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Maddie's Secret

Play trailer 1:48 Poster for Maddie's Secret 1h 38m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 21 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 Verified Ratings
MADDIE'S SECRET is comedian, writer, and actor John Early's critically acclaimed directorial debut starring himself as Maddie, a plucky dishwasher who leaps to viral superstardom at a trendy food content creation company. While her life seems picturesque -- complete with an adoring husband (Eric Rahill), ride-or-die best friend (Kate Berlant) and a cupboard full of woman-owned ethically-sourced chili crisp to boot -- mounting professional pressures threaten to reawaken a hidden secret from her troubled past. A pitch-perfect blend of satire, melodrama, daring tonal shifts and intimate performances, the film marks a bold new voice in contemporary cinema.

Cast & Crew

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John Early

Director

John Early

Maddie Ralph

Kip Reynolds

Juggler

Neil Wachs

Homeless Man

Kate Berlant

Deena

Claudia O'Doherty

Emily

Critics Reviews

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Randy Myers San Jose Mercury News Mar 17
3/4
Early, who also wrote and directed this high-wire act, couldn’t be better for a John Waters light delight that lampoons handwringing specials that used to dominate TV. Give it a try. Go to Full Review Adam Nayman The Ringer Sep 16
If that sounds like a recipe for disaster, Early aces his own high-degree-of-difficulty assignment by leveraging his alt-comic instincts against a reverent (and revelatory) cinephilia. Go to Full Review Kristy Puchko Mashable Sep 16
John Early is a better ingénue than Sydney Sweeney. Go to Full Review Dan Scully ScullyVision Apr 28
An outwardly absurd film that nails its emotional beats without dipping into mockery or winking at the camera. Go to Full Review Michael Cuby them. Apr 7
It’s a heavy setup on paper, but Early finds a tricky balance as he peels back the layers of the...storyline without ever sacrificing the absurdist humor that has been a trademark of his work since he was doing standup shows almost a decade ago. Go to Full Review Edward Douglas The Weekend Warrior (Substack) Apr 1
8.5/10
This is a fantastic directorial debut by Early, where he both writes and stars as the title character, and absolutely kills it! Go to Full Review Read all reviews
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Maddie's Secret

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Movie Info

Synopsis MADDIE'S SECRET is comedian, writer, and actor John Early's critically acclaimed directorial debut starring himself as Maddie, a plucky dishwasher who leaps to viral superstardom at a trendy food content creation company. While her life seems picturesque -- complete with an adoring husband (Eric Rahill), ride-or-die best friend (Kate Berlant) and a cupboard full of woman-owned ethically-sourced chili crisp to boot -- mounting professional pressures threaten to reawaken a hidden secret from her troubled past. A pitch-perfect blend of satire, melodrama, daring tonal shifts and intimate performances, the film marks a bold new voice in contemporary cinema.
Director
John Early
Producer
Harris Mayersohn, John Early, Luca Intili, Luca Intili
Screenwriter
John Early
Distributor
Magnolia Pictures
Production Co
Dogma 3000, Unapologetic Projects, Dweck Productions, Whetstone Pictures, Radish Films
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 19, 2026, Limited
Runtime
1h 38m