Babyteeth

On the verge of life and death, Milla, a terminally ill teen, pursues a reckless but warm bond with Moses, a small-time drug dealer she meets by chance. Her mother Anna and stepfather Henry watch with worry as this intense romance pulls the family into uncharted territory, testing boundaries they thought were settled. The film follows their attempts to protect, misunderstand, and ultimately learn from each other as illness shadows every choice. With sharp humor and compassionate heartbreak, Babyteeth tracks a summer that arrives with hard truths, late-night calls, and stubborn hope. Eliza Scanlen embodies Milla, while Toby Wallace, Essie Davis, and Ben Mendelsohn bring the parents into focus.

Released in 2020 and directed by Shannon Murphy, the film adapts Rita Kalnejais's stage play Baby Teeth for the screen, blending intimate performances with offbeat humor and a distinctly Australian sensibility. The result emphasizes character over spectacle and invites steady attention to mood, dialogue, and choice.

The film earned nominations at several national award ceremonies, acknowledging the craft across direction, acting, and production. Critics singled out Eliza Scanlen's vivid central performance and Murphy's deft handling of sensitive material, while the ensemble cast gives warmth to a story that toggles between tenderness and volatility.

Within Australian cinema, Babyteeth is recognized for its frank portrayal of illness through a teenage romance. It sparked conversations about family boundaries and the ethics of care, inviting viewers to reassess what can be asked of parents and partners when life is fragile. The film's blend of humor and sorrow has lingered with some festival audiences.

Critics describe it as a sharply observed drama that refuses easy answers. It centers on mortality, desire, and the way love redraws a family map, showing how choices made in affection ripple outward. The relationship at its core challenges social norms while, at the same time, offering honesty about longing, risk, and the stubborn hope that life can still surprise us.