Poetic License is a 2025 American comedy film directed by Maude Apatow in her feature directorial debut, and written by Raffi Donatich. It stars Leslie Mann, Andrew Barth Feldman, Cooper Hoffman, Nico Parker, Maisy Stella, Method Man, Martha Kelly, and Jake Bongiovi.
The film had its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025 to positive reviews.
Liz, a former therapist and soon-to-be empty nester, becomes the unexpected point of tension between two inseparable best friends and college seniors, Sam and Ari. Liz is forced to reexamine her life as the boys' friendship unravels in a fierce competition for her affection.
In October 2024, it was announced that Andrew Barth Feldman, Cooper Hoffman, Leslie Mann and Nico Parker were cast in the film. In November that same year, it was announced that Maisy Stella was also cast in the film.
Principal photography began on November 6, 2024, in Atlanta.
In November 2024, it was announced that Method Man, Martha Kelly and Will Price were cast in the film. In December that same year, it was announced that Jake Bongiovi was cast in the film.
In August 2025, it was announced that Jeff Morrow would compose the film's score.
Poetic License premiered during the Special Presentations section at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2025. Later that month, Row K Entertainment acquired distribution rights in a deal estimated at $5.5âÂÂ7 million. It was previously scheduled to be released on May 15 and October 16, 2026. Row K's founders allegedly questioned the film's commercial potential, despite positive reviews. This lack of confidence contributed to pushing the release date several times. According to a Variety article, payments tied to the film might not have been fulfilled. Ultimately, in March 2026, Row K dropped the film, allowing its makers to shop it elsewhere.
Esther Zuckerman of IndieWire graded the film an AâÂÂ. Richard Lawson of The Guardian awarded the film four stars out of five. Jourdain Searles of The Hollywood Reporter gave the film a mixed review and wrote as the bottom line: "Warm and well-acted but disappointingly generic."
Pete Hammond of Deadline writes that Apatow "proves she has the chops behind the camera" and calls it an "impressive first feature" that's about "people trying to grow up and find their place in the world." Hammond also uses the opportunity to laud Donatich in her first foray into feature film screen writing calling the writing "supremely intelligent and raucously amusing."