‘A harrowing tale of religion and a patriarchal society’

Women Talking – Sarah Polley – 2022

This film is not what you expect, the trailer can seem rather misleading as it felt rather story based, when actually this is an art house conversational piece, which unfortunately lead to some quite sour reviews. However if you give this film a chance, I am sure you will understand the reasoning.

This ensemble piece is a fascinating study on the conversation of consent, abuse and a group of religious women having no right within their own society.

The film was so intriguing as it was mainly just set in a barn, watching three generations of this unknown religious group discussing as previously stated consent and how they had been abused due to the lack of understanding and empathy within the male cohort in their religion. What should they do: stay and fight or pack and leave and be shunned.

The film had some disturbing scenes about abortion and even incest rape, but what was clever was just hearing the emotion within their voices and seeing the effect it has had on all their lives, from loosing 13 children to having constant panic attacks and even becoming more masculine and refusing to talk.

This stellar cast consists of Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Frances Mcdormand and Ben Whishaw, who are all incredible and portray such realistic emotions, that you forget you are watching a film.

Sarah Polley (Director) really has portrayed the shocking battle that no women should go through, however unfortunately did and still do.

8/10 🍿