Short Term 12

2013
R
1h 36m

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

93K

YOUR RATING

John Gallagher Jr., Brie Larson, Rami Malek, and Alex Calloway in Short Term 12 (2013)

Short Term 12 is told through the eyes of Grace, a twenty-something supervisor at a facility for at-risk teenagers. Passionate and tough, Grace is a formidable caretaker of the kids in her charge Â– and in love with her long-term boyfriend and co-worker, Mason. But GraceÂ’s own difficult past Â– and the surprising future that suddenly presents itself Â– throw her into unforeseen confusion, made all the sharper with the arrival of a new intake at the facility: a gifted but troubled teenage girl with whom Grace has a charged connection.

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Psychological Drama Drama

A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend.A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend.A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.9/10

93K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 37 wins & 72 nominations

Luis
(as Kevin Hernandez)

Lydia Du Veaux

Kendra

LaKeith Stanfield

Marcus
(as Keith Stanfield)

Diana Maria Riva

Nurse Beth

Harold Cannon

Mason's Dad
(as Harold Cannon-Lopez)

Silvia Curiel

Mason's Mom

Melora Walters

Dr. Hendler

Bran'dee Allen

Shawnta

Danny Roper

David

Elyssa Gutierrez

Anna

Garryson Zamora

Thom

Director
- Destin Daniel Cretton
Writer
- Destin Daniel Cretton
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
While most of the children were cast through open casting calls, LaKeith Stanfield was the only actor to return from the original short film Short Term 12 (2008). Director Destin Daniel Cretton had to struggle to reach him during the casting as he had quit acting and did not have a cell phone.

Goofs
While Jayden is waiting for her father, she does her makeup (eyeliner around her eyes). After her father fails to come get her, she runs into her room, and after a scuffle, is pinned down by Nate, Grace and Mason. At this point, there is no makeup on or around her eyes.

Quotes
Grace: I like your name, Jayden.
Jayden: It's a boy's name.
Grace: Really? I don't think so.
Jayden: Will Smith did.

Alternate versions
The film has about 20 minutes of deleted footage containing alternate takes of several scenes and/or exposition and backgrounds. These scenes were cut out mostly to lighten the mood of the film and to pick up the pace, according to the editor. These deleted scenes can be found as Blu-ray extras.

Connections
Featured in Short Term 12: Behind the Scenes (2014)

Soundtracks
After Party
Written by Keith Milgaten and LaKeith Stanfield

User reviews194

Review

Featured review

8/10

Living a life not knowing what a normal life's like.

It's not just the residents in this home that are damaged. To some degree, the staff comes here with their own life experiences that are just as damaging as those they care for. Maybe being damaged is what attracts people to the work - I certainly saw it often in psychology and counseling classes.

Grace (Brie Larson), the supervisor, is certainly dealing with a damaged past. It is probably what makes her good at her job, but it does cause her problems. It's balancing the two that makes one successful.

Cutting, anger, withdrawal, are all things you will see in these children/young adults. They are manifestations of their unnatural upbringing. Marcus (Keith Stanfield) is terrified at the prospect of going out on his own. Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) guards her secret past, while Grace tries to pry it open.

Every day is a challenge, and the worst part is not ever knowing if you were successful.