Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick Star in Lauren Miller Rogen's Personal TIFF Premiere 'Babies'

Key points

• The film 'Babies' premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 12, 2026.
• Written and directed by Lauren Miller Rogen, the movie stars Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick as a married couple, Aaron and Annie, who are deciding whether to have children.
• The plot is inspired by real events, including a friend and her daughter moving in with the Rogens for a year and Miller Rogen’s mother’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s.
• The film features a supporting cast including Kate Berlant, Dan Stevens, Issa Rae, and Zach Cherry, and has a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes.
• Seth Rogen described the project as 'shocking how personal' and noted that it portrays a healthy marriage without traditional conflict, which is rare in film.
• Anna Kendrick noted the challenge of playing a character who is more emotionally evolved than herself, requiring vulnerability and earnestness.

Background

Lauren Miller Rogen and Seth Rogen have been a public couple for over 20 years, often fielding media questions about their decision not to have children. The couple previously co-founded the nonprofit Hilarity for Charity in 2012 to support families affected by Alzheimer’s, a disease that affected Miller Rogen’s mother, who passed away in 2020. This film follows their earlier collaborative work, such as the 2012 film 'For a Good Time, Call…', where Miller Rogen also played a fictionalized version of herself.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline’s review by Glenn Garner praised 'Babies' as a 'witty, heartfelt exploration of childless adulthood,' highlighting the chemistry between Rogen and Kendrick and the film’s balanced critique of parenthood. Vanity Fair emphasized the personal origins of the script, noting that Miller Rogen began developing the idea in 2021 and wrote the final script in early 2025. The Hollywood Reporter focused on Seth Rogen’s comments about the film’s honesty and the rarity of depicting a conflict-free marriage. The Los Angeles Times covered the cast’s interview at the TIFF, highlighting the authenticity of the Los Angeles locations and the supportive dynamic between the characters. All sources agree on the film’s personal nature and its focus on the choice to remain child-free, but they differ in emphasis: Deadline focuses on the comedic and emotional balance, Vanity Fair on the real-life inspirations, and The Hollywood Reporter on the cultural commentary regarding parenthood.

Why it matters

The film addresses a growing cultural conversation about the choice to remain child-free, offering a nuanced perspective that challenges traditional narratives about parenthood. It also highlights the personal and professional dynamics of a high-profile couple, providing insight into how real-life experiences can shape cinematic storytelling. The film’s success at TIFF and its upcoming 2027 release could influence public discourse on family planning and the validity of child-free lifestyles.

What to watch

The film is scheduled for a theatrical release in 2027. Audiences can expect a deeper look at the characters' decisions and the impact of their choices on their relationships and lives. The film’s success at TIFF may lead to further discussions about the representation of child-free couples in media.