MOVIE PARTY IDEAS
A cozy, creative night built around Bernadette's life as a reclusive-but-brilliant architect and her unexpected journey toward Antarctica — think sketchbooks and drafting tools, Seattle coffee, small ‘Antarctic’ touches, and family-friendly snacks. The plan encourages creativity (an Architect's Corner), easy, themed food, and trivia that rewards attention to the film's concrete, verifiable details.
Party Setup
- Plan a 30–40 minute pre-show period: welcome drinks, a short ‘architecture sketch’ activity, and distribute trivia sheets.
- Screening: schedule the movie start so it finishes ~15–20 minutes before bedtime for younger guests (film runtime is ~1h49m).
- Set up an 'Architect's Corner' near the snacks with drafting tools and sketchbooks for a creative warm-up (see favors/decor).
- Run trivia in two rounds: 4 easy/medium questions during intermission or before the movie, 2 harder questions after credits.
- Reserve one clear flat surface for prizes and one for favors to be handed out as people arrive/leave.
Snack Attack
Nature Nate's raw honey (jar)
Bee/Balakrishna 'Bee' motif — natural honey as a sweet dip for cheeses, crackers or to add to tea; ties to the daughter's nickname and gentle family tone.
Estimated price: $10.00
Assorted artisan crackers (store pick)
Simple, crowd-pleasing accompaniment to honey and cheeses; keeps the snack table approachable and family-friendly.
Estimated price: $8.00
Smoked salmon (grocery/delicatessen)
Cold/seaside flavor nod to the film's maritime/Antarctic trip without being gimmicky; serve small portions on crackers with honey and dill.
Estimated price: $18.00
Blue rock candy sticks (extra-large, individually wrapped)
A second, themed sweet for the candy bowl that visually evokes icy-blue Antarctica; can double as drink stirrers.
Estimated price: $12.00
Sip & Screen
Starbucks Pike Place Roast (whole bean)
Seattle coffee ties to the film's Seattle setting and gives guests a warm, family-friendly beverage option during/after the movie.
Estimated price: $12.00
Blue rock candy sticks (party pack)
Use as playful 'Antarctic-blue' stirrers for punch or hot drinks — visually evokes ice/Antarctica without alcohol.
Estimated price: $12.00
Sparkling mineral water (variety)
Family-appropriate bubbly alternative for guests who want a festive, nonalcoholic option while watching the film.
Estimated price: $8.00
Set the Scene
Seattle skyline poster (wall art)
Sets the Seattle atmosphere of Bernadette's home and provides an immediate location cue for guests.
Estimated price: $15.00
Triangular architect scale ruler (12")
A small display or scatter on the 'Architect's Corner' to echo Bernadette's identity as an architect.
Estimated price: $12.00
Drafting compass set (professional-style)
Part of an 'Architect's Corner' prop set — authentic-looking drafting tools make the theme feel lived-in and specific.
Estimated price: $25.00
Penguin plush (13")
A single penguin plush or two placed near the snack table gives a friendly Antarctic nod without overdoing the gimmick.
Estimated price: $18.00
Blueprint-style table runner or kraft roll
Use as a table runner or underlay to reference Bernadette's blueprints and architectural past; simple, inexpensive, and visually effective.
Estimated price: $15.00
Take It Home
Moleskine Pocket Sketchbook
Bernadette is an architect/creative — a pocket sketchbook is both on-theme and genuinely useful for guests to sketch or jot ideas during the 'Architect's Corner' activity.
Estimated price: $10.00
Bee enamel pin (favor)
Small, on-theme memento tied to Bee's nickname—easy to hand out and family-friendly.
Estimated price: $6.00
Play to Win
Kaweco Classic Sport fountain pen (prize)
A tasteful prize that encourages sketching and creativity — fitting for a trivia winner on a movie about a creative, formerly celebrated architect.
Estimated price: $30.00
Moleskine large sketchbook (runner-up prize)
Alternate or runner-up prize: a larger sketchbook to inspire the winner to draw/build ideas—very on-theme to Bernadette's arc.
Estimated price: $18.00
Movie Trivia
Spoiler warning: Trivia may reveal plot details.
- Who plays Bernadette Fox in the 2019 film?
- Cate Blanchett
- Kristen Wiig
- Judy Greer
- Emma Nelson
Show answer
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett stars as the title character Bernadette Fox in the 2019 film adaptation.
- What is Bee's given name in the film (the name 'Bee' is a nickname)?
- Balakrishna
- Beatrice
- Bianca
- Brielle
Show answer
Balakrishna
Bernadette's daughter is called Balakrishna in full; she is nicknamed 'Bee' in the movie.
- What was Bernadette's profession before she withdrew from the public/architectural world?
- Architect
- Teacher
- Journalist
- Musician
Show answer
Architect
Bernadette is established in the film as a once-celebrated architect whose career and confidence are central to the story.
- Where is Bernadette ultimately found when she leaves home?
- A cruise ship in the Southern Ocean
- A remote cabin in Alaska
- Palmer Station (in Antarctica)
- A research base on Greenland
Show answer
Palmer Station (in Antarctica)
Late in the story Bernadette travels to and is found at Palmer Station, the Antarctic research station referenced in the film.
- In which U.S. city is Bernadette's family based during the film?
- Seattle
- Portland
- San Francisco
- Vancouver
Show answer
Seattle
The family home and most of the film's domestic scenes are set in Seattle, where Bernadette, Elgin (Elgie) and Bee live.
- Approximately how long is the theatrical running time of the film?
- 109 minutes
- 95 minutes
- 120 minutes
- 87 minutes
Show answer
109 minutes
The film's listed running time is about 109 minutes (approximately 1 hour 49 minutes).
- What is the first name of Bernadette's husband in the movie?
- Paul Branch
- Elgin 'Elgie' Branch
- Marcus Branch
- Henry Branch
Show answer
Elgin 'Elgie' Branch
Bernadette's husband is Elgin Branch, commonly called 'Elgie,' and is portrayed onscreen by Billy Crudup.
- Which actress plays Bee, Bernadette's daughter, in the film?
- Emma Nelson
- Judy Greer
- Kristen Wiig
- Troian Bellisario
Show answer
Emma Nelson
Emma Nelson makes her feature-film debut as Balakrishna 'Bee' Branch (the daughter), a detail noted in cast coverage of the movie.
- Who directed the 2019 film adaptation?
- Richard Linklater
- Wes Anderson
- Greta Gerwig
- Noah Baumbach
Show answer
Richard Linklater
Richard Linklater directed the 2019 movie adaptation; his name appears in the film's official credits.
- On which date did the film receive its U.S. theatrical release?
- August 16, 2019
- May 15, 2018
- December 25, 2019
- March 22, 2020
Show answer
August 16, 2019
The film was released in the U.S. in August 2019; the commonly cited wide release date is August 16, 2019.
Host Notes
- Run time & pacing: the movie is ~109 minutes. Plan about 2.5 hours total with pre-show activities and a short trivia break.
- Seating: position the 'Architect's Corner' at one side with a stack of the pocket sketchbooks and a few drafting rulers so guests can try quick five-minute sketches before the film.
- Food timing: set out coffee and warm drinks before showtime; have cold snacks and the cheese/cracker plate available pre-show and during credits.
- Trivia flow: announce two easy/mid questions during pre-show to warm people up, save the two hardest for after the credits — offer the fountain pen for the overall winner.
- Accessibility: offer both hot and cold beverage options, and label any snack that contains fish/nuts for guests with allergies.
- Kid-friendly: keep all beverage options nonalcoholic by default (sparkling water, coffee, tea). If you choose to offer wine or cocktails, serve them separately and clearly label them.