The many people who missed Sorry, Baby, A24’s new dramedy with a 97% critics’ approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, will soon be able to catch it on HBO Max. Directed by and starring Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby is an exploration of how life goes on after a traumatic event, following Agnes (Victor) in the years after she is sexually assaulted by her faculty advisor.
Also starring Naomi Ackie as Agnes’ best friend Lydie, Sorry, Baby achieved rave reviews for its subversive and sensitive handling of its subject matter. ScreenRant’s Rachel Labonte praised Sorry, Baby just as much, calling it a “breathtaking debut dramedy about friendship and healing” and noting its careful balance between the black comedy and drama genres.
Despite the heights it reached critically, Sorry, Baby had an unremarkable theatrical run, grossing only $3.1 million worldwide. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025, before seeing a limited theatrical release on June 27 and then a wider release on July 25.
Thus, it would seem that many people missed out on this masterpiece. However, HBO Max has now confirmed that Sorry, Baby will be available on the streaming platform from October 30.
What This Means For Sorry, Baby
A24 has had some strong cinematic offerings this year, but Sorry, Baby flew below the radar in comparison to Eddington and Materialists. Even Death of a Unicorn got more attention, understandably so given its established A-list cast and more bombastic premise — but Paul Rudd’s horror comedy was also a box office disappointment before becoming a hit on streaming.
Sorry, Baby is a quieter, unconventional movie that does not have the same broader appeal as some of the independent studio’s other titles, but it has massive critical acclaim behind it, which could turn it into a streaming success if its forthcoming release is well-marketed. It doesn’t exactly scream “streaming hit,” which makes the challenge to become one more interesting.
Our Take On Sorry, Baby’s Streaming Release
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Sorry, Baby possibly deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, though it will be extremely difficult for it to get one with it being Eva Victor’s directorial debut, and it was underseen while in theaters. So here’s to hoping that a streaming release can still launch it to some kind of awards season success.
Regardless, when this is seemingly A24’s best movie of the year, and studio executives must know that they need to rethink how to market Victor’s next project when it’s clear it could be such a critical sensation. Sorry, Baby’s streaming release may offer insight into how to draw wide audiences to a movie like this, but it still may easily turn into a hit once it’s readily available.
Release Date
January 27, 2025
Runtime
104 minutes
Director
Eva Victor
