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Cyrus

Cyrus

John met the woman of his dreams. Then he met her son...

201091 minRMidcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films
Directors
Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass
Starring
John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei, Catherine Keener

With John's social life at a standstill and his ex-wife about to get remarried, a down on his luck divorcée finally meets the woman of his dreams, only to discover she has another man in her life - her son. Before long, the two are locked in a battle of wits for the woman they both love-and it appears only one man can be left standing when it's over.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Cyrus?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Cyrus to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Cyrus?

Cyrus earns 5 badges, led by Standout acting and Preferred by Men.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Cyrus worth watching?

Cyrus' Midcredits score is the 52nd percentile of all films, from 62K ratings across 6 sources. 47% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

52nd percentile

Better received than 52% of films

59th percentile among Comedy52nd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)55th
Approval (how many liked it)48th

63 /100

55th percentile of all films

63rd percentile among Comedy55th percentile among 2010s

Critics 74 · Audience 62

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.2 — solid but not unanimous.

47% liked it

48th percentile of all films

54th percentile among Comedy47th percentile among 2010s
47% rated it 7–1053% rated it 1–6

Critics 80% · Audience 53%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 6 noms overall

92nd percentile

62K ratings across platforms

92nd percentile among Comedy93rd percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 77% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$7M
Opening weekend$182K
Domestic gross$7.5M
Worldwide gross$9.9M

Returned 1.4× its budget — 73rd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is more drama than comedy and centers on an Oedipal mother-son bond.

Fans praised

  • subtle passive-aggressive one-upmanship
  • realistic, naturalistic dialogue
  • strong ensemble acting from Reilly, Tomei, Hill

Detractors panned

  • slow, dull, unfunny
  • implausible premise and relationships
  • wasted potential, lack of real conflict

What stands out

ActingDivisive85

strong performances, esp. Hill and Reilly, with naturalistic chemistry

DialogueDivisive80

realistic, conversational, with witty lines

CharactersDivisive75

well-realized but says underdeveloped ex-wife and Molly

OriginalityDivisive70

unusual take on comedy-drama, but formulaic in parts

Emotional impactDivisive65

compelling emotional moments, but not universally moving

HumorDivisive55

more subtle, dry humor; some expected a comedy

Plot and storyDivisive50

simple story, but some say it meanders or lacks a payoff

Pacing45

slow burn with some felt it never really gets going

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 21 points higher than women.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 4 points apart
  • Critics vs users 9 points apart
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Cyrus like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Easy laugh: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something that makes you laugh.

It is gentle, takes its time and leaves you bittersweet. Skip it when you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Patience.

What it feels like

Easy laugh.

Moods
CatharticAbsurd
Heaviest: middle
Cringe humor
Register
Wry · 7% of films: Amused and slightly dry about it.Tender · 13% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its awkward family dynamics and romantic tension straight, with a dryly humorous edge and moments of genuine emotion.
The rideThe film's tension likely peaks in the middle as John confronts Cyrus's resistance, mixing awkward comedy with genuine emotional release.
StructureThe story moves linearly from John's low point, through his meeting Molly and escalating conflict with Cyrus, to a resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Bittersweet.

BittersweetUnsettling
Why it leaves you this wayThe film lingers as a bittersweet and uneasy look at codependency and new beginnings.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rebirth
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13% (this title): Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2% (this title)
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Second chance: A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).

13% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story follows a lonely divorcé who finds love but must navigate the possessive codependency of his new partner's adult son, ultimately earning a second chance at connection.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% (this title) · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsRomantic love · 15% of films
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe story examines how a new romantic relationship must negotiate existing family bonds, particularly the intense mother-son tie between Molly and Cyrus.
StanceThe film questions how a new romantic bond can coexist with a powerful parent-child bond, without celebrating or condemning either side.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernFolkSupportive music · original score · Michael Andrews
Settinga middle-class suburban home and social circle
MusicMichael Andrews' score is likely understated and folk-tinged, matching the film's intimate, offbeat tone.

Content guide

Is Cyrus okay for kids?

R

Cyrus is rated R: “Rated R for language and some sexual material” (MPAA). As of September 28, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (29/100), sexual content at mild (25/100), language at intense (78/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (54/100) and frightening material at minimal (6/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 11 other countries
  • UK15
  • Germany6
  • Ireland15
  • JapanR15+
  • Belgium18
  • Denmark7
  • FinlandK-12
  • Hungary16
  • Poland18
  • RO15
  • Switzerland18
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for an R-rated film
heavier than 18%
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (46 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Cyrus have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Cyrus?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

John C. Reilly
as John
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jonah Hill
as Cyrus
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Marisa Tomei
as Molly
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Catherine Keener
as Jamie
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Matt Walsh
as Tim
Rising: A short career with a standing when this film came out above the median working actor today.
Kathy Ann Wittes
as Ashley
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Diane Mizota
as Thermostat Girl
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Katie Aselton
as Pretty Girl
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jamie Donnelly
as Pastor
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Tim Guinee
as Roger

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Cyrus?

Movies like Cyrus include The Puffy Chair (2005), Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011) and Almost Friends (2016). Of the 8 closest matches, two are films by Jay Duplass, and most are films set in the suburbs.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

5 of these 8 share its story type: second chance. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Cyrus?

2.4K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: rivals. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.