Juniper

Sam is a troubled teen whose school suspension comes with an unusual punishment: he must look after his grandmother Ruth, a fierce, hard-drinking woman who lives alone. Their arrangement starts as awkward duty and soon becomes a series of combustible encounters, sharp exchanges, and surprisingly tender moments. As Sam's reckless instincts rub up against Ruth's stubborn routines, their clashes peel back layers of regret, stubbornness, and affection. The film keeps its tone equal parts darkly funny and quietly sad, showing how two very different people affect each other's habits, outlooks, and sense of responsibility without giving away how their relationship ultimately settles.

Juniper was released in 2021, directed by Matthew J. Saville, and features Charlotte Rampling alongside Marton Csokas and George Ferrier in key roles.

The movie reached audiences mainly through a limited theatrical run and international festival screenings, so its commercial presence was modest, with most viewers encountering it on streaming platforms or at arthouse showings rather than through large box office returns.

Charlotte Rampling's turn as Ruth drew attention, and the film prompted conversations about portrayals of aging, addiction, and family friction. Its blunt, often darkly comic dialogue and a few starkly framed scenes kept it in discussions among critics and cinephiles who favor intimate character pieces.

Critics and audiences offered mixed to positive responses, reflected in a 6.5/10 vote average from viewers. Reviews tended to single out the central performances for depth and nuance, while noting the film's blend of humor and melancholy. Themes of responsibility, grief, and generational tension are threaded throughout, and the screenplay favors quiet, character-driven moments over plot twists, so the emotional impact depends a lot on how viewers respond to restrained, actor-focused storytelling.