How John Early Pulled Off the Impossible With Maddie's Secret

‘Maddie’s Secret’ Review: John Early’s Directorial Debut Comedy Is More Sincere Than Satirical

John Early directs, writes, and stars in 'Maddie's Secret.' Read our review.

How John Early Pulled Off the Impossible With Maddie's Secret

—Sela ShiloniMuch of what you need to know about the art that inspired John Early to become the artist he is today is somewhere in his directorial debut, Maddie’s Secret. The curry of connotations and reference ratatouille in his tale of a food influencer’s struggle with an eating disorder evokes the melodramas of multiple eras, from ‘50s woman’s films to ‘80s and ‘90s issue-oriented TV movies like Kate’s Secret (after which it was named) and Pe…

Maddie's Secret — John Early [Review]

John Early is a tightrope artist. There’s little about his debut feature, Maddie’s Secret, that should work. With the DNA of a comedy sketch, Maddie’s Secret is a drag performance, an ’80s after-school special, a Sirkian melodrama, a cutting satire of millennial America… all centered around a woman with an eating disorder. The movie is [...] The post Maddie’s Secret — John Early [Review] appeared first on In Review Online.

Maddie’s Secret Review: John Early Shows Total Commitment In Feature Debut

Note: This review was originally published as part of our 2025 TIFF coverage. The film opens on June 19. You can’t accuse John Early of not committing. Through the majority of his acting career, the comedian has become a reliable avatar for a palpable, toxic, hilarious narcissism, playing characters oblivious to the world outside the bubbles they’ve so thoroughly cultivated. That was particularly evident over four seasons of Search Party, as we…

John Early on Maddie’s Secret

The comedian and actor discusses his directorial debut, a wonderfully original send-up of TV movies, erotic thrillers, and more

'I Love Movies Because of Women.' How John Early Pulled Off Maddie's Secret

Much of what you need to know about the art that inspired John Early to become the artist he is today is somewhere in his directorial debut, Maddie’s Secret. The curry of connotations and reference ratatouille in his tale of a food influencer’s struggle with an eating disorder evokes the melodramas of multiple eras, from ‘50s woman’s films to ‘80s and ‘90s issue-oriented TV movies like Kate’s Secret (after which it was named) and Perfect Body. I…