The High Note

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The High Note

PG-13

2020

1h 53m

Comedy

Drama

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

192 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Maggie is the overworked personal assistant to Grace Davis, a superstar singer whose talent and ego have reached unbelievable heights. Stuck running errands, Maggie still wants to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. But when Grace's manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change both of their lives forever.

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Critics Consensus

The High Note doesn't quite soar above rom-com formula, but audiences seeking some comfort viewing should find themselves solidly in harmony with this well-acted genre entry.

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Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Nov 26, 2020

3/5

You know what? This thing is sweetly affable even at its silliest.

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Kimber Myers

Crooked Marquee

Nov 16, 2020

C+

Like a ... pop song that leaves your head the second it's over, The High Note is pleasant enough while you're experiencing it, but it refuses to linger after the credits roll.

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Jake Wilson

The Age (Australia)

Sep 25, 2020

2.5/5

While Maggie eventually proves her competence as a producer, there's no attempt to suggest that her work is especially brilliant or groundbreaking. Nor could any claim remotely like that be made for The High Note. But all goes down easy.

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James Profetto

Reel James (YouTube)

Jul 4, 2026

5/10

The screenplay is very predictable and offers nothing new for the genre. There are so many tropes that we've seen before.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

Jun 12, 2024

Ross plays Grace as a woman graciously accepting backhanded compliments from people who will never be as great as her. It could have been an intriguing intersectional study on power.

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Jillian Chilingerian

Offscreen With Jillian

Aug 30, 2023

Johnson and Ross have harmonious chemistry that makes this film play like a romantic comedy between two women from different backgrounds.

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COS M

@CosMovies 5 days ago

The High Note is one of those rare movies that simply makes me happy every time I watch it. Filled with wonderful music, beautiful cinematography, humor, romance, and terrific energy, it is ultimately a story about potential—believing in yourself, following your dreams, having the tenacity to pursue them, and recognizing the gifts in the people around you. Dakota Johnson is wonderful as Maggie, bringing warmth, ambition, vulnerability, and an effortless natural presence to the role, while Tracee Ellis Ross gives Grace both the glamour of a music icon and the humanity of a woman carrying parts of her past privately. Beneath all the entertainment are stories about love, family, friendship, ambition, secrets, second chances, and people learning to truly see one another. The music brings everything together beautifully. An uplifting, enormously entertaining film that leaves you smiling every single time.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 23, 2026

The High Note = a 3.5 star Movie!

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P M

@RT91101794 Apr 26, 2026

Tracee Ellis Ross is super in her role as a pampered and powerful success. The love story moves slightly behind the script. But the big love is revealed near the end, with a song worth waiting for. Interesting bits about navigating life in the music industry, and sometimes lol funny.

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Parker G.

@pgrason1 Mar 19, 2026

The plot is very interesting but Dakota Johnson’s performance is kind of monotone and doesn’t really match her characters ambitious goals and personality. Everyone and everything else was extremely impressive and I really like the writing and its glimpse into that view of a struggling producer.

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Keith B B

@Okbullard Jan 25, 2026

Wow what a nice surprise as this was much better than I initially expected. I've always liked Ice Cube and he didn't disappoint here. I enjoyed Tracee Ellis Ross in Black-ish but didn't know she can really belt out the songs. It was a decent story with a great ending. Give it a look you won't be sorry.

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Diana H.

@Diana_Hufft Nov 14, 2025

I loved this movie. Dakota did a fantastic job, and the characters are wonderfully crafted.

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Nisha Ganatra

Director

Dakota Johnson

Maggie

Tracee Ellis Ross

Grace Davis

Kelvin Harrison Jr.

David Cliff

Ice Cube

Jack Robertson

Zoe Chao

Katie

The High Note: Official Clip - Be My Producer

3:48

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The High Note: Official Clip - Romantic Jam Session

1:44

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The High Note: Official Clip - Rehearsal Montage

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The High Note: Official Clip - Just an Assistant

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The High Note: Official Clip - They Don't Love You Like I Do

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The High Note: Official Clip - You Are Not a Producer

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The High Note: Official Clip - Poaching Grace

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The High Note: Official Clip - Musical Flirting

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The High Note: Official Clip - Mother & Son Duet

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The High Note: Official Clip - Small World

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The High Note: Featurette - Find Your Voice

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The High Note: Music Video - Love Myself

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Synopsis

Maggie is the overworked personal assistant to Grace Davis, a superstar singer whose talent and ego have reached unbelievable heights. Stuck running errands, Maggie still wants to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a music producer. But when Grace's manager presents her with a choice that could alter the course of her career, Maggie and Grace come up with a plan that could change both of their lives forever.

Director: Nisha Ganatra
Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Screenwriter: Flora Greeson
Production Co: Working Title Films, Perfect World Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive References|Some Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 25, 2020
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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