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Entertainment • Film

Marriage Story

Marriage Story is a 2019 drama film written and directed by Noah Baumbach.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Marriage Story is a 2019 drama film written and directed by Noah Baumbach. The film stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver as a couple navigating a difficult bi-coastal divorce, with Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta, Julie Hagerty, and Merritt Wever in supporting roles. It was released by Netflix and received critical acclaim, earning multiple Academy Award nominations.

Plot

The story follows Charlie and Nicole, a married couple whose separation turns into a contentious divorce. Their conflict deepens through legal negotiations and custody disputes over their son.

Production

Noah Baumbach wrote, directed, and co-produced the film with David Heyman. The film was produced by Heyday Films and Netflix.

Release

Marriage Story premiered in 2019 and later became available through Netflix. Sources list its theatrical release on 6 November 2019 and streaming release on 6 December 2019.

Reception and awards

The film was widely praised for Baumbach’s direction and screenplay and for the performances of Johansson, Driver, and Dern. It received major awards recognition, including six Oscar nominations and wins for Dern.

Key facts

  • The film focuses on a stage director and his actor wife as they navigate divorce and custody issues.
  • It was written and directed by Noah Baumbach.
  • Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver play the lead roles, with Laura Dern in a supporting role.
  • The film was released in 2019 and distributed by Netflix.
  • Laura Dern won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.
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Canadian context

The film is relevant to Canadian readers as part of the global Netflix catalogue and international awards conversation, but it has no specifically Canadian setting or production context in the supplied sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Marriage Story about?
It is about a married couple whose separation becomes a painful divorce involving custody disputes.
Who directed Marriage Story?
Noah Baumbach wrote and directed the film.
Who stars in Marriage Story?
The lead roles are played by Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, with Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta, Julie Hagerty, and Merritt Wever in supporting roles.
When was Marriage Story released?
It was released in 2019; sources list a limited theatrical release on 6 November 2019 and streaming release on 6 December 2019.
Did Marriage Story win any major awards?
Yes. Laura Dern won several major awards for Best Supporting Actress, including the Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG Award, BAFTA Award, and Critics’ Choice Movie Award.
What genre is Marriage Story?
It is generally classified as a drama film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_Story
    Supports: Basic film identification, synopsis, cast, critical reception, and Academy Award nominations and wins.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/facts/Marriage-Story
    Supports: Release year, runtime, rating, director, writing credits, cinematography, editing, music, and country affiliations.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/marriage_story_2019
    Supports: Director, producers, screenwriter, distributor, production companies, rating, genre, release dates, and runtime.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7653254/
    Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, and plot description.
  5. La Biennale di Venezia — https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2019/programma-cinema-2019-pass-holders/marriage-story-2019-08-30-08-30
    Supports: Director, production, running time, language, country, main cast, and screenplay.