Lights Camera Jackson – ‘Audrey’s Children’ Movie Review

“Audrey’s Children” is one of the best movies of 2025 so far. And only a couple times a year do we really get one of these old fashioned, sophisticated, well told dramas. Natalie Dormer is outstanding as the caring, precise, very determined, and game-changing Dr. Audrey Evans, who goes to Philadelphia Children’s Hospital in 1969 and dives into research on children’s cancer, specifically neuroblastoma.

She truly dissects it, trying to figure out cures and new ways of handling this for the patients and their families. She also creates a revolutionary staging system, which is still used today. Clancy Brown (the voice of Mr. Krabs on “SpongeBob”) is fantastic as Audrey’s boss and head surgeon.

This film is tough to watch, but it’s a must watch. “Audrey’s Children” accurately portrays just how fragile this entire situation is for everyone involved (including “worst nightmare” intensity for parents). You also learn about Audrey starting up the first ever Ronald McDonald House, which is so important, and why plants and the colorful dresses she wears matter.

And it’s very inside baseball — a bit much early on, but if you or someone you know is in the medical field, there should be a lot of appreciation towards the layered, fascinating screenplay and overall genuinely emotional impact.

LCJ GRADE: A-