Joy poster

2024·115 min·Released

Joy

“Three pioneers, one vision: the birth of IVF.”

Drama

A young nurse, a visionary scientist and an innovative surgeon face opposition from the church, state, media and medical establishment, in their pursuit of the world’s first ‘test tube baby’, Louise Joy Brown.

6.9(177 votes)

Popularity2

Videos

Official Trailer

Cast & Crew

Bill Nighy

Bill Nighy

Patrick Steptoe

James Norton

James Norton

Robert Edwards

Thomasin McKenzie

Thomasin McKenzie

Jean Purdy

Charlie Murphy

Charlie Murphy

Trisha Johnson

Rish Shah

Rish Shah

Arun

Cecily Cleeve

Cecily Cleeve

Caroline

Eoin Duffy

Eoin Duffy

Colin

Mariam Haque

Mariam Haque

Marie

Abbiegail Mills

Abbiegail Mills

Meg (Older)

Olivia Sellers

Olivia Sellers

Sara

Joanna Scanlan

Joanna Scanlan

Gladys May

Tanya Moodie

Tanya Moodie

Muriel

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Release Timeline

Digital · estimated
Digital / VOD
Joy
November 22, 2024
Streaming
Now streaming on Netflix
Joy

griggs79

Written on 12/1/2024

_Joy_ directed by Ben Taylor, delves into the overlooked story of Jean Purdy, a key figure in the creation of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The film not only brings to light Purdy's often ignored contributions but also serves as a critique of the long-standing marginalisation of women in scientific breakthroughs. It aims to reclaim a narrative that has historically sidelined the role of women in such significant achievements. Ben Taylor's direction chronicles the groundbreaking development of IVF with an approach reminiscent of a sports film. Though the audience knows the outcome—over two million children have been conceived via IVF since 1979—the film immerses you in the highs and lows, triumphs and failures, leading to the birth of Louise Brown, the world's first "test-tube baby." Thomasin McKenzie's portrayal of Purdy stands out, adding depth to a character who faced significant professional and personal challenges. Bill Nighy offers a memorable turn as surgeon Patrick Steptoe, blending compassion and wit. At the same time, James Norton brings warmth to the role of scientist Robert Edwards. Together, the trio captures the tension, camaraderie, and determination needed to challenge societal and scientific norms. The film's strength lies in its focus on the procedural breakthroughs and emotional and ethical dilemmas its protagonists face. It frames the IVF journey as a collective struggle against deep-seated prejudices, balancing moments of triumph with the harsh realities of rejection and scepticism. However, some aspects of the storytelling feel superficial, and the film needs to fully dive into its characters' complexities. The marginalisation of women in the scientific and medical fields is an ongoing issue. Historically, many female scientists have been overshadowed by their male counterparts. For example, Rosalind Franklin's pivotal work in discovering the structure of DNA was primarily credited to James Watson and Francis Crick. Similarly, the film _Hidden Figures_ brought to light the incredible contributions of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—African-American women mathematicians at NASA—whose work was crucial to the space program's success but went uncelebrated for decades. _Joy_ is a commendable effort to highlight an important figure and the persistence required behind one of modern medicine's significant achievements. While the film has flaws, it succeeds in shedding light on Purdy's legacy and the crucial role of women in scientific innovation, ensuring their contributions are finally acknowledged.

Media

The Incredible True Story Behind Joy

The Incredible True Story Behind Joy

Thomasin McKenzie on the message by IVF drama Joy #lff

Thomasin McKenzie on the message by IVF drama Joy #lff

Joy's James Norton on the impact of IVF #lff

Joy's James Norton on the impact of IVF #lff

Official Trailer

Official Trailer

First Look Teaser

First Look Teaser