[2] Indiana loner 17-year-old Ziggy Katz is a high school student who performs original folk-rock songs for an adoring online fan base.

The next morning, Ziggy asks his mother to give him a ride to school, and inquires how he can learn to "be political" to impress Lila, and she scoffs, saying he doesn't really care about the causes.

The website's consensus reads: "Its characters may be hard to take, but When You Finish Saving the World makes some cogent sociopolitical points.

[20] Anthony Lane of The New Yorker wrote "Twitching with the same unease that characterizes his performances, Eisenberg’s directorial début is taut with unhappiness but allows itself to be funny.

"[21] Stephanie Zacharek of Time wrote "Eisenberg is a thoughtful filmmaker, devoted to showing his characters as multi-dimensional, flawed human beings.

[23] Ross Bonaime of Collider wrote "When You Finish Saving the World is often acidic to a point that might scare away some, but at its core, Eisenberg’s film is an endearing story of mother and son who were once so close, and now struggle to get what they need from each other anymore.

[25] David Ehrlich of IndieWire wrote "Eisenberg's first movie behind the camera splits the difference between Noah Baumbach and Miranda July in a way that still allows his own voice to break through.

"[26] In contrast, Benjamin Lee of The Guardian wrote, "As a first-time director, Eisenberg is at least refreshingly restrained and gimmick-avoidant (this does not look like an A24-funded debut movie), but as a writer with some experience, albeit on stage and on the page, it feels a little anemic.

"[27] Robert Adele of Los Angeles Times wrote "As a micro case study about some acutely flawed 21st century strivers, When You Finish Saving the World has its well-turned moments, but when you want it to be gloriously messy about families and human interactions, it stays resolutely in lab mode.

"[28] Jeannette Catsoulis of The New York Times summarized "Eisenberg has already proven himself a smart wordsmith and a knowing performer of emotional unease, but this World is a disappointingly shallow tale of narcissism and negligence.