10,000 Saints

Ten Thousand Saints follows a multigenerational tale set against late 1980s New York City, where noise, color, and danger collide. The story centers on a son born to diehard hippies and his messy passage through adolescence, cut through with adoption, teen pregnancy, and drugs. The characters orbit a world of hardcore punk, impromptu concerts, and improvised loyalties, as optimism and reckless folly mingle on city streets and living rooms alike. Through a blend of humor and heartbreak, the film tracks how memory and choice ripple across generations, shaping identities as the adults and their offspring stumble toward adulthood in a city that never sits still.

Directed by Shari Springer Berman, the film adapts Eleanor Henderson's 2010 debut novel with Robert Pulcini credited as screenwriter and producer, merging sharp humor with gritty realism. It captures New York's late 1980s club scenes, adoption dynamics, and the generational rift at its core.

Box office data for Ten Thousand Saints is not widely reported, reflecting its modest indie release rather than a mainstream hit. It opened in limited markets and played selectively in festivals and art house venues, with a quiet commercial footprint. Its festival exposure helped it reach discerning audiences.

Performances anchor the film, with Ethan Hawke delivering a flawed, yearning presence as Les Horn and Asa Butterfield giving Jude a restless mix of curiosity and vulnerability. Hailee Steinfeld and Emily Mortimer bring emotional depth to the Urbanski circle, making the late 80s feel personal rather than distant.

Critics highlighted the film's sharp balance of humor and sorrow, and its honest look at memory, identity, and the pull of community. While not a blockbuster, the story earns its reception by grounding its sweeping premises in concrete relationships and recognizable, messy humanity that lingers in memory itself.