The Magnificent Meyersons: Family Drama With Deaf Actors
Author: Argot Pictures
Published: 24 Jul 2021 - Updated: 8 Nov 2026
Publication Type: Announcement
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This information covers The Magnificent Meyersons, a 2021 independent drama written and directed by Evan Oppenheimer about a New York City family whose day is turned upside down by revelations at a family dinner. It outlines the story, the ensemble cast led by Kate Mulgrew and Richard Kind, and the casting of deaf actors Shoshannah Stern and Lauren Ridloff, and it places the film within research on disability representation, including Annenberg Inclusion Initiative findings and CDC data showing more than one in four U.S. adults has a disability. It is useful for film fans, deaf and disabled viewers and anyone interested in authentic casting.*
At a Glance
- 1 - The film runs about 88 minutes and is not rated.
- 2 - Selected theater screenings were closed captioned.
- 3 - The film premiered in New York on August 20, 2021, and in Los Angeles on August 27.
- 4 - Only 2.4 percent of speaking characters in the top 100 films of 2015 had a disability.
Topic Definition
- Authentic Representation
Authentic representation in film and television means portraying groups such as people with disabilities accurately and respectfully, ideally by casting actors who share the character's identity and involving people with that lived experience in writing and production. For disability it includes casting disabled actors in disabled roles and showing disabled characters as full, complex people rather than stereotypes.
Overview
The Magnificent Meyersons is a 2021 independent drama written and directed by Evan Oppenheimer about a New York City family whose ordinary day is upended by revelations at a family dinner. Its cast includes deaf actors Shoshannah Stern and Lauren Ridloff, and it was released with closed captioned screenings, making it a notable example of disability representation in film.
Disability on Screen
More than one in four U.S. adults, over 70 million people, reported having a disability in 2022 [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024]. Yet disabled people remain rare on screen. When the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative at the University of Southern California first counted characters with disabilities in the 100 top-grossing films of 2015, only 2.4 percent of speaking characters were shown with a disability [Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, n.d.]. The initiative tracks disability in popular films each year, and roles for disabled characters are still often played by actors without disabilities.
Films that cast disabled actors in their roles help change that picture, which is one reason The Magnificent Meyersons drew attention from disability audiences. More titles are listed in Disabled World's guide to films featuring disabilities.
The Story
The film follows an ordinary but complicated family over a single day. Terri, the matriarch, is an oncologist whose husband left the family years earlier, leaving her to raise four children: overachiever Roland; Daphne, who is struggling in her marriage; Daniel, a reluctant rabbinical student; and Susie, an ambitious young real estate agent in a relationship with Tammy. As conversations about faith, fate and meaning come to a head at a family dinner with an unexpected guest, the Meyersons must face old heartbreak and shifting loyalties and rethink what they believed was true.
Cast and Crew
The ensemble cast includes Kate Mulgrew as Terri, Richard Kind as her husband, Shoshannah Stern as Susie, Lauren Ridloff as Tammy, Daniel Eric Gold as Daniel, Ian Kahn as Roland, Jackie Burns as Daphne, Neal Huff, Melissa Errico and Barbara Barrie. Stern and Ridloff, both deaf, are known for roles in Supernatural and This Close, and in The Walking Dead, Eternals and Sound of Metal respectively.
- Drama, not rated, running time about 88 minutes.
- Written and directed by Evan Oppenheimer and produced by Evan Oppenheimer and Edward Schmidt.
- Co-producers Nerenda Eid and Carina Rush; director of photography Derek McKane; casting by Judy Henderson; editor Evan B. Wood; music by Daniel McCormack.
- Presented by Black Sand Pictures and distributed by Argot Pictures.
Release and Access
The film premiered in New York City on August 20, 2021, at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, and in Los Angeles on August 27 at the Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino, with virtual screenings offered through each venue. Selected theater showings were closed captioned. Viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing can look for captioned or subtitled versions when choosing where to watch.
Argot Pictures, founded by Jim Browne in 2005, has distributed independent films including Street Fight, Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock and Roll, Throw Down Your Heart, Crips and Bloods: Made in America and Big Sonia.
More on this topic: Film, Radio and TV Publications - Deafness and Hearing Loss Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)
Who are Shoshannah Stern and Lauren Ridloff?
They are deaf actors known for television and film work, including This Close and Supernatural for Stern, and The Walking Dead and Eternals for Ridloff.
How can deaf viewers find captioned films in theaters?
Many cinemas offer closed caption devices or open caption screenings. Check the theater website or ask the box office before buying tickets.
What is the difference between open and closed captions?
Open captions are shown on screen for everyone, while closed captions can be turned on or off or viewed on a personal device.
Why does it matter who plays disabled characters?
Casting disabled actors brings lived experience to the role, creates work for disabled performers and helps audiences see accurate portrayals.
What does the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative study?
It is a research group at the University of Southern California that measures representation in popular films and TV, including disability, gender and race.
How many Americans have a disability?
CDC data for 2022 show more than one in four U.S. adults, over 70 million people, reported having a disability.
Where can I find films with disability representation?
Disability film festivals, streaming service collections and guides from disability organizations list films featuring disabled characters and actors.
What is an ensemble cast?
An ensemble cast is a group of actors who share roughly equal importance in a story rather than one or two leads.
References
- Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. (n.d.). Disability [Research area]. University of Southern California.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, July 16). CDC data shows over 70 million U.S. adults reported having a disability [Press release].
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: When disabled characters do appear on screen, they are still often played by actors without disabilities, which is why casting deaf actors in roles where deafness is simply part of who a character is matters. The Magnificent Meyersons places that representation inside an ordinary family story about faith, loyalty and change rather than making disability the plot. For deaf and hard of hearing viewers, captioned screenings are just as important as who is on screen, and asking cinemas and streaming services for captioning helps make sure films like this reach the audiences they portray.*
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally issued as a press release by Argot Pictures and published on 24 Jul 2021. Last updated on 8 Nov 2026. This content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.
* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.