Moving On (2022) Review, Plot, and Meaning – Worth Watching

There’s something quietly thrilling about watching Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin reunite on screen—not for a lighthearted sitcom this time, but for a revenge comedy that asks a surprisingly serious question: can you truly move on without confronting the worst thing that ever happened to you? In Moving On (2022), director Paul Weitz gives these two legends the space to explore that tension, with a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 70% that suggests critics found the mixture uneven but the performances irresistible, and this article walks you through the film’s plot, its connection to Grace and Frankie, the meaning behind the phrase, and related media.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%  
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10  
Metacritic Score: 57/100  
Release Date: March 17, 2023  
Director: Paul Weitz  
Starring: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Malcolm McDowell

Seven key facts about Moving On across film, TV, and music:

Is the movie Moving on worth watching?

Critical reception overview

Critics were divided but broadly positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, 70% of 44 reviews approved (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)), while Metacritic calculated a weighted score of 57 out of 100 (Metacritic (review aggregator)). The consensus praises the leading duo but notes the plot leans on familiar beats.

Pros and cons from reviews

Audience vs critic scores

IMDb users gave it a 6.2/10 (IMDb (film database)), slightly below the critic aggregates. The gap suggests general audiences found the tone harder to embrace than reviewers did.

The implication: Fonda and Tomlin’s chemistry makes even a flawed film worth watching, especially for fans of their previous work.

What is the plot of the movie moving on?

Main storyline overview

Two estranged women in their seventies, Claire (Jane Fonda) and Evelyn (Lily Tomlin), reunite at the funeral of their mutual friend Joyce. Claire reveals she intends to kill Joyce’s widower, Howard (Malcolm McDowell), for an unspeakable act he committed decades earlier (IMDb (film database)).

Howard’s secret and its impact on Claire

The film later discloses that Howard sexually assaulted Claire when they were younger. Claire kept quiet to protect Joyce, but the trauma shaped her entire life. The revelation reframes the revenge plot as a confrontation with buried pain (WeLiveEntertainment (film review outlet)).

The revenge plan

Evelyn, a jaded cellist, initially refuses but eventually joins Claire. Their mission is complicated by Claire’s ex-husband (Richard Roundtree), who appears and adds emotional layers. The plan culminates in a tense confrontation at Howard’s home.

The catch: Claire’s quest for closure risks becoming an obsession, and the film leaves viewers wondering whether revenge truly brings peace.

Is Moving On related to Grace and Frankie?

Connection through cast

Yes and no. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin starred together in all seven seasons of Grace and Frankie on Netflix (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). Their on-screen rapport in Moving On naturally evokes that series, but the film is not a spin-off or sequel.

Different creative teams

Grace and Frankie was created by Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris. Moving On was written and directed by Paul Weitz (Wikipedia (open encyclopedia)). The tone is darker, the stakes higher.

Tonal differences

• Grace and Frankie: lighthearted comedy-drama about later-life reinvention.
• Moving On: dark comedy-drama about confronting sexual assault and aging rage.

The implication: if you loved the duo’s comic timing, you’ll appreciate their range here, but expect far fewer laughs.

What is the meaning of moving on?

Dictionary definition

Merriam-Webster defines “move on” as “to go on to a different place, situation, or activity” (Merriam-Webster (dictionary)). In common usage, it implies leaving behind a relationship or circumstance.

Idiomatic usage in relationships

The phrase dominates breakup advice and self-help literature. Psychologists note that “moving on” often requires processing grief or trauma (Psychology Today (mental health publication)). The film challenges the simplistic notion that one can simply “move on” without addressing the cause of pain.

Cultural contexts

Moving On the film, the BBC series, and the Kodaline song each use the phrase to frame a decisive break from the past—whether through revenge, life changes, or heartbreak.

The pattern: each cultural iteration redefines “moving on” as an active, often painful choice rather than passive acceptance.

Is there a British TV series called Moving On?

Yes, Moving On is a BBC One anthology series created by Jimmy McGovern (BBC One (broadcaster)). It first aired in 2009 and each episode tells a standalone story about ordinary people at a crossroads.

Series overview

• Creator: Jimmy McGovern (known for Cracker, The Street)
• Network: BBC One
• Format: Anthology – different cast each episode
• Themes: Life changes, decisions, and second chances

Availability

Episodes are available on BBC iPlayer in the UK. The series has no formal connection to the 2022 film beyond the shared name.

The pattern: both the film and the TV series treat “moving on” as a moment of moral or emotional reckoning, each in their own genre.

Specifications: Moving On (2022 film)

Moving On runs 85 minutes with an R rating. Here’s a rapid look at its profile:

Confirmed and unclear facts

Confirmed facts

• Moving On (2022) has 70% Rotten Tomatoes score (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
• Howard sexually assaulted Claire (YouTube review (spoiler analysis))
• The BBC series is a Jimmy McGovern anthology (BBC One (broadcaster))
• Kodaline’s “Moving On” single released in 2015 (Spotify (music streaming))

What’s unclear

• Exact box office – limited release makes figures unreliable
• Whether a sequel is in development
• If the Kodaline song was inspired by personal experience

Key quotes

“The Rotten Tomatoes critics consensus calls it ‘an uneven but well-acted comedy-drama that benefits from its stars’ enduring chemistry.'”

Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus

“Working with Lily again is like slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes – except the shoes are plotting murder.”

Jane Fonda in a press interview

“The series ‘Moving On’ is about people at that moment in their lives when they have to make a decision that will change everything.”

Jimmy McGovern, creator of the BBC series

For more on themes of grief and moving forward, see the cast of After Life, and how Dear Evan Hansen handles confronting painful truths.

Summary

The 2022 film Moving On is unlikely to redefine dark comedy, but it gives Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin a platform to explore older age, trauma, and the messy reality of closure. For fans of the duo looking for something with more bite than Grace and Frankie, the choice is clear: rent it and let the final scene sit with you. Fonda and Tomlin’s performances ensure that even when the pace tests your patience, the emotional payoff lands.

Frequently asked questions