Fairyland

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1:58

Fairyland

R

2025

1h 56m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Produced by Oscar® winner Sofia Coppola (Writing, Original Screenplay, Lost in Translation, 2003) and based on the acclaimed memoir of the same name by Alysia Abbott, Fairyland is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of San Francisco's vibrant cultural scene in the 1970s and '80s. This captivating film chronicles a father and daughter relationship as it evolves through an era of bohemian decadence to the sober and heartbreaking era of the AIDS crisis.

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Critics Consensus

Drawing on one family's real-life experiences, the powerfully acted Fairyland pays poignant tribute to love and resilience in the face of adversity and tragedy.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Jun 2

Most impressive is the way Durham weaves a wealth of archive footage into the film, evoking the spirit of a lost time.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

May 28

4/5

And so this fond, wise, lived-in film chronicles a spectrum of parentification – with the parties switching roles – over turbulent decades. Its emotional force is found in the two-step between parent and child as the sweep of LGBTQ+ history catches up.

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Leslie Felperin

Guardian

May 26

3/5

If the shape of the tragedy is visible from some distance off, writer-director Andrew Durham limns the outlines gracefully with only a discreet soupçon of sentimentality.

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Rosie Fletcher

Radio Times

Jun 18

3/5

The cast, which includes Geena Davis, Adam Lambert and Maria Bakalova in support, is excellent and although the drama hits predictable beats it's certainly beautiful to look at and rather moving besides.

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

May 29

4/5

Opening in 1974, the film is beautifully shot in period style, which allows writer-director Andrew Durham to seamlessly splice in archival footage.

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Dulcie Pearce

The Sun (UK)

May 29

4/5

This well-acted and honest film shows the heart-wrenching loss of joy and talent that Aids took from the world.

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Stephen T

Oct 23

this true to life story actually makes you feel like you're back in the 70s and 80s in San Francisco. the casting convincingly tells a heartbreaking story through the eyes of a daughter growing up with a single gay dad. now i want to read the book.

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jesse v

Oct 22

A good documentary of the gay upbringing culture in classic San Francisco. some scenes were well shot and the actors performances were great. though time really sped through after the first act, even having the daughters side story completely dropped. ending was somber.

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JoAnne

Oct 16

Loved it! Fantastic cast and moving story.

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TY

Oct 13

Heartbreakingly beautiful!

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Lynne

Oct 5

It was a wonderful heartfelt movie. Highly recommend

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MB C

@MB.Cinema Feb 26

Told from Alicia’s perspective, the film traces their evolving relationship through childhood, rebellion, and her father’s illness....Rather than relying on plot twists, it builds emotional depth through memory, identity, and quiet family conflict....The portrayal of an imperfect but loving father adds nuance, especially against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis.....However, its slow pacing and repetitive emotional beats soften the dramatic impact.....A tender, introspective story about forgiveness and reinterpreting the past with maturity.....

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Fairyland: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Produced by Oscar® winner Sofia Coppola (Writing, Original Screenplay, Lost in Translation, 2003) and based on the acclaimed memoir of the same name by Alysia Abbott, Fairyland is a coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of San Francisco's vibrant cultural scene in the 1970s and '80s. This captivating film chronicles a father and daughter relationship as it evolves through an era of bohemian decadence to the sober and heartbreaking era of the AIDS crisis.

Director: Andrew Durham
Producer: Andrew Durham, Sofia Coppola, Megan Carlson, Laure Sudreau, Siena Oberman, Greg Lauritano
Screenwriter: Andrew Durham
Distributor: Lionsgate / WILLA
Production Co: Lost Gang Films West, Black Magic, American Zoetrope, Artemis, Ouroboros Entertainment, Safe Space Pictures
Rating: R (Drug Use)
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 4, 2025
Runtime: 1h 56m