Let Them All Talk

An acclaimed author invites a circle of old friends for a coastal retreat meant to unwind and mend old grudges. What starts as a playful getaway quickly reveals layers of ambition, memory, and the toll of a life lived in the glare of the page. Her nephew tags along to keep things running and ends up stepping into the world of a rising literary agent, complicating the dynamics with a fresh, sharp gaze. The group navigates conversations about art, fame, and aging, trading warmth for friction and back again as the weekend unfolds in brisk, wry fashion. Between sunlit meals and late night talks, old tensions simmer, friendships are tested, and laughter can’t quite mask the ache of longing for acknowledgment. The tone stays light even as tensions threaten to boil over, and the cast keeps a steady rhythm with sharp, contemporary humor.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh and adapted from a story by Deborah Eisenberg, Let Them All Talk arrived on HBO Max in 2020 as a streaming release with a witty, ensemble-driven tone and a quiet, textured style that emphasizes dialogue.

Box office was limited to streaming figures, with no traditional theatrical release. The film premiered on HBO Max in 2020 and was viewed primarily by subscribers, so there are no standalone worldwide grosses reported.

Its cultural footprint is modest yet noticeable for the all star lineup and its blunt take on publishing life and celebrity in mid life. The film sparked discussions about female friendship, aging, and the price of public success, delivered with dry humor and a restrained, observational tone.

Critics highlighted the performances, especially Streep with the ensemble, and the film's brisk banter. They cite its themes of memory, power in the literary world, aging, and the stubborn pull of friendship as the central thread, even as satire keeps things light.