Chuck Chuck Baby

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Chuck Chuck Baby

2024

1h 41m

Drama

Comedy

LGBTQ+

Musical

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Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Present day, industrial North Wales. Helen, late 30's, spends her nights packing chickens and her days caring for dying mother-figure Gwen. Helen's mundane world takes a surprising turn with Joanne's return; they were the objects of the other's secret teenage passions. Encouraged by Helen, Joanne starts a playful wooing game. As they fall in love, Helen's zest for life returns but Joanne feels the walls close in as she faces something darker from her past. Helen's world shatters when Gwen dies and Joanne's painful memories make her flee. Both women reflect on their unfulfilled chance before finding the courage to let go of the past and allow their love to win.

Critics Consensus

Deftly balancing the moods of kitchen sink drama and buoyant romantic comedy, Chuck Chuck Baby is a winning first feature effort from writer-director Janis Pugh.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Jul 22, 2024

4/5

There’s nothing quite like the bittersweet, cathartic rush of belting out a ballad... First-time feature director Janis Pugh harnesses this to heart-swelling effect in a gorgeous celebration of female camaraderie, second chances and poultry processing.

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Nicola Austin

Empire Magazine

Jul 16, 2024

3/5

An endearing tale of self-acceptance, wearing its heart fully on its sleeve thanks to the affecting central romance and joyous transformation of its protagonist.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Jul 16, 2024

4/5

There is a terrific warmth and emotional generosity to this romantic comedy-drama from the Welsh film-maker Janis Pugh

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Gavin Spoors

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Aug 4, 2025

4/5

Chuck Chuck Baby is a crowd-pleasing summer flick with a winning queer romance.

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Graeme Tuckett

The Post NZ

Jun 24, 2025

4/5

All that matters is how much fun we can have getting to the foregone conclusion - and the answer is "a lot".

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Kevin Harley

Radio Times

Jan 30, 2025

3/5

As the downtrodden but determined Helen, Brealey brings subtle notes of conviction to Pugh's broad but generous-spirited crowd-pleaser.

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Leon H

@RT13589101 Sep 22, 2026

Never been a huge fan of musicals but didn't mind the way the songs weaved into the dialogue, although not a single tune is memorable. That was as good as it got for me. I didn't care much for any of the characters. The humour when attempted falls flat. The third act volte-face from one of our protagonists felt jarring and forced, just to build dramatic tension (particularly when she had spent the first hour wooing the main character). The dandelion clock motif also wore thin as time went on. Magical realism really rubs me up the wrong way. This is a love story filled with nothing but tired cliches from other, better films.

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Rachel T

@itssapphrodite Sep 9, 2024

Chuck Chuck Baby is as heartfelt as it is unique. On top of being a refreshing take on a jukebox musical, it also has the perfect blend of drama, comedy, and lesbian romance. It has become an instant classic for me, I truly can’t recommend it highly enough. Louise Brealey and Annabel Scholey have amazing chemistry and give wonderful performances. Watch it, you won’t regret it.

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Janis Pugh

Director

Louise Brealey

Helen

Annabel Scholey

Joanne

Sorcha Cusack

Gwen

Celyn Jones

Gary

Emily Fairn

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Synopsis

Present day, industrial North Wales. Helen, late 30's, spends her nights packing chickens and her days caring for dying mother-figure Gwen. Helen's mundane world takes a surprising turn with Joanne's return; they were the objects of the other's secret teenage passions. Encouraged by Helen, Joanne starts a playful wooing game. As they fall in love, Helen's zest for life returns but Joanne feels the walls close in as she faces something darker from her past. Helen's world shatters when Gwen dies and Joanne's painful memories make her flee. Both women reflect on their unfulfilled chance before finding the courage to let go of the past and allow their love to win.

Director: Janis Pugh
Producer: Anne Beresford, Adam Partridge, Andrew Gillman, Peggy Cafferty
Screenwriter: Janis Pugh
Distributor: Dark Star Pictures
Production Co: Artemisia Films
Genre: Drama, Comedy, LGBTQ+, Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 2, 2024, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2024
Runtime: 1h 41m

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