When Marnie Was There | Rotten Tomatoes

When Marnie Was There

PG

Now Playing

1 hr. 43 min.

Kids & Family

Drama

Fantasy

Mystery & Thriller

Anime

List

92%

100 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A tomboy (Hailee Steinfeld) explores a long-abandoned villa and meets a mysterious blonde girl only she can see.

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Critics Consensus

When Marnie Was There is still blessed with enough visual and narrative beauty to recommend, even if it isn't quite as magical as Studio Ghibli's greatest works.

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Chase C

Loved the first hour-ish, I do not understand the twist in the slightest, definitely got queer-baited :(

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Lindamadrina

An excellent ghost story with a sweet ending, this movie deals with some complex adolescent difficulties as well as parenting struggles. It does so in the lush, detailed scenes Studio Ghibli is known for. Little things like shoes found in strange places, laundry hanging to dry, the details of a flower and delicious food draw the viewer right in. The stark contrast between the peeling paint on the dilapidated mansion vs. the same home in its original glory, again contrasted with yet a different look when it gets a new owner, accentuates the movement of the story and helps the viewer follow along with the events as they unfold. It's another masterpiece in animation telling a good story with a few lessons slipped in to carry away in one's heart.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Mr C

Truly breathtaking, every second is visually stunning. It was so easy to sympathise with the characters and their struggles. Anna feels disconnected from her family and peers but finds comfort around Marnie and learns to let herself be open to others rather than be singled out. Marnie is a deeply hurt character physically and emotionally who does everything in her power to help Anna through her toughest moments for she is a genuinely kindhearted person. The plot is so mysterious and intriguing as pieces of the story slowly unfold to reveal a magical tale that many can resonate with. By far my favourite Studio Ghibli film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

Kyle C

Yet another incredible film from Studio Ghibli. I loved how the film dealt with heavy topics like depression, abuse, and loneliness in a very real, modern way. The plot is not entirely clear immediately after watching, but I'm loving this movie more and more as I think about it longer. It's got so much depth and nuance to analyze. And not just the writing, even the animation! It effortlessly champions for queer representation without that being the focus of the story, or really even a major plot point at all. It's just an amazing movie all around and has made its way towards the top of Studio Ghibli favorites list.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Tyler Q

My favourite Studio Ghiblie film, even if it did queerbait me

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

Saint M

A Ghost Story with Heart When Marnie was There is the story of Anna, a young girl who has shut herself off from the world. She feels unloved and alone even in the care of her foster parents. Anna is sent away to visit some relatives on the coast where she meets a young girl living in a mansion who will change her life forever. As far as Studio Ghibli movies go this isn't chock-full of magical creatures, wondrous landscapes, and impossible logic. What Marnie does offer audiences is a reminder that there is no greater feeling than to be loved. Sometimes the simplest stories can be the most powerful, as is the case with When Marnie was There. It's nice to watch hand-drawn animated movies, especially a Studio Ghibli movie. The art, backgrounds, and colors are tame compared to others yet still captivate the eye. The American voice actors gave terrific performances, especially Hailee Steinfeld who had the difficult task of expressing growth and maturity using only her voice. Prop I Want: Windchime Most Punchable Face: N/A Favorite Quote: "A witch. Takes one to know one!" - Marnie's Father.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

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Hiromasa Yonebayashi

Director

Hailee Steinfeld

Anna

Kathy Bates

Mrs. Kadoya

Mila Brener

Young Hisako

Ellen Burstyn

Elderly Lady

Geena Davis

Yoriko Sasaki

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

The quasi-Sapphic intensity of Anna and Marnie's relationship - recalling Ghost World or a benign Heavenly Creatures - is poetically and sensitively handled.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 9, 2016

Full Review

Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

While Marnie lacks the densely mystical, immersive quality of Ghibli at its best, the film features characteristically exquisite hand-drawn animation and a sensitivity to the precarious, friable quality in an adolescent girl's self-worth.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 12, 2016

Full Review

Leslie Felperin

Radio Times

The painterly, old-school aesthetic brings an aptly nostalgic feel to this examination of how the past can haunt the present and the rapturous intensity of young friendship.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 9, 2016

Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Michael J. Cinema

Does what Ghibli has always done, and done so well: Address the cruel twists and turns life can take.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 15, 2021

Full Review

Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

It's amazing how [Studio Ghibli] can so easily tap into the wonder and awe of young people.

Rated: B

Jul 15, 2020

Full Review

Fiona Underhill

JumpCut Online

There is a pervading sense of melancholy in this film, but you cannot help but be swept up in its stunning beauty. It is a totally immersive experience, like dipping your head into a watercolour painting and swimming about in it for two hours.

Rated: 8.5/10

Jul 1, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

A tomboy (Hailee Steinfeld) explores a long-abandoned villa and meets a mysterious blonde girl only she can see.

Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Screenwriter: Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Keiko Niwa, Masashi Ando
Distributor: GKIDS
Production Co: Studio Ghibli
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Smoking)
Genre: Kids & Family, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): May 22, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $314.3K

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