Maddie’s Secret is comedian, writer, and actor John Early’s critically acclaimed directorial debut starring himself as Maddie, a plucky dishwasher who leaps to viral superstardom at a trendy food content creation company.
While her life seems picturesque – complete with an adoring husband (Eric Rahill), ride-or-die best friend (Kate Berlant) 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.
A pitch-perfect blend of satire, melodrama, daring tonal shifts and intimate performances, the film marks a bold new voice in contemporary cinema.
“Brimming with style and spirit up to the final scene, Maddie’s Secret is among the most daring movies I’ve seen this year.” – Natalia Winkelman, The New York Times (Critic’s Pick)
“It is a film of real kindness.” – Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire
“Maddie’s Secret is a perfectly pitched satire that targets both the Lifetime films of the ’80s and ’90s and contemporary influencer culture while simultaneously being an effective exercise in empathy for its heroine.” – Kimber Myers, Crooked Marquee
“In a satire like this, the laughs start heavy, but Early’s best trick is ending this journey in an earnest, emotionally authentic place.” – Jake Kring-Schreifels, The Film Stage
“John Early’s directorial debut, about a young woman struggling with an eating disorder, is a sincere and surprising comedic triumph.” – Mark Asch, Little White Lies
