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IMDbPro

Spoiler Alert

  • 2022
  • PG-13
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
9K
YOUR RATING
Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge in Spoiler Alert (2022)
The story of Michael Ausiello and Kit Cowan's relationship that takes a tragic turn when Cowan is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Play trailer2:25
6 Videos
21 Photos
TragedyComedyDramaRomance

The story of Michael Ausiello and Kit Cowan's relationship, which takes a tragic turn when Cowan is diagnosed with terminal cancer.The story of Michael Ausiello and Kit Cowan's relationship, which takes a tragic turn when Cowan is diagnosed with terminal cancer.The story of Michael Ausiello and Kit Cowan's relationship, which takes a tragic turn when Cowan is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

  • Director
    • Michael Showalter
  • Writers
    • David Marshall Grant
    • Dan Savage
    • Michael Ausiello
  • Stars
    • Jim Parsons
    • Ben Aldridge
    • Josh Pais
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Showalter
    • Writers
      • David Marshall Grant
      • Dan Savage
      • Michael Ausiello
    • Stars
      • Jim Parsons
      • Ben Aldridge
      • Josh Pais
    • 54User reviews
    • 66Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 6 nominations total

    Videos6

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:25
    Official Trailer
    Spoiler Alert
    Trailer 2:22
    Spoiler Alert
    Spoiler Alert
    Trailer 2:22
    Spoiler Alert
    Exclusive: "Merry Christmas"
    Clip 0:43
    Exclusive: "Merry Christmas"
    Spoiler Alert: Just A Friend
    Clip 1:27
    Spoiler Alert: Just A Friend
    Spoiler Alert: Oh Papa
    Clip 1:08
    Spoiler Alert: Oh Papa
    Spoiler Alert: Merry Christmas
    Clip 0:43
    Spoiler Alert: Merry Christmas

    Photos21

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    Top cast37

    Edit
    Jim Parsons
    Jim Parsons
    • Michael Ausiello
    Ben Aldridge
    Ben Aldridge
    • Kit Cowan
    Josh Pais
    Josh Pais
    • Scott
    Allegra Heart
    Allegra Heart
    • Franny
    Jeffery Self
    Jeffery Self
    • Nick
    Braxton Fannin
    Braxton Fannin
    • Michael's Sitcom Older Brother
    Brody Caines
    Brody Caines
    • Sitcom Young Michael
    Tara Summers
    Tara Summers
    • Mrs. Ausiello
    Corey Saucier
    • Dr. Underwood
    Megan Irminger
    • Nurse Angelique
    Nikki M. James
    Nikki M. James
    • Nina
    Sadie Scott
    Sadie Scott
    • Kirby
    Eleni Yiovas
    Eleni Yiovas
    • Night Nurse
    • (as Ellen Yiovas)
    Sally Field
    Sally Field
    • Marilyn
    Bill Irwin
    Bill Irwin
    • Bob
    Jason Gotay
    Jason Gotay
    • Riley
    Nhumi Threadgill
    Nhumi Threadgill
    • Jo
    David Marshall Grant
    David Marshall Grant
    • Tony
    • Director
      • Michael Showalter
    • Writers
      • David Marshall Grant
      • Dan Savage
      • Michael Ausiello
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews54

    7.39K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Spoiler Alert' is an emotional film exploring love, loss, and acceptance. It authentically portrays a gay relationship, highlighting its complexities. Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge are praised for their chemistry and depth. The film balances humor and tragedy, leaving a lasting impression. Sally Field and Bill Irwin’s supporting roles are also noted. Audiences find it a touching, realistic depiction of love, resonating deeply.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10GreatestArtform

    Amazing, epic, brilliant.

    Finally a big budget film that doesn't mock or create more stereotypes within the queer community. This is a heartfelt touching film. Finally they get the idea write a script, and then don't focus on who the characters are gender or sex wise just cast great actors. This is a smart realistic portray of a couple. Who both happen to be male. It is great for the community and it's a step forward. But in general far beyond that this is purely beautiful work of art. It's sad that it took this long comment to understand one that a couple can be male or female and have love and compassion for each other but two on a business end of it this is a huge area of Finance why a company wouldn't have done this earlier I don't know. Now there are thousands of independent future films and short films which are just the same as this. But it's nice to have a bigger budget film finally put this to screen and into theaters. It needs that support for the fact that it's just a beautiful film. And of course for the fact of helping the queer community and not looking down at them.
    8steveinadelaide

    Thoughtful and heartfelt

    There is nothing innovative about the narrative arc of Spoiler Alert, and we are told right at the very beginning how the story is going to end. But the feeling of authenticity conveyed by the leads is what makes this movie worth watching.

    The story is about the 13-year relationship between Michael (Jim Parsons) and Kit (Ben Aldridge) as they navigate life together. The movie starts with Michael lying on a hospital bed next to Kit as he approaches his death from cancer. We then go back in time from Michael and Kit's first meeting and follow them over the years as they move from one stage of their relationship to another. As the story progresses, we are shown how the couple's love for each other changes over time. This is explored through various plot points, such as getting to know each other, their everyday lives, Michael's struggle with depression and Kit's battle with cancer. Each situation shows how the couple must adapt their relationship despite life's challenges.

    The movie also explores communication, trust, loyalty, and commitment. The couple's conversations are often humorous and realistic, which helps to make the film feel more authentic. We also get a glimpse into the struggles of being in a long-term relationship and how difficult it can be to stay connected when life throws curveballs at you.

    The performances by Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge are outstanding as they bring their characters to life with great emotion and depth. They manage to capture the complexities of relationships in an honest way that is easy for us to relate to.

    Spoiler Alert (2022) is a thoughtful and heartfelt movie that explores how relationships can change over time despite life's challenges. It has an authentic feel that will resonate with viewers who have experienced similar situations in their own lives. With solid performances, this movie will leave a lasting impression. And take some tissues - you will need them.
    9EUyeshima

    Ben Aldridge's Standout Work Anchors a Quirky Mortality Love Story

    Just when you think this 2022 dramedy will succumb to predictable tropes that harken back to "Love Story" and "Brian's Song", director Michael Showalter does something quite unexpected whether it's the persistent use of a 1980's-era sitcom or the meet-cute set-up that felt like it came from the same spandex-heavy era. The title is a cheeky reference to the inevitable conclusion of this love story, but it's the quirky way he and co-writers David Marshall Grant and Dan Savage handle the otherwise somber material. Based on Michael Ausiello's real-life relationship with photographer Kit Cowan, it follows their fourteen years together in episodic fashion but forsakes heavy scene chewing for more subtle character development. Not all of the scenes work, but the performances resonate. As Michael, Jim Parsons doesn't shed years of playing Sheldon but moves quite effectively into emotionally complex territory even if his Shirley MacLaine moment came across a bit forced. No stranger to this genre, Sally Field plays Kit's mother with touching grace and strength, and her triathlete aspirations reminded me how she could run to Texas and back but not Shelby in "Steel Magnolias". However, the film's real standout is Ben Aldridge as Kit. His magnetic presence lends a natural charm to the comedy scenes, and he brings genuine pathos to the most devastating moments. This is definitely an actor to watch in the future.
    7FilmFanatic2023

    Jim Parsons and Ben Aldridge shine in touching and heartfelt 'Spoiler Alert'

    "Spoiler Alert" tells the story of Michael (played by Jim Parsons), a shy and guarded pop-culture junkie who is hesitant to explore the gay bar scene in Manhattan. However, on a rare night out with a colleague from TV Guide, he meets Kit (played by Ben Aldridge), the man who ends up being the love of his life. Kit has the confidence and coolness that Michael wishes he had, and the two begin a relationship.

    Throughout the film, the chemistry between Parsons and Aldridge is electric, and their witty banter is a highlight. The film does a good job of showing the lovable sides of both characters, and you can see why they would fall so deeply in love. However, the film also covers the struggles of long-term relationships, including ordinary spats and more serious health issues.

    While the film follows the typical tragic ending for LGBTQ+ movies, it is still a sweet and touching dramedy that will resonate with audiences. Director Michael Showalter incorporates some surreal elements into the film, but they don't quite work as well as the realistic and true-to-life details. Overall, "Spoiler Alert" is a well-acted and heartfelt film that is worth watching.
    8DuchessMacbeth

    Heartfelt comedy

    Perhaps I'm biased because the two leads, Parsons and Aldridge, did a QA at my theater but I enjoyed this film a lot. It was a heartfelt romance movie that was very humorous too, with comedy sprinkled even amidst the horribly sad parts. Ben Aldridge gave a spectacular performance throughout, displaying his range impeccably. That this was inspired by a book-and the actors mention drawing immensely from the original source material and relics of Kit Cowan-made this story all the more compelling. I laughed, cried, all of it, at this movie. It wasn't exceptional, nothing stood out in monumental ways, but as far as good holiday romance movies go, this is up there.

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    Related interests

    Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea (2016)
    Tragedy
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
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    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In a December 2022 article for the Daily Beast, Kevin Fallon reported that in Michael Ausiello's capacity as a TV reporter for publications including TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, and TVLine, Ausiello had interviewed Jim Parsons several times over the years that Parsons starred on The Big Bang Theory (2007). When Ausiello's source memoir was released in 2017, Ausiello asked Parsons to moderate a Los Angeles Q&A session on it, and when Parsons read the book to prepare for the panel, his husband, Todd Spiewak, found him sobbing in their living room. Spiewak suggested to Parsons that if he had such a strong emotional reaction to the story, he should option it for the movies - which is what they ended up doing together (both Parsons and Spiewak are producers).
    • Goofs
      Immediately before Michael and Kit lie down under their first Christmas tree, there are several presents underneath. When they lie down, there are no presents.
    • Quotes

      Kit Cowan: I'm... I'm gay.

      [Marilyn looks at Michael]

      Michael Ausiello: I'm gay, too.

      Kirby: I am also gay.

      [Kit looks at Kirby conforming]

      Kirby: I am.

    • Connections
      Featured in The View: Sally Field/12 Days of Holidays (2022)
    • Soundtracks
      Can't Get You Out of My Head
      Written by Rob Davis, Cathy Dennis

      Performed by Kylie Minogue

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Spoiler Alert?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 9, 2022 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Focus Features
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Alerta de spoiler
    • Production companies
      • Semi-Formal Productions
      • That's Wonderful Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,384,003
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $82,983
      • Dec 4, 2022
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,434,850
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 52m(112 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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