This Is 40
Performance & Direction: This Is 40 Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is This Is 40 (2012) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and This Is 40 features a noteworthy lineup led by Paul Rudd . Supported by the likes of Leslie Mann and John Lithgow , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: This Is 40
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2012, This Is 40 is a Comedy film directed by Judd Apatow. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Paul Rudd.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Pete and Debbie are both about to turn 40, their kids hate each other, both of their businesses are failing, they're on the verge of losing their house, and their relationship is threatening to fall apart. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: Character development is present but somewhat formulaic, following familiar patterns without adding fresh perspectives to the genre.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: This Is 40
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Judd Apatow, This Is 40 attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to comedy resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Paul Rudd, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of This Is 40 reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch This Is 40?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Comedy films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: This Is 40
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $35.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $88.2M |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
This Is 40 Budget
The estimated production budget for This Is 40 is $35.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: This Is 40
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Where to Watch This Is 40 Online?
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Amazon VideoThis Is 40 Parents Guide & Age Rating
2012 AdvisoryWondering about This Is 40 age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of This Is 40 is 134 minutes (2h 14m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.9/10, and global performance metrics, This Is 40 is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2012 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is This Is 40 worth watching?
This Is 40 is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 5.9/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find This Is 40 parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for This Is 40 identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of This Is 40?
The total duration of This Is 40 is 134 minutes, which is approximately 2h 14m long.
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Critic Reviews for This Is 40
So bloated, if still almost good. I having nothing major against it tbh. The cast are probably what stop me from disliking 'This Is 40'. Paul Rudd (Pete) and Leslie Mann (Debbie) are likeable and more than competent in the lead roles, while John Lithgow (Oliver) and Albert Brooks (Larry) are strong additions to this 'Knocked Up' spin-off. The story features interesting stuff and has, just about, respectable intentions, but man is it overly long. They could've made the exact same point but with 30-40 minutes worth of fat cut out. I didn't care enough about the characters to see them for as long as I did, in short. As alluded to, the onscreen talent do keep it bubbling along at a minimal level and, also, the music is very good. It just didn't need to be so dragged out, in my opinion.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
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