damon Wise (90/100, inferred): The film is a terrific, sophisticated comedy that tackles serious issues with a lightness of touch and a spirit of steel. It filters the harrowing true story through an initially uninterested journalist, blending comedy and profound anger about Magdalene homes and adoption scandals while leaving audiences smiling. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/philomena-review/)
- **Evening Standard** (90/100, inferred): Steve Coogan has made his best serious film so far with this astutely directed odd-couple road-trip story. Judi Dench gives what could be her best-ever film work, conveying Philomena's simplicity and faith without sentimentality while the film balances jokes, anger and sadness effectively. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/philomena-film-review-8916915.html)
- **RogerEbert.com**, Susan Wloszczyna (90/100, inferred): The film confounds expectations as a multi-faceted odd-couple road trip and mystery rather than a simple sob story. Dench delivers a complex, dignified portrait of quiet strength and empathy that commands the proceedings. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/philomena-2013)
- **Screen Daily** (85/100, inferred): The review calls the Venice premiere a real delight that is funny, moving and beautifully performed, directed with restraint and a delicate touch. It highlights the strong work from Judi Dench and Steve Coogan and predicts audience and awards appeal. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/philomena/5059812.article)
- **Radio Times**, Stella Papamichael (4/5): The critic praises Judi Dench’s sparkling performance and the effective odd-couple dynamic with Steve Coogan that generates both comedy and tragedy. Stephen Frears is credited with bringing home the story’s emotional core, though the American journey could have had more sweep. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-sazpt7/philomena/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter** (80/100, inferred): Stephen Frears returns to top form in a touching, witty true story of a mother's search for closure after being forced to give up her son. The inspired pairing of Judi Dench and Steve Coogan anchors the heartwarming but never banal drama. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/philomena-venice-review-618825/)
- **Time Out**, Dave Calhoun (4/5): The review finds it a terrifically moving film with an earthbound feel, sharp wit and anger at institutional wrongs, anchored by strong turns from Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. It notes some early contrasts feel forced but praises the complicated truth of the central relationship and its take on religion. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/philomena)
- **The AV Club**, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky (B): The film is essentially about reconciling faith with an organized religion’s misdeeds, anchored by two well-rounded, funny lead performances from Dench and Coogan. It stumbles with heavy-handed flashbacks and a script better at handling the protagonist’s values than the nuns’ hypocrisy. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/philomena-comically-pairs-steve-coogan-and-judi-dench-1798178761)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Kenneth Turan (70/100, inferred): Dench elevates the unapologetic crowd-pleaser with instinctive dignity, making Philomena both average and extraordinary. The film gains confidence in its dramatic narrative despite an unsteady comedic start and some on-the-nose storytelling. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2013-nov-21-la-et-mn-philomena-20131122-story.html)
- **The Guardian**, Xan Brooks (70/100, inferred): The film succeeds as an odd-couple road trip thanks to the terrific chemistry between Steve Coogan and Judi Dench. It balances compassion and unpredictability without preaching. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/03/philomena-review-steve-coogan-judi-dench)
- **The New York Times**, Stephen Holden (70/100, inferred): Dench’s quietly moving performance as a faithful woman seeking her son provides a solid moral center amid the film’s blend of comedy, detective story, and critique of the church. The screenplay stabilizes a potentially mawkish tale into something sophisticated about faith and forgiveness. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/22/movies/philomena-starring-judi-dench-and-steve-coogan.html)
- **Variety** (70/100, inferred): The film is a smug but effective middlebrow crowdpleaser that wraps anti-clerical outrage in amusing banter and good taste, mining the material for laughs, anger, and tears. It is Frears’ most compulsively watchable picture since “The Queen,” with strong awards potential for Dench. [Read](https://variety.com/2013/film/global/philomena-review-venice-toronto-1200594214/)
- **Vulture**, David Edelstein (70/100, inferred): The movie is overcalculating and occasionally coarse, but it has a gentle spirit and avoids becoming an anti-Catholic harangue thanks to Frears’ tender touch. Judi Dench de-banalizes the over-tidy script with a soft, guileless performance that reveals the character’s stubborn romanticism. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2013/11/movie-review-philomena-judi-dench-steve-coogan.html)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (2/3/4): The critic calls it a big return-to-form for Frears, evolving from an odd-couple buddy comedy into a sophisticated exploration of faith, compassion and the consolations of religion. Praise goes to the delicate performances by Steve Coogan and Judi Dench, though the opening leans too heavily on caricature. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/philomena)
- **Slant Magazine**, Jesse Cataldo (50/100, inferred): The film is torn between the writers’ impulse to distance themselves from sentimentality and the director’s heavy-handed bathetic flourishes, resulting in a fractious movie. It handles questions of forgiveness and faith with reasonable proficiency but leans on Philomena’s naïveté in a patronizing way. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/philomena/)
- **Eye for Film**, David Graham (85/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's unexpected depth and richness beyond a typical crowd-pleaser, anchored by standout performances from Judi Dench and Steve Coogan under Stephen Frears' direction. They single out the efficient, brisk storytelling and emotional resonance that moves even the most cynical viewers. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/philomena-2013-film-review-by-david-graham)
- **Collider**, Adam Chitwood (B+): The film crafts a sweet, thoughtful story of guilt, redemption, and friendship buoyed by strong performances from Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. It is charming and sincere despite some predictable elements, marking one of Frears' best films in years. [Read](https://collider.com/philomena-review/)
- **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (4/5): The critic praises the moving true story and the charming performances of Steve Coogan and Judi Dench, highlighting their chemistry and the film's blend of humor and emotional depth in exploring themes of forgiveness and institutional cruelty. Minor stumbles noted but overall moving and unsettling. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/philomena-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Simon Reynolds (80/100, inferred): The critic describes it as a warm-hearted crowd-pleaser with strong performances from Dench and Coogan, blending comedy and serious issues about the Catholic Church, noting Frears' best film in years. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/bfi-london-film-festival/a519448/philomena-review-bfi-london-film-festival-2013/)
- **The Playlist**, The Playlist Staff (75/100, inferred): The critic calls it Oscar bait done right, a crowd-pleasing comedy-drama with strong performances that marks a return to form for Frears, while noting some minor flaws in supporting elements like the score. They highlight the film's deceptively complex take on its characters and themes. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/venice-review-stephen-frears-philomena-starring-judi-dench-steve-coogan-20130831/)
- **Paste**, Christine N. Ziemba (8.3): Dench and Coogan create a believable rapport as their characters grow through their shared experience. The steady direction by Frears and snappy dialogue keep the film grounded while raising questions about faith and family. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/philomena)
- **HeyUGuys**, Jo-Ann Titmarsh (3/5): The review commends the solid storytelling, strong cast including a perfectly cast Judi Dench, and the blend of humor with serious themes in a well-told true story. It notes the enthusiastic festival audience response to the film's heartfelt and entertaining qualities. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/philomena-review/)
- **The Wrap** (40/100, inferred): The critic faults the film for its smug condescension toward atheists and its insistence on portraying Philomena's forgiving worldview as superior to the journalist's cynicism. The standout element is the strong chemistry between Judi Dench and Steve Coogan as the odd-couple leads. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/philomena-review-dench-coogan-bring-much-needed-brimstone-cinematic-treacle/)

## Details

- **Director:** Stephen Frears
- **Director:** Stephen Frears
- **Screenplay:** Jeff Pope, Steve Coogan
- **Novel:** Martin Sixsmith
- **Cinematography:** Robbie Ryan
- **Editor:** Valerio Bonelli
- **Music:** Alexandre Desplat
- **Production design:** Alan MacDonald
- **Producer:** Tracey Seaward, Steve Coogan, Gabrielle Tana
- **Cast:** Judi Dench as Philomena; Steve Coogan as Martin Sixsmith; Sophie Kennedy Clark as Young Philomena; Mare Winningham as Mary Hess; Barbara Jefford as Sister Hildegarde; Ruth McCabe as Mother Barbara; Peter Hermann as Pete Olsson; Sean Mahon as Michael Hess
- **Runtime:** 1h 38m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13
- **Release (the US):** 27 November 2013
- **Genres:** Drama
- **Budget:** $12 million
- **Box office:** $100 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8WyFLsdtNw

## Where to watch in the US

- Tubi: free, hd, leaving 2026-10-01
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, hd
- Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $7.99, sd
- Apple TV: buy $7.99, sd

*Checked 2026-09-17.*

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

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2014: Best Actress (nominated); Best Original Score (nominated); Best Picture (nominated); Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (nominated)
- European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film 2014: European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Secrets & Lies* (1996), Fi1m 88: Another family search, with difficult questions given room by patient performances. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/secrets-and-lies.md)
- *The Magdalene Sisters* (2002): A harsher account of religious institutions demanding obedience from vulnerable young women.
- *Central Station* (1998), Fi1m 85: An uneasy travelling partnership makes room for grief, irritation and unexpected affection. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/central-station.md)
- *Ida* (2013), Fi1m 85: A quieter family investigation in which religious faith faces difficult personal history. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ida.md)
- *The Farewell* (2019), Fi1m 84: Family secrecy and gentle comedy coexist without making the underlying fear easier. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-farewell.md)

---
© 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/philomena