Adapted from Sharon M. Draper’s 2010 novel of the same name, ‘Out of My Mind’ is a new Disney original coming-of-age film helmed by Amber Sealey (No Man of God). The charming film follows Melody, a girl with cerebral palsy as she navigates her youth with friends, family, and romances.
‘Out of My Mind’ had its world premiere earlier this year at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
The film stars Phoebe-Rae Taylor, Rosemarie DeWitt, Luke Kirby, Michael Chernus, Courtney Taylor along with Judith Light; and also features Jennifer Aniston voicing Melody’s inner voice.
Release Date
In partnership with World Cerebral Palsy Day, celebrated on Oct. 6., Disney announced that Out of My Mind debuts on Disney+ on November 22, 2024.
Synopsis
Melody Brooks, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy, has a quick wit and a sharp mind, but because she is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair, she is not given the same opportunities as her classmates. When a young educator notices her student’s untapped potential and Melody starts to participate in mainstream education, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.
“I remember early on in my research phase, the Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity, they did do a lot of asking people with disabilities, like, what do you want to see more?” Director Amber Sealey said in TheWrap‘s Sundance inclusivity panel. “What largely came out of that was people with disabilities wanted to see movies that centered on them as human beings and not just on their disability.”
Reviews
Cortland Jacoby in a Punch Drunk Critics review praised the film, writing, “While not a perfect depiction of disability representation, Out of My Mind is accessible for children and a good start to show how those who are differently abled have the same wants and fears as everyone else. Phoebe-Rae Taylor gives a knockout and endearing performance you can’t look away from. In terms of representation, you can’t get better than that.”
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for ‘Out Of My Mind.’