Months after Maude Apatow’s directorial debut was caught in the collapse of its original distribution deal, “Poetic License” has found a new home. Sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide rights to the comedy and plans to release it theatrically in 2027.
The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it earned positive reviews and was initially acquired by the newly launched distributor Row K Entertainment in a deal reportedly valued between $5.5 million and $7 million. However, Row K later failed to accept delivery of the movie amid reports of unpaid bills, financial problems, and the departures of several senior executives, leaving “Poetic License” searching for another distributor. The state of Row K is almost another story for another time, but the company now appears severely diminished and financially underwater.
Written by Raffi Donatich, “Poetic License” stars Leslie Mann as Liz, a former therapist and soon-to-be empty nester who relocates to a new town for her husband’s job. Lonely and unsure of what comes next, she becomes entangled in the friendship between two college seniors, Sam and Ari, played by Cooper Hoffman and Andrew Barth Feldman.
As the two friends compete for Liz’s attention, their increasingly intense rivalry disrupts all three of their lives and forces Liz to reconsider the choices she has made and the life she still wants.
The ensemble also includes Nico Parker, Martha Kelly, Maisy Stella, Will Price, and Cliff “Method Man” Smith. Apatow’s father, filmmaker Judd Apatow, serves as one of the film’s producers alongside Josh Church, Benjamin Hung, Thalia Daniel, Maude Apatow, Olivia Rosenbloom, and Will Greenfield.
“I grew up watching and loving the films released by Sony Pictures Classics. They shaped my understanding of what movies could be,” Maude Apatow said. “To now be working alongside Michael Barker, Tom Bernard, and the entire team is a dream come true.”
Sony Pictures Classics described the film as “equal parts funny and heartfelt” and praised what it called career-best performances from Mann, Hoffman, and Feldman.
“Poetic License” received strong notices following its TIFF premiere, with critics highlighting Mann’s lead performance and Apatow’s handling of the film’s awkward, emotionally complicated relationships.
A specific 2027 release date has not been announced.
