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The Sun Never Sets
Film
FilmNR2026
Maddie's Secret
Directed by John Early
A plucky dishwasher leaps to viral superstardom at a trendy food content creation company. While her life seems picturesque — complete with an adoring husband, ride-or-die best friend and a cupboard full of woman-owned ethically-sourced chili crisp to boot — mounting professional pressures threaten to reawaken a hidden secret from her troubled past. From TMDB
89 reactions from 2 sources (Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Oct 27, 2026 · last updated Oct 28, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
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No Data
Sentiment labels for these sources are still being hand-checked; no score yet.
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluesky * | 20 | 6 | 61 |
| Mastodon * | 1 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
What people are saying
A written summary appears once the title has a score.
At a glance
Maddie's Secret is a 2026 comedy drama film, directed by John Early, starring John Early, Kate Berlant and Eric Rahill.
- 78 people have posted about this film on Bluesky, Mastodon
- posts span Sep 3, 2025 to Oct 27, 2026
Assembled from TMDB, Wikidata and Steam fields and our own counts, nothing written by a model. Method
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
89 public posts have mentioned Maddie's Secret so far, but it needs 10 opinionated reactions from checked sources before it gets a score. Seen it? Post your take.
Critics, per Wikipedia
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 85% based on 89 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Equal parts exuberant crowd-pleaser and intimate passion project, Maddie's Secret embraces melodrama without irony, finding emotional depth in its vibrant style and unwavering commitment to its singular vision." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 74 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. A short excerpt of a dance class sequence in the film, choreographed by Danielle Polanco, became a widely circulated viral GIF.
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 89 · most liked firstDirector John Early explains how food influencer culture inspired his new film, "Maddie's Secret"
neutral · AI labelView post →instead I'm writing about Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Maddie's Secret and Castration Movie. I watch new stuff I love with people who matter to me and challenge me every single week of my life! you can do it too!
neutral · AI labelView post →Once again, Miami's very own O Cinema has used generative AI to write their programming notes and, as usual, made up a completely fake movie with completely fake quotes, this time for Maddie's Secret.
neutral · AI labelView post →One more movie and I'm at 100 new releases for 2026. Am I doing TUNER or MADDIE'S SECRET?
neutral · AI labelView post →"Early’s flamboyantly gendered performance, easily mistaken for cheap parody, is in fact the film’s masterstroke, and its boldest adaptation of the source text," writes Madeline Whittle in her review of "Maddie's Secret"
neutral · AI labelView post →Maddie's Secret one of the best original movie scores in years??
neutral · AI labelView post →"A wholly unique cinematic experience" -- The Hollywood Reporter Discover MADDIE'S SECRET when John Early's new film opens this Thursday July 2nd at the Music Box! Showtimes & Advance Tickets: musicboxtheatre.com/films-and-ev...
neutral · AI labelView post →For @ebertvoices.bsky.social I was thrilled to talk to John Early about the dragalicious tightrope of his new film MADDIE'S SECRET, the gumbo of influences that informed its DNA, and the deep sentimentalism that underlies all that tongue-in-cheek surrealism. www.rogerebert.com/interviews/m...
neutral · AI labelView post →The Toronto International Film Festival starts tomorrow. Our schedule, thus far is (del Toro's) Frankenstein; Franz (yes, it's about Kafka); Maddie's Secret (John early's debut); The Fence (Claire Denis!); and Winter of the Crow (based on the Olga Tokarczuk short story.)
neutral · AI labelView post →MADDIE'S SECRET (2025) Streaming: July 31, 2026 VOD/Digital (Apple, Amazon, Fandango at Home, etc.) #MaddiesSecret whentostream.com/maddies-secr...
neutral · AI labelView post →Happy Pride! My latest substack is not just a review of John Early's very good <Maddie's Secret>; it's also an unabashed plug for you to chip in to @muscledistribution.bsky.social's Kickstarter! That's right: I'm doing themed content, baby! Support trans people working in film! Open your purse!
positive · AI labelView post →How about this for a Sunday at the Chicago Critics Film Festival? Next week, May 3 at the @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social 11:30 AM - You Had To Be There 1:45 PM - Shorts Program #2 4:15 PM - Maddie's Secret 6:30 PM - Late Fame 8:45 PM - A.I. (in 35mm) TICKETS: www.musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-f...
neutral · AI labelView post →MADDIE'S SECRET (2025, theatrical, #film) A wonderfully sincere micro-budget satire/remake/perversion of a 1986 made-for-TV eating disorder movie that finds its humor everywhere you don't expect. Queer, loving, glowing, stupid, and absolutely chock-a-block with L.A. comedy dorks giving it 100%.
positive · AI labelView post →seeing everyone love Coyote vs Acme makes me so happy genuinely if the cel-shaded animation wasn't Like That it would be my movie of the year (instead it has to settle for third place behind Maddie's Secret and Camp Miasma)
neutral · AI labelView post →I keep thinking about Maddie's Secret and how it feels like a movie that a lot of people aren't ready for YET. I feel very lucky to know almost everyone on earth who know who Eric Rahill is who can also take a man playing a woman sincerely seriously. Unfortunately its a small number at the moment.
positive · AI labelView post →Can anybody point me toward reviews of Maddie's Secret by trans movie critics? I've seen plenty of glowing reviews from cis men who love John Early and I would like a take from a different perspective before I see it, and I'm having trouble finding any
neutral · AI labelView post →Film Review: Maddie’s Secret ★★★★ now playing @ifccenter.bsky.social in NYC @magnoliapics.bsky.social #MaddiesSecret thequeerreview.com/2026/06/19/f...
neutral · AI labelView post →John Early's movie Maddie's Secret opens on Friday (including at the Lightbox in Toronto) and if you can, you should go see it one of the five best films of 2026 so far
positive · AI labelView post →The film festival starts today, and we're screening the World Premiere of "Maddie's Secret" later today.
neutral · AI labelView post →Maddie's Secret: John Early is a certified fool (complimentary), and the film is a real vision of a particular fantasy. Just not sure there's much there beyond a pastiche of films that don't exactly treat women with respect.
neutral · AI labelView post →John Early's debut feature MADDIE'S SECRET is like watching WRITTEN ON THE WIND on an edible. Review at @slantmagazine.com: www.slantmagazine.com/film/maddies...
neutral · AI labelView post →Now seated for Maddie's Secret. I've been trying to avoid what this movie is about other than John Early playing the title character. Not sure what I'm in for.
neutral · AI labelView post →Chicago premieres of The Invite! Power Ballad! When a Witness Recants! Chili Finger! The Sun Never Sets! Time and Water! Maddie's Secret! Late Fame! And so many more! The 2026 @chicagocritics.bsky.social schedule is here! www.rogerebert.com/festivals/ch...
neutral · AI labelView post →I am late to the party but finally saw MADDIE’S SECRET & what a warm, wonderful, one of a kind film - very funny & sly but also there’s a surprising amount of heart that makes the film feel personal. I love seeing movies that one else could have made. Kudos to #JohnEarlyn & #MaddiesSecret #movie
positive · AI labelView post →I was sorry not to find Maddie's Secret very good, because John Early's performance is extraordinary, moving, in high style—but the film is neither crude enough nor fine enough, without images or design or a script that match the ambitions; it needs more than intentions; plus,...
negative · AI labelView post →seriously though I cannot think of a single american film I am more excited for this year than Maddie's Secret it looks so good
positive · AI labelView post →Sunday schedule at the Chicago Critics Film Festival @musicboxtheatre.bsky.social @chicagocritics.bsky.social 11:30 AM - You Had To Be There 1:45 PM - Shorts Program 2 4:15 PM - Maddie's Secret 6:30 PM - Late Fame 8:45 PM - Steven Spielberg's A.I. (in 35mm) www.musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-f...
neutral · AI labelView post →Worked the whole weekend so I'm on film 3 of the day: (Send Help, Maddie's Secret, and now whatever absolute piss this new Jason Statham film is)
neutral · AI labelView post →Maddie's Secret may be the worst movie I've seen this year. John Early plays— not a trans woman— a cis woman, played like a trans woman.
negative · AI labelView post →Unlock formative moviegoing memories with MADDIE’S SECRET (2026) #MaddiesSecret filmmaker/writer/actor John Early on the AC Podcast 🗝️💜 TEA WITH MUSSOLINI? Only at The John Early Film Festival – New episode drops Thurs. 7/2 💕🎙️
neutral · AI labelView post →"If there is one big influence, it’s Marnie, the Hitchcock movie... it's psychologically terrifying, and it’s full of physical and emotional and sexual violence, but on its surface, it’s these glowy feminine pastel colors." John Early talks about crafting his directorial debut Maddie's Secret:
neutral · AI labelView post →John Early joined the Film Comment Podcast to discuss his directorial debut, "Maddie's Secret"
neutral · AI labelView post →I saw #MaddiesSecret in the theater a couple of weeks ago and that was my introduction to #JohnEarly. Have you heard of him? He’s kind of an odd genius in my opinion. #LGBTQ #QueerCinema #movies
positive · AI labelView post →Maddie's Secret was a really surprising movie and I truly don't think the target audience is primarily women and therefore I don't think the critique of it being a man telling a woman's story is valid and is ultimately a shallow reading of the film ok thank you for listening
positive · AI labelView post →MADDIE'S SECRET is such a special film and everyone needs to seek it out and watch it immediately.
positive · AI labelView post →I don't know if you ever watched The Paper, but a week after you died, I saw the new indie film Maddie's Secret, where Eric Rahill plays John Early's bear of a husband, and I wanted to rave to you about him all over again. I finally saw someone post this standout shot of him in the movie.
positive · AI labelView post →it's a shame Maddie's Secret doesn't go more absurd with its central conflict—unlike the rest of the movie—in a way that makes it feel afraid to get into the extremes of EDs in either a funny or serious way! there are so many funny moments but the texture connecting everything is the weakest part
neutral · AI labelView post →Maddie's Secret writer/director/star John Early at @siffnews.bsky.social Uptown July 10. Very good TV-movie-of-the-week satire, crazy enthusiastic audience, and a fancy cake at the end from a rep wearing a John Waters t-shirt. Early also spritzed the theater with his Maddie's Secret eau de parfum.
neutral · AI labelView post →It’s like if Crash centered on horny phone scammers. It blew me away. Here's my interview with Georgia and star Cemre (who you can also see in the great Maddie's Secret!) inreviewonline.com/2026/07/10/t...
neutral · AI labelView post →Maddie’s Secret - STARTS Friday, July 10! TICKETS: loftcinema.org/film/maddies... #maddiessecret #johnearly #kateberlant
neutral · AI labelView post →Today's movie is Maddie's Secret.
neutral · AI labelView post →Gay City News just published two of my film reviews. First up, my take on MADDIE'S SECRET: gaycitynews.com/maddies-secr...
neutral · AI labelView post →On MADDIE'S SECRET 🥪 "Kristen Johnston chews up the scenery" - Marc Glassman "The film’s one misstep comes from Berlant’s lesbian side-kick" - @glennsumi.bsky.social "pushes the limits of credibility" - Glibert Seah torontofilmcritics.com/features/tfc...
neutral · AI labelView post →Maddie's Secret is playing the Chicago Critics Film Festival on Sunday, May 3 at 4:15 p.m.! See it early, get tickets here: musicboxtheatre.com/series-and-f...
neutral · AI labelView post →2) I honestly struggled with ‘Maddie’s Secret’ at first. John Early’s debut film is so specific & niche, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Reviewing it in my mind, thinking about it, I was just in awe of how he pulled it off! #MaddiesSecret #TIFFTop5 #TIFF #TIFF50 loose-lips.com/index.php/20...
positive · AI labelView post →John Early shows total commitment in Maddie's Secret, an impressive feature debut that deploys Lifetime Movie style to satire foodie culture.
neutral · AI labelView post →Early joined the Film Comment Podcast for a second, subscriber's only, episode on his debut feature film "Maddie's Secret"
neutral · AI labelView post →nobody told me Maddie's Secret was the best film of the year....
positive · AI labelView post →Haha, this is a scene from a movie that came out this year called Maddie's Secret!
neutral · AI labelView post →I genuinely appreciate Araki making his Zoomer characters say ZOMG and reference Wolf Blitzer because it feels a lot less jarring than if he'd tried to make them use contemporary slang. Felt in convo with MADDIE'S SECRET, another esthetically ridiculous world that the movie takes seriously
neutral · AI labelView post →I really want to see "Maddie's Secret" and it's showing at the Plaza Theatre. But. I heard the premise. And I had to check. Sure enough, the "secret" is an ED (bulimia). This is no knock against the movie and I hope to see it one day because I hear good things. I might need to mark as ON HOLD 💔
neutral · AI labelView post →Love and light, but the trailer for Maddie's Secret was so bad that it made me want to skip the movie I came to see and also never go to the movies again.
negative · AI labelView post →looking at That Movie Logging Site (I've noticed if I name it, weirdos looking for mentions show up), I may be the only one who thought Maddie's Secret was super tonally jumbled which... surprises me
negative · AI labelView post →If you had told me prior to "Maddie's Secret" that one of the hottest (and most tender and affirming) sex scenes I've ever seen on film would be between comedian Eric Rahill and John Early in drag, i would have searched comedian Eric Rahill and been like oh hell yeah
positive · AI labelView post →148. Maddie's Secret (2026) - This was absolutely hilarious. The movie as a whole is so over-the-top, much like the Lifetime movies it is parodying. However, John Early's performance as Maddie stays so grounded and sincere that it elevates everything. I adored this one.
positive · AI labelView post →Time to find out what is John Early’s secret with Maddie is. #filmsky #maddiessecret #movies #film
neutral · AI labelView post →we just posted a new episode of our podcast! we talked about TROMA, indie filmmaking, and the new movie from magnolia pics called Maddie's Secret starring John Early!!! come check it out and get the audio anywhere you get podcasts!!! #filmsky #film #moviesky #horror youtu.be/n61eQWWoBR0?...
neutral · AI labelView post →Maddie's Secret is an insane movie to go into completely blind. No trailer or reviews - never seen John Early's work - just an oddly surreal 1h 40m.
neutral · AI labelView post →38. Maddie's Secret (2025) Gonna wrote a semblance of an actual review: A lot of this movie felt very much like "oh this is the directors first effort" in both and good and bad ways. The makeup work was fairly impressive and there's a admirable earnestness to it but the tone and pacing were off
neutral · AI labelView post →Finally managed to catch a screening "Maddie's Secret" last night ... now that's cinema! Very much a movie that, if it's for you, it's FOR YOU. And it's for ME! I will ride or die with John Early/Kate Berlant forever.
positive · AI labelView post →
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