Women Talking (2022)
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A group of Mennonite women must decide their collective future after discovering the men of their isolated community have been using tranquilizers to assault the women.
The story
Set in 2010, the film follows a group of women in an isolated Mennonite colony who discover that the men in their community have been using a livestock tranquilizer to subdue and rape them. After the attackers are imprisoned, the women are left alone for two days to determine how they will proceed. They hold a plebiscite to decide whether to stay and do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. The film focuses on their deliberations and the internal conflicts that arise as they weigh the safety of their children, their faith, and their personal freedom against the traditions of their community.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Set in 2010, the film begins with a woman discovering she has been raped by men in her isolated Mennonite colony who used tranquilizers. The men are imprisoned, and the women are left alone for two days to decide their future. They hold a plebiscite, which results in a tie between staying and fighting, and leaving. Eleven women gather in a hayloft to reach a final decision, assisted by the colony's schoolteacher, August, who records the meeting. The group debates the merits of staying to fight for equality or leaving for safety and freedom. While some women, like Salome, initially want to fight, they eventually reconsider based on their faith. Ultimately, the women decide to leave, taking children under a certain age. They prepare to leave at sunrise, keeping their plans secret from the men. Before departing, Salome uses tranquilizers to ensure her son joins them. August, who has long harbored feelings for one of the women, remains behind to teach the boys. The film ends with a glimpse of a new life for the women and their children.
- First release year
- 2022
- Runtime (minutes)
- 104
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Sarah Polley
- Writers
- Sarah Polley · writer
- Cast and characters
- Rooney Mara; Claire Foy; Jessie Buckley; Judith Ivey; Ben Whishaw; Frances McDormand
- Genres
- drama
- Themes
- sisterhood; faith; autonomy; resistance
- Tone and mood
- somber; tense; poignant
- Premise and plot tags
- period piece; religious community; ensemble cast; social commentary
- Source material / true-story basis
- the 2018 novel by Miriam Toews
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, praising the performances, screenplay, and direction, though it was noted as a box-office failure.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 90% · scale: percentage · review count: 296; Metacritic · score: 77 · scale: 100 · review count: 47
- Awards and nominations
- Silver Medallion Tribute Award · Telluride Film Festival · win; Best Adapted Screenplay · Academy Awards · 2023 · win; Best Adapted Screenplay · Critics' Choice Awards · 2023 · win; Best Adapted Screenplay · Writers Guild of America Awards · 2023 · win; Best Picture · Academy Awards · 2023 · nomination; Best Original Score · Golden Globe Awards · 2023 · nomination; Best Screenplay · Golden Globe Awards · 2023 · nomination; Best Ensemble Cast of a Motion Picture · Screen Actors Guild Awards · 2023 · nomination; Best Direction in a Feature Film · Directors Guild of Canada · 2023 · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was the last released by United Artists Releasing before it was folded into MGM.; The film was originally scheduled for a limited release on December 2, 2022, but was moved to December 23 to avoid competition with Avatar: The Way of Water.; The costume designer used fabric and prayer coverings from an actual Mennonite community store.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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