Promising Young Woman

2020

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 263 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 263 Ratings

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Promising Young Woman (US Trailer 2)

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Movie Details & Credits

Focus Features | Release Date: December 25, 2020 | R

Starring: Adam Brody, Alison Brie, Angela Zhou, Bo Burnham, Carey Mulligan, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverne Cox, Molly Shannon, Ray Nicholson, Sam Richardson, Steve Monroe, Timothy E. Goodwin

Summary: Everyone said Cassie (Carey Mulligan) was a promising young woman... until a mysterious event abruptly derailed her future. But nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be: she’s wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she’s living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance toEveryone said Cassie (Carey Mulligan) was a promising young woman... until a mysterious event abruptly derailed her future. But nothing in Cassie’s life is what it appears to be: she’s wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she’s living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs of the past.… Expand

Director: Emerald Fennell

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

100

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Apr 15, 2021

Writer-director Emerald Fennell (a showrunner for TV’s Killing Eve) lands a stiletto jab with her feature debut, and Carey Mulligan is demurely brilliant as the appropriately named Cassandra. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Jan 14, 2021

Writer-director-producer Emerald Fennell (who is also an actor and plays Camilla Parker Bowles on “The Crown”) delivers a sensational first feature film with this well-crafted, bold, visually stunning and emotionally resonant gem. Read full review

Leah Greenblatt

Jan 27, 2020

As satire, Woman‘s first two acts are fun but broad: a winky, wildly stylized slice of girl-powered revenge porn. And Mulligan, who’s always given smart, delicately shaded performances in movies like Far from the Madding Crowd and An Education (she was great in 2018’s underseen Wildlife) is an entirely different animal here: furious, damaged, ferociously funny. Read full review

Katie Rife

Dec 15, 2020

Promising Young Woman fancies itself edgy, and relishes complicating the catharsis of something like the scene where Cassandra smashes some douchebag’s windshield with a tire iron after he yells at her on the road. But while the craft of the film is top-notch, and the writing razor-sharp, its nihilistic point of view isn’t as unprecedented as Fennell seems to think it is. Read full review

Justin Chang

Dec 23, 2020

The grimly multitasking finale of Promising Young Woman feels both audacious and uncertain of itself, as Fennell tries to meld a cackle of delight and a blast of fury, with a lingering residue of anguish. It doesn’t all come together, though there’s an undeniable thrill in seeing it come apart. Read full review

Siddhant Adlakha

Apr 19, 2021

Mulligan’s raw portrayal of a woman trapped by invisible walls is certainly powerful — she keeps the film afloat even when it falters — and the way Fennell gives human form to those walls imbues the film with a simmering rage. However, these handful of strengths are hardly enough to render its other failings moot. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Dec 18, 2020

The narrative is telegraphic rather than dramatic, with story points ticked off like bullet points, and the actors (excluding Ms. Mulligan, once again) act mainly for the camera, as if they aren’t sure their leaden emphasis is weighty enough. The intended tone is darkly comic, but the supporting cast isn’t sufficiently skillful to sustain it. Read full review

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User Reviews

Rebecca31

Sep 28, 2021

Haunted by an event in her past, Cassie (Carey Mulligan) seeks revenge on those who crossed her path. Cassie was on her way to becoming a successful doctor when a tragic event in her past completely derailed her future. Cassie now lives a secret double life, venturing out at night to a barHaunted by an event in her past, Cassie (Carey Mulligan) seeks revenge on those who crossed her path. Cassie was on her way to becoming a successful doctor when a tragic event in her past completely derailed her future. Cassie now lives a secret double life, venturing out at night to a bar or nightclub pretending to be so drunk she can barely stand. While in her apparent vulnerable state she is on the prowl for potential predators who can't resist the temptation to "help" Cassie in her incredibly intoxicated condition, but after an unexpected encounter she now has a chance for revenge. Emerald Fennell's directorial debut and she really has given us a film that packs a huge emotional impact and leaves a long lasting impression. A brilliant screenplay with stunning visuals, I can't wait to see what Fennell does next.

Promising Young Woman is definitely one you'll be thinking about long after the credits have ended. From the opening scene you're immediately plunged into a constant state of unease. There's a growing sense of impending disaster building the entire time. The film itself is tackling a lot of sensitive topics but handles it very well. Swiftly moving from darkly comedic to uncomfortable to watch at times. It's shocking, and sure to provoke some strong emotions from everyone. Not only is film an expertly told revenge story but Carey Mulligan's performance is truly stunning. This part was made for her and she completely disappears into the character of Cassandra. A terrifyingly tense revenge thriller that everyone should see. Many of you have probably already seen Promising Young Woman and if you haven't it's highly recommended.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

recoil9

Jan 14, 2021

This film is genius; heartbreaking, uncomfortable viewing. Carey Mulligan's performance is the standout for the last 12 months. The movie inverts the trope of 'a wronged man' who becomes a hero by avenging his friends killed or wronged by generic evildoers. Everything from Batman to MarvelThis film is genius; heartbreaking, uncomfortable viewing. Carey Mulligan's performance is the standout for the last 12 months. The movie inverts the trope of 'a wronged man' who becomes a hero by avenging his friends killed or wronged by generic evildoers. Everything from Batman to Marvel soars to this generic idea of the transformation of a person from the everyday type to a hero through revenge and vengeance. But here the payoff is painful, the lead character Cassie portrayed as mentally imbalanced, wildly inappropriate, suffering PTSD, sexy, funny, hopeful, and the proverbial loose cannon. As a first film, it's incredible. You love Cassie then you loathe Casie, then you understand her. Don't miss it!… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

katezoe

Feb 7, 2021

MUST WATCH! Film went beyond all expectations. Great performance by Carey Mulligan and come Oscar time a nomination and maybe winner as Best Actress. Other Oscar nominations to Emerald Fennell in Director and Screenplay categories..pitch perfect black comedy, drama and commentary on society.

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

everett

Mar 17, 2021

Brilliant acting, writing and directing come together in what will hopefully be a landmark cautionary tale and wake-up call for our times. Courageous in being as disturbing as it needed to be, with well-drawn characters, sharp dialogue, and - again - brilliant performances, Carey MulliganBrilliant acting, writing and directing come together in what will hopefully be a landmark cautionary tale and wake-up call for our times. Courageous in being as disturbing as it needed to be, with well-drawn characters, sharp dialogue, and - again - brilliant performances, Carey Mulligan first and foremost.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RationalRalph

Jan 13, 2021

Great acting but the movie never feels like it really gets going. One leaves the movie with conflicting emotions

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

DukeJon

Sep 6, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very powerful film with an excellent performance by Carey Mulligan. Starts off with our "heroine" hanging around bars and pretending to be blind drunk, she allows herself to be picked up by men and taken back to their apartments only to turn round and shame them when they start taking advantage of her. Entrapment, in other words. Odd that she can do this numerous times without getting a name for herself, being recognised whilst out or getting found out by her parents. The film is very lacking in realism at times, particularly the lack of consequences for Cassandra's actions. Then we head off on a disturbing revenge journey which involves ruining the lives of lots of people on the way who were in some way linked to the original rape incident. I didn't know who I was meant to be rooting for during this film, as nobody came out of it very well (particularly the men - who are all weak and pathetic). For a much better, and more realistic, treatment of this subject matter watch "The Accused" with Jodie Foster.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Bradh6886

Jan 15, 2021

Mulligan/Fennell are electric; Felt sick during credits. Ignores people fundamentally opposed to revenge. Tries so hard to justify character's questionable actions, which it knows are questionable. Ends don't justify means.

4 of 15 users found this helpful411

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