Babies - TIFF [2026]

Babies [2026]

Film

Back in 2023 Seth Rogen was on The Diary of a CEO podcast and shared an anecdote about his and his wife's Lauren Miller Rogen blissful feelings stemming from the decision to not have children. Well then do you also remember shortly after that how it felt that there was a whole PR cycle harassing the Rogens about this personal and entirely respectable choice? I do, and I remember it being weird. Lauren Miller Rogen, I'm assuming, must've felt similarly as she's now returned to the writer's room and the directing chair for the first time since her 2018 debut Like Father, with Babies. A film which centers on Aaron (Rogen) and his wife Annie (Anna Kendrick) as they live their life trying to navigate whether or not to have kids and balance their careers and marriage at the same time. Although I can't attest that this press cycle was the direct inspiration for Miller Rogen's film, it's abundantly clear that it is an incredibly personal story and one that is filled with intimate pieces from the Rogens' lives. The personal touch to the story, combined with Miller Rogen's absolutely hysterical humor, and a bona fide spectacular cast make Babies an incredibly entertaining and thoughtfully introspective film on what it means to be a parent, a partner, and your own individual being.

First and foremost, the personal affectations of Babies are not only compelling storylines in their own right, but if you know of their connection to the Rogens prior to seeing the film, it adds a touching layer of depth beyond the visuals. Not only in casting Rogen as the husband of the central couple, which mind you pays off incredibly well, but adding in Annie's mother having dementia and tying that into the idea of having/not having kids is tremendous. The Rogens have been very vocal about Miller Rogen's mother's battle with Alzheimer's, of which they do a tremendous amount of philanthropic work for their non-profit Hilarity for Charity, so when someone asks "who will take care of you when you're older?" it paints a vivid emotional picture that Miller Rogen works into Babies with fantastic ability.

Certainly not everything in the story works to such a degree. Many of the emotions and thinking of Aaron and Annie are conveyed through a narrated internal monologue which is unbalanced throughout. Sometimes working to divulge hidden ideas, or cracking a joke, but ultimately it serves as a crutch for Rogen and Kendrick's performances. However, Rogen and Kendrick still turn in wonderful work, in no small part due to their delightful on-screen chemistry. A chemistry that quite frankly is shared across what is a shockingly incredible cast with the likes of Issa Rae, Zach Cherry, Dan Stevens, Kate Berlant, and some fun smaller roles with Sharon Stone, David Strathairn, and Ed Helms.

On top of an unbelievably stacked cast and story with touching personality, Miller Rogen's comedic beats are what really turn Babies into something special. Amidst all of the more serious moments is a perfectly curated mix of clever quips and witty dialogue, along with a healthy dose of crass jokes such as Aaron and Annie pondering which of their friends do anal when all of them have kids. Humor such as that is likely to be expected with Seth Rogen in the picture, but I am thoroughly impressed with the tonal balance that Miller Rogen strikes with her writing. Her navigation of such personal and emotional storylines through hilarious jokes that land with aplomb is something to behold and makes Babies a wonderfully raucous time.

Froth

I'm a little upset that it took Lauren Miller Rogen eight years to put out another written and directed feature, but hey, it took me two years to get back to TIFF so what do I know. My main gripe is that I could use a movie like Babies as often as I can get them, and if that's every eight years then I guess I'll take it, but Lauren (can I call you Lauren?) if you're reading this (she isn't) I'd love a regular cadence of your infectious humor and heart in movies. Just like-a brief moment for the segway please-I would like a regular cadence of Mill St. Brewery's Haze Phaze Hazy IPA in my possession. It's the type of Hazy IPA you dream of, filled with tropical fruity flavors and aromas. Wafting between stone fruit, tangerine, and melon, while delivering a full mouthfeel that is damn close to having to chew through, but whew is it worth it. It's sweet, refreshing, and overall an absolute delight. If I have to go to Toronto to drink this damn beer then so be it. I'll mention that at customs next time I come through.