In a fierce bidding war between several production companies like Neon, Netflix has bought the May December (2023) North American distribution rights for $11 million. CAA Media Finance, UTA Interdependent Film Group, and Rocket Science Film Company will finalize the ground-breaking deal for Netflix. In early February of this year, British streaming service, Sky Cinema, acquired UK distribution rights for the film. 

Directed by Todd Haynes (Velvet Goldmine (1998), Carol (2015)), May December (2023) is a romance drama that stars Natalie Portman, an actress who travels to study a married woman, Julianne Moore, who was involved in a salacious relationship twenty-years ago with a 13-year old. Conflict ensues when Charles Melton, who plays Moore’s now-adult husband, and Portman’s character begin to develop romantic feelings for each other. Natalie Portman and Will Ferrell are among the producers of the film.

May December was selected for competition and made its debut premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. The film received an eight-minute standing ovation and positive reviews. 

Haynes shared in an interview with Deadline that the Netflix deal gave him confidence and made him feel “emboldened.”

Director Todd Haynes on Netflix’s overnight purchase of ‘May December’: “It’s just made all of us feel emboldened…” #Cannes

Read about the deal here: https://t.co/okIO51F6Pm pic.twitter.com/iRsX3lvrXm

— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) May 23, 2023

Todd Haynes will follow May December with an upcoming NC-17 rated LGBTQ+ romance film starring Joaquin Phoenix.