Jimpa Movie Review (2025)

A family drama about a mother and her nonbinary teenager who is seeking a connection with their gay grandfather, Jimpa is a deeply human film that uses conversations about identity, sexuality, and independence to explore the complexities of family relationships.

I have a list of actors whose films I intend to watch every one of. Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Toni Collette, and Bill Nighy are on the list, as is Olivia Colman. There is something warm and bright about the way she appears on screen, even if she is playing an unlikable character. I love watching her. So when I saw her face on this poster, I hit play.

Jimpa is about Hannah, a wife, mother, and filmmaker who finds out that her father, an openly gay man who has always been involved in the gay and lesbian movement, is very sick. With her husband and their nonbinary child, Frances, she goes to Amsterdam to be with her father. Frances, who has struggled to find their place in a school of tolerant but not quite accepting kids, is hoping to move in with their grandpa to gain exposure to a more inclusive lifestyle.

This movie was different from what I expected, and in a very good way. It is a bit of a love letter to the gay community that is now older and fought the good fight so that they could stand shoulder to shoulder with the next person, dignity intact.

But these older men were not like this new generation in their youth. Currently, there are many different labels for identity and sexuality, and fluidity is more acceptable. The term Nonbinary wasn’t defined until more recently, and as far as attraction, you were either gay or straight, there was no bisexual or pansexual. The word “queer” was offensive, and although the LGBTQ+ community has reclaimed it, the men currently in their 70s and 80s may not love that. Their goal was to love each other and keep memories alive (there is a beautiful conversation around the AIDS quilt), and all of the introspection was less important.

The film is extremely reflective and visually engaging, intermixing memory sequences alongside whatever is being discussed. It doesn’t shy away from nudity or sex, and although nothing is heavily graphic, all of the sexual moments fit the vibe of the film.

I did take issue with two things, however, and I think they were likely intentional, meant to add complexity and evoke some emotion in the viewer. 16-year-old Frances, who is extremely open with their mother and bathes nude with her twice (curiosity #1 that made me go hmmm), has a consensual sexual encounter with a 19-year-old. The bath with mom is only a bath, but for many of us, it might feel a little uncomfortable, even though they are comfortable. And you can’t give consent to someone over 18 at 16 years old, although consent is asked for at the moment, so it’s somewhat morally ambiguous. Which is a good way to describe a number of things that happen, actually.

The cast is great, including Olivia Colman, John Lithgow, and Audrey Mason-Hyde (who is also director Sophie Hyde’s child), all of whom deliver authentic and layered performances. These characters are imperfect humans who are generally trying to do the right things by themselves and, much of the time, others.

It would not surprise me if there is a mix of reactions to Jimpa, but I very much enjoyed it. It is emotionally intelligent in the way that it presents the differences in dynamics in family relationships, consent, individuality, and so much more. It is both subtle and resonant in its storytelling, and I was interested from beginning to end. I can’t think of anything else quite like it.

Runtime: 113 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

Languages Spoken In The Film: English

Should You Watch It? Yes

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 4/5 Stars

Available: Free on Hulu and Disney+, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms