🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Uncredited
- Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Road Trip
- Release year: 2022
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 4.8/10 (2.6K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 14%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A foul-mouthed grandma drags her long-suffering grandson on a chaotic road trip to Ireland to shout at her estranged, dying sister, somehow becoming a rave icon and police fugitive along the way.
🍿 The Nan Movie: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An Unexpected Road Trip to Dublin
The film centers on Britain’s notorious, foul-mouthed Nan (Catherine Tate) who, despite her recalcitrant nature, is reluctantly convinced by her grandson Jamie (Mathew Horne) to embark on a road trip. Their destination is Dublin, Ireland, with the goal of reuniting Nan with her estranged, ailing sister, Nell (Katherine Parkinson). Jamie hopes this journey will finally mend the decades-long rift between the two sisters. However, Nan has her own unpredictable agenda, leading them into a series of increasingly bizarre and chaotic situations that threaten to derail their mission.

Wacky Escapades and Police Pursuits
As Nan and Jamie traverse the country, their road trip quickly devolves into a string of outlandish adventures. These include an unexpected party with an Australian rugby team and a chaotic all-night rave. Nan’s antics frequently push the boundaries, keeping Jamie on edge. Adding to the mayhem, a determined police officer is hot on their trail, investigating the various incidents Nan leaves in her wake. These present-day escapades are punctuated by flashbacks that provide context to Nan’s past.

Unraveling Nan’s Wartime Past
Interspersed with the present-day chaos are extensive flashback sequences set in 1940s London. These scenes delve into the formative years of a young Joan Taylor (Nan) and her sister Nell, revealing the events and betrayals that led to their bitter estrangement. The flashbacks highlight the sisters’ relationship during World War II, shedding light on the deep-seated grievances that have separated them for so long. This historical context is crucial for understanding Nan’s character and the origins of her complicated personality.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Nan (Catherine Tate): The foul-mouthed and recalcitrant elderly woman who reluctantly embarks on a chaotic road trip to visit her estranged sister.
- Jamie (Mathew Horne): Nan’s long-suffering grandson who attempts to reunite her with her estranged sister on a wild cross-country journey.
- Nell (Katherine Parkinson): Nan’s estranged and dying sister, whose impending death prompts Nan and Jamie’s road trip.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Nan: “How very dare you!” – Her signature catchphrase, often used to express outrage or feigned shock at perceived slights or rude behaviour from others.
- Nan: “What a load of shite!” – A common exclamation from Nan, used to dismiss something she finds to be nonsense, ridiculous, or completely unsatisfactory.
- Nan: “You come up and see me, ain’t ‘cha.” – A sarcastic remark delivered by Nan, typically used to mock or challenge someone, often Jamie, in a confrontational way.
- Nan: “Honestly, Jamie, you’re about as much use as a chocolate teapot!” – Said by Nan to her grandson Jamie, expressing her profound frustration and disdain for his perceived incompetence or lack of helpfulness.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $2,167,020
💥 The Nan Movie Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into ‘The Nan Movie’ with pretty low expectations, mainly because turning a sketch character into a full film can be risky. But honestly, I had such a blast! I was laughing out loud from start to finish, especially during that absolutely wild rave scene – who knew Nan had those moves? It wasn’t just about the laughs though; I was genuinely surprised by the emotional depth, especially in the flashback sequences which gave Nan’s character so much more heart. Yes, some bits were a bit daft and the animation was a choice, but for a good old British laugh and a surprisingly touching story, I’d totally recommend it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of ‘The Catherine Tate Show’ and the Nan character”
- “Viewers who enjoy British comedy with a crude, irreverent style”
- “Those looking for a lighthearted road trip movie with a surprising emotional core”
- “Audiences who appreciate a blend of slapstick humor and heartwarming family drama”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language and frequent expletives”
- “Crude and toilet humor”
- “Mild drug references/implied use (rave scene)”
- “Some non-PC jokes and themes”
Professional Reviews
- Film Weekly: “While Catherine Tate clearly gives her all, ‘The Nan Movie’ struggles to stretch a sketch character into a feature-length film. The humor often falls flat, relying on predictable gags and an oddly disjointed narrative. The attempts at a heartwarming backstory feel at odds with the character’s typical outrageousness, making for an uneven viewing experience.
- The Daily Screen: “For fans of Catherine Tate’s iconic Nan, this film delivers exactly what you’d expect: a barrage of expletives, inappropriate comments, and genuine laughs. While the plot is undeniably chaotic and the animated sequences are questionable, the core performances, especially Tate’s, carry it through. It’s a silly, feel-good romp with an unexpected emotional core that will surely please its devoted fanbase.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers adored the unexpected blend of Nan’s crude humor with a surprisingly heartwarming backstory.: The film provided continuous laughs and delivered the outrageous comedy fans love, while also offering unexpected emotional moments.
The wild road trip antics, particularly the rave scene, were often cited as laugh-out-loud highlights.: Audiences appreciated Catherine Tate’s committed performance and the film’s ability to provide pure escapist fun despite its flaws.
Overall Consensus: A divisive film, ‘The Nan Movie’ splits critics but largely entertains its target audience with its signature crude humor, chaotic road trip, and a surprisingly heartfelt origin story.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The first cut of the film, delivered to investors in 2019, initially focused predominantly on scenes set in 1940s London, following a young Joan Taylor. Investors reportedly felt uncomfortable with the emphasis on World War II and insisted on significantly reducing the flashback sequences to incorporate more of the present-day plot featuring the elderly Joan Taylor, whom fans of The Catherine Tate Show would recognize. As a result, new footage expanding the modern-day road trip was filmed at a low cost without original director Josie Rourke, leading to her director’s credit being removed from the released cut of the film.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Nan Movie?
As a theatrical release from 2022, ‘The Nan Movie’ is typically available for digital purchase or rental. You can find it on major platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. For viewers in the United Kingdom, it may also become available on subscription streaming services over time. Check your preferred platform for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Nan Movie, you might like these similar films:
- The Inbetweeners Movie (2011): A direct comparison as it’s another highly successful British comedy film spun off from a popular TV series, featuring a chaotic road trip and a blend of crude and relatable humour.
- Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie (2014): Similar in its nature as a big-screen adaptation of a popular British TV character known for foul-mouthed, slapstick comedy often involving family dynamics and a boisterous matriarch.
- Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013): Appeals to fans of British character-driven comedy, taking a beloved TV persona and crafting a feature-length narrative around their established quirks and cringe-worthy humor.
- Finding Your Feet (2017): Explores themes of an older woman finding new life and adventure, albeit with a softer, more heartwarming tone, appealing to the ‘journey of discovery’ aspect while still offering British humour.
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011): Features an ensemble cast of British pensioners seeking adventure and new experiences, balancing comedy with heartfelt moments, which may appeal to those who enjoy the intergenerational and journey aspects of ‘The Nan Movie’.
🛒 The Nan Movie Related Products
- The Nan Movie: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Relive Nan’s hilarious and heartwarming journey with this special collector’s edition Blu-ray, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and an interview with Catherine Tate and Mathew Horne.
- Nan’s Rude & Crude Wisdom: The Official T-Shirt: Show your love for Britain’s most outspoken nan with this comfortable cotton T-shirt featuring a classic Nan quote. Available in various sizes.
- Nan’s Road Trip Ruckus: The Mobile Game: Join Nan and Jamie on their chaotic road trip in this hilarious mobile adventure game! Navigate wacky obstacles, outrun the police, and complete outrageous mini-games inspired by the movie’s craziest moments.
- Catherine Tate’s Nan Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure: Add the iconic, grumpy yet loveable Nan to your Funko Pop! collection. This detailed vinyl figure captures her signature scowl and classic attire, making it a must-have for fans.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Nan Movie features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “We’ll Meet Again” – performed by Vera Lynn
- “Insomnia” – performed by Faithless
- “Don’t Stop Me Now” – performed by Queen
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘The Nan Movie’ is a British adventure comedy film where the character Nan (Catherine Tate) embarks on a wild road trip with her grandson Jamie to reunite with her estranged, dying sister Nell. The journey is filled with chaotic antics and flashbacks to Nan’s past.
Yes, ‘The Nan Movie’ is a spin-off feature film based on the popular character ‘Nan’ (Joanie Taylor) from ‘The Catherine Tate Show’. It expands on the character’s backstory and personality, transitioning her from sketch comedy to a full-length narrative.
The film stars Catherine Tate as Nan, Mathew Horne as her grandson Jamie, and Katherine Parkinson as Nan’s estranged sister, Nell. Other notable cast members include Rosalie Craig as Nan’s Mum and Paul Reid as Nan’s Dad in the flashback sequences.
‘The Nan Movie’ is rated 15 in the UK. It features foul-mouthed language, crude humor, and mature themes, consistent with the Nan character’s established persona. It is not recommended for younger viewers or those sensitive to strong language and adult situations.
The original director, Josie Rourke, had her director’s credit removed from the final cut of ‘The Nan Movie’. This was reportedly due to disagreements with investors who wanted to significantly reduce the focus on the 1940s flashback scenes and expand the present-day road trip plot. New footage for the modern-day sections was filmed without Rourke, leading to her disassociation from the released version.
🔥 Bonus Content
Joannie ‘Nan’ Taylor Leaves The Women In Stitches In HILARIOUS Interview About Her New Movie | LW
Ever wondered what it’s like to interview Nan herself? This hilarious clip from Loose Women features Catherine Tate in character, chatting about ‘her new movie’ and it’s absolutely brilliant. Get ready for some classic Nan antics and a good laugh!
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