Milk

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Milk

R

2008

2h 8m

Biography

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

243 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

In 1972, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and his then-lover Scott Smith leave New York for San Francisco, with Milk determined to accomplish something meaningful in his life. Settling in the Castro District, he opens a camera shop and helps transform the area into a mecca for gays and lesbians. In 1977, he becomes the nation's first openly gay man elected to a notable public office when he wins a seat on the Board of Supervisors. The following year, Dan White (Josh Brolin) kills Milk in cold blood.

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Critics Consensus

Anchored by Sean Penn's powerhouse performance, Milk is a triumphant account of America's first openly gay man elected to public office.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

Jan 31, 2019

3/4

Penn is so well-tuned that not for a minute does his Milk lapse into a caricature.

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Nathan Lee

Film Comment Magazine

Mar 20, 2018

Milk is fortuitously, if inevitably, a movie of its moment.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Feb 6, 2018

Penn may be the main attraction, but this is very much an ensemble piece. Emile Hirsch, as cheeky street kid turned activist Cleve Jones, Diego Luna as Milk's annoyingly needy, unstable second lover and James Franco's Scott, add to the communal spirit.

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Dan Bayer

Next Best Picture

Jun 28, 2026

8/10

"Milk" stands as a testament to the collective power of a community that stands up and fights for what’s right, to the unending fight of grassroots activists who give everything for a movement larger than themselves.

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Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

Jun 8, 2026

4/4

If [Gus] Van Sant captures [Harvey] Milk in all his complexities--he was, for instance, a very funny man--MILK also serves as an enticement to grassroots activism, showing how one regular guy elevated everyone around him.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Nov 3, 2025

4/4

The climactic candlelight vigil -- one of the most stirring sights in 20th century American history -- is so expertly handled that it’s inspiring in both its artistic expression and its emotional impact.

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Aug 17, 2026

Milk, starring Sean Penn as LGBTQ+ activist Harvey Milk, is a surprisingly powerful and well-made film. It’s not one I’ve revisited, but whenever I see the poster, I remember just how effective this movie actually was. Sean Penn gives an incredible performance, bringing Harvey Milk’s passion, determination, humor, and vulnerability to life. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with James Franco, Emile Hirsch, and others adding depth to the story. The casting was one of the film’s strongest elements, and the performances kept everything grounded. The screenplay is also very well done. It follows Harvey’s journey while showing the discrimination and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community during that time. What makes it work is that it isn’t only about activism. It explores identity, relationships, sacrifice, loss, and the human cost of fighting for equality. The film reminds us that being different doesn’t make someone less deserving of respect or dignity.

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James D.

@RT96940507 Jun 25, 2026

Hit all the right notes. Powerful without being preachy, melodramatic and avoiding well warn tropes or caricatures

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Meri S.

@mschroeder Jun 9, 2026

This movie shows how we really haven’t evolved much as a nation. A sad commentary. Just replace Anita baker with any Christian nationalist. Acting was superb. Story well told.

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Tyler S.

@tmanstro Jun 6, 2026

This should be required viewing for everyone hating on Pride Month. Gay people used to be denied housing and jobs for being gay. Our society has an evolved attitude that “I don’t care they are gay, as long as they are good at their job.” Before, people didn’t care if you were qualified, you were denied because of being gay. Pride Month is not truly about celebrating sexuality. It is about celebrating that non-heterosexuals can express themselves without living in fear and afforded basic rights of housing and jobs. 40 years ago…that was their reality.

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Mark C.

@mrpiggy1992 May 21, 2026

Best biopic film of 2008

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Mar 1, 2026

Academy Award winner in 2009 for Best Actor (Sean Penn, who played the main mayor (pride) leader in San Francisco, California, USA). 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremony.

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Gus Van Sant

Director

Sean Penn

Harvey Milk

Emile Hirsch

Cleve Jones

Josh Brolin

Dan White

Diego Luna

Jack Lira

James Franco

Scott Smith

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Synopsis

In 1972, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and his then-lover Scott Smith leave New York for San Francisco, with Milk determined to accomplish something meaningful in his life. Settling in the Castro District, he opens a camera shop and helps transform the area into a mecca for gays and lesbians. In 1977, he becomes the nation's first openly gay man elected to a notable public office when he wins a seat on the Board of Supervisors. The following year, Dan White (Josh Brolin) kills Milk in cold blood.

Director: Gus Van Sant
Producer: Dan Jinks, Bruce Cohen
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Jinks/Cohen Company, Groundswell Productions
Rating: R (Language|Brief Violence|Some Sexual Content)
Genre: Biography, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 26, 2008, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.8M
Runtime: 2h 8m

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