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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a 2008 American romantic fantasy drama film directed by David Fincher and adapted from F.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a 2008 American romantic fantasy drama film directed by David Fincher and adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story. It stars Brad Pitt as a man who ages in reverse and Cate Blanchett as his love interest. The film received 13 Academy Award nominations and won three Oscars.

Plot premise

The film follows Benjamin Button, who is born in an unusual physical condition and ages backward over time. His life is closely tied to his relationship with Daisy, which forms the emotional core of the story.

Production

David Fincher directed the film from a screenplay by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord. It is based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of the same name, though the film updates and expands the source material.

Cast

The principal cast includes Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Jason Flemyng, Elias Koteas, and Tilda Swinton. Pitt and Blanchett play the central roles of Benjamin and Daisy.

Release and reception

The film was released in 2008 and received major awards attention, including 13 Oscar nominations. It won three Academy Awards, including for makeup and visual effects.

Key facts

  • Brad Pitt plays Benjamin Button, a man who ages in reverse.
  • Cate Blanchett plays Daisy, Benjamin’s love interest.
  • David Fincher directed the film.
  • The screenplay was adapted by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story.
  • The film received 13 Academy Award nominations at the 81st Academy Awards and won three.
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Canadian context

The film has been widely distributed and discussed in Canada as part of mainstream Hollywood cinema, but it has no strong Canada-specific subject matter beyond Canadian audience reception and exhibition.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button about?
It is about Benjamin Button, a man who ages in reverse, and the life he builds around his relationship with Daisy.
Who directed the film?
David Fincher directed The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
What is the film based on?
It is based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story of the same name.
Who stars in the lead roles?
Brad Pitt stars as Benjamin Button, and Cate Blanchett stars as Daisy.
How many Oscars did it win?
It won three Academy Awards from 13 nominations.
What genre is it?
It is commonly described as a romantic fantasy drama film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curious_Case_of_Benjamin_Button_(film)
    Supports: Release year, director, source material, cast, and Academy Award nominations and wins.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/curious_case_of_benjamin_button
    Supports: Plot premise, director, producer, screenwriter, genre, runtime, and release details.
  3. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/umc.cmc.4jcjrdz0t7b6fqwp8qhkb2i9l
    Supports: Plot synopsis, cast, runtime, and director.
  4. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Curious-Case-of-Benjamin-Button
    Supports: Confirmation that the topic is the 2008 Fincher film.