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What Maisie Knew

What Maisie Knew

Drama · 2013

In New York City, six-year-old Maisie is caught in the middle of a bitter custody battle between her self-absorbed parents—an aging rock singer mother and a distracted art dealer father. As both quickly marry new partners to strengthen their legal standing, Maisie is shuttled back and forth in an endless game of emotional point-scoring. Yet amid the chaos and upheaval, Maisie begins to find true comfort and affection in her new step-parents.

Movie details

What Maisie Knew

“Hold on with all your heart.”

2013 Drama 1h 39m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

In New York City, six-year-old Maisie is caught in the middle of a bitter custody battle between her self-absorbed parents—an aging rock singer mother and a distracted art dealer father. As both quickly marry new partners to strengthen their legal standing, Maisie is shuttled back and forth in an endless game of emotional point-scoring. Yet amid the chaos and upheaval, Maisie begins to find true comfort and affection in her new step-parents.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over What Maisie Knew?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

David Siegel · Scott McGehee

Written by

Carroll Cartwright · Nancy Doyne

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore

Susanna

Steve Coogan

Steve Coogan

Beale

Alexander Skarsgård

Alexander Skarsgård

Lincoln

Joanna Vanderham

Joanna Vanderham

Margo

Onata Aprile

Onata Aprile

Maisie

Diana García

Diana García

Cecilia

S

Sadie Rae

Zoe

Court is in session

Put What Maisie Knew on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.