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The Sessions

Play trailer Poster for The Sessions R 2012 1h 35m Comedy Drama Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 197 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Though a childhood bout with polio left him dependent on an iron lung, Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes) maintains a career as a journalist and poet. A writing assignment dealing with sex and the disabled piques Mark's curiosity, and he decides to investigate the possibility of experiencing sex himself. When his overtures toward a caregiver (Annika Marks) scare her away, he books an appointment with sex surrogate Cheryl Cohen Green (Helen Hunt) to lose his virginity.
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The Sessions

The Sessions

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Critics Consensus

Tender, funny, and touching, The Sessions provides an acting showcase for its talented stars and proves it's possible for Hollywood to produce a grown-up movie about sex.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 7, 2017
C-
The story isn't as provocative as it tries to be, and the contrived romance is just as frustrating to watch unfold. Go to Full Review Larushka Ivan-Zadeh metro.co.uk Sep 1, 2017
4/5
The Sessions could easily have slipped into schmaltz, but it's an unexpectedly funny delight, thanks in part to sterling work from Helen Hunt and John Hawkes. Go to Full Review Charlotte Ross London Evening Standard Jan 18, 2013
4/5
Satisfaction guaranteed? Pretty much. Go to Full Review Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Jul 28, 2025
4/5
"The Sessions" shows a heartfelt and honest portrayal what the idea of sexual satisfaction and conquest mean to a person, especially one that can't just go out and perform the way everyone else can. Go to Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Sep 21, 2022
2.5/4
Lewin examines the potentially taboo subject of disabled people having intercourse in a matter-of-fact way that breaches the topic by rendering it a non-issue. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Sep 22, 2020
4.0/4.0
It is very seldom that I find virtually everything that I want within the confines of a single film. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Gareth v @geewah Aug 13, 2025 The Sessions balances sensitive subject matter with warmth and respect, avoiding cheap sentimentality. While it occasionally leans into a familiar indie drama rhythm, its honesty and emotional depth make it stand out. See more Rosana B @RosanaBotafogo Feb 16, 2025 Pensando inicialmente ser um drama ficcional retratado de maneira fofinha e engraçadinha, mas qual não foi minha surpresa ao pesquisar e descobrir que é baseado num artigo de 1990 "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate" de Mark O'Brien , um poeta paralisado do pescoço para baixo devido à poliomielite, que contratou uma substituta sexual para perder a virgindade, que relato lindo e triste… Muito emocionante, sensível, relatos necessário, não capacitista, realista e divertido... Inspirador e excitante... See more Jason H @RT63227314 Aug 27, 2024 Love from a worm's-eye-view of the disabled. Very self-centered to begin with and as you walk through life through that self-centered lens you just realized you're just missing out on all the kinds of "flavors of love" life has to offer. See more Anjum K @RT90179324 May 17, 2023 Too little was expressed in the means of emotions. See more Cees T @RT15093300 Apr 11, 2023 Kinda jealous ngl. 7/10 - Good. See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Jan 30, 2023 An empathetically mature, light-hearted grown-up film with a fragile topic that secondarily intrigues behind the star power's praised caliber to find genuine tenderness in their sensitive approach along with comedic amusement being their smartest degree. (B) See more Read all reviews
The Sessions

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Cast & Crew

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Ben Lewin

Director

John Hawkes

Mark O'Brien

Helen Hunt

Cheryl

William H. Macy

Father Brendan

Moon Bloodgood

Vera

Annika Marks

Amanda

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The Sessions

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Movie Info

Synopsis Though a childhood bout with polio left him dependent on an iron lung, Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes) maintains a career as a journalist and poet. A writing assignment dealing with sex and the disabled piques Mark's curiosity, and he decides to investigate the possibility of experiencing sex himself. When his overtures toward a caregiver (Annika Marks) scare her away, he books an appointment with sex surrogate Cheryl Cohen Green (Helen Hunt) to lose his virginity.
Director
Ben Lewin
Producer
Judi Levine, Stephen Nemeth
Screenwriter
Ben Lewin
Distributor
Fox Searchlight
Production Co
Fox Searchlight
Rating
R (Graphic Nudity|Frank Dialogue|Strong Sexuality)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 19, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.0M
Runtime
1h 35m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital
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