Julia (2008)
A volatile, alcohol-fueled woman stumbles into a kidnapping plot that sends her life spinning dangerously out of control.
Julia - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Erick Zonca
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 24m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 12, 2008 (France - U)
- Production Companies: Le Bureau, Les Productions Bagheera, France 3 Cinéma, StudioCanal, The 7th Floor, Saga Film, Motion Investment Group, Jaibol Films
- Production Countries: France, United States of America, Mexico, Belgium
Julia - Plot
An alcoholic becomes involved in a fellow A.A. member's plan to kidnap her young son from the boy's wealthy grandfather.
Julia - Trailer
See the tension and chaos unfold in the official trailer:
Where to Watch Julia
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Julia - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Erick Zonca
Main Cast
- Tilda Swinton
- Saul Rubinek
- Kate del Castillo
- Aidan Gould
- Jude Ciccolella
- Bruno Bichir
- Horacio García Rojas
- Gaston Peterson
- Kevin Kilner
- John Bellucci
Writers
- Erick Zonca
- Aude Py
Producers
- François Marquis
- Bertrand Faivre
- Hubert Toint
- Allen Bain
- Jean-Jacques Neira
Julia - FAQs
What is Julia (2008) about?
Julia follows a hard-drinking, self-destructive woman who gets pulled into a desperate scheme to kidnap a young boy from his wealthy grandfather. What starts as a quick money grab spirals into a chaotic, increasingly dangerous journey across the US-Mexico border, with Tilda Swinton delivering a raw, electrifying performance at the center of it all.
Does Julia have a surprising or ambiguous ending?
The ending of Julia is deliberately open-ended and emotionally complex. After everything Julia has put herself and young Tom through, the film closes on a note that feels both exhausted and quietly transformative — suggesting that survival and a fractured kind of redemption are the only prizes left standing.
Is Julia worth watching for Tilda Swinton's performance?
Absolutely. Swinton's performance is widely considered one of her finest — fearless, physically committed, and emotionally unguarded. Critics praised her ability to make Julia both deeply flawed and compulsively watchable. If you're a fan of bold, actor-driven cinema, this one is hard to skip.
Where can you stream Julia (2008)?
Streaming availability for Julia (2008) varies by region and platform. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date options for renting, buying, or streaming the film in your area.
Who are the main actors in Julia?
Tilda Swinton leads the cast as the title character, delivering a tour-de-force performance. She's joined by Kate del Castillo as Elena, the desperate mother who sets the plan in motion, Aidan Gould as young Tom, and Saul Rubinek as Mitch. The ensemble brings real grit to this cross-border thriller.
Is Julia (2008) based on a true story?
Julia is not based on a specific true story. It's an original screenplay by director Erick Zonca and co-writer Aude Py. However, the film draws on very grounded, realistic themes — addiction, desperation, and moral collapse — that give it a raw, documentary-like authenticity throughout.
Where was Julia (2008) filmed?
Julia was filmed primarily in Los Angeles and across the US-Mexico border region, with significant sequences shot in Mexico. The sun-scorched landscapes and border-town settings are integral to the film's atmosphere, giving the story a sweaty, desperate texture that mirrors Julia's own unraveling.
How was Julia (2008) received by critics?
Critics responded warmly, with most praise directed squarely at Tilda Swinton's fearless lead performance. Reviewers highlighted the film's raw energy and its willingness to follow its deeply flawed protagonist without flinching. Some noted the lengthy runtime as a challenge, but few disputed the power of Swinton's work.
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