The Meddler

Marnie Minervini has left New Jersey for Los Angeles after the death of her husband, whose money leaves her comfortable and free to focus on her daughter Lori, a screenwriter. Marnie's constant texts, drop-in visits and unsolicited advice push Lori to set firmer boundaries between them. Rather than retreat, Marnie turns her energy outward, building friendships and a life of her own in a new city, with the possibility of romance among the changes.

The film is a comedy-drama written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, her second feature after Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and before Hustlers. Susan Sarandon plays Marnie, with Rose Byrne as Lori, J.K. Simmons as Randall Zipper, and Cecily Strong, Jerrod Carmichael and Michael McKean among a credited cast of thirty. Joy Gorman Wettels produced.

Made for about 3 million dollars, the film returned roughly 4 million worldwide, a modest result for a release of this scale. On IMDb it holds 6.3 out of 10 from around 15,000 votes, while on TMDB it sits at 6 out of 10 from 388 votes. A critics' rating of 7 out of 10 from 143 reviews places professional response somewhat above the audience scores on both sites.