PFF31 Review: She Said

SHE SAID (2022) (PFF31)

Deeply troubling, yet expertly acted, She Said is a must-see film that takes viewers behind the headlines and celebrates the both the women who came forward to share their experiences and those that stopped at nothing to tell their story.

She Said follows two New York Times Reporters (played by Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan) as they investigate claims of sexual misconduct against entertainment mogul Harvey Weinstein, ultimately leading to a published story that would catapult the #MeToo movement onto everyone’s radar. Mulligan and Kazan are both outstanding with award-worthy performances, the former bringing a raw intensity to the team while the latter displays unparalleled determination. Based on the book of the same name, She Said dives deep into the accounts of the women central to the eventual story with care and patience, allowing each interaction to play out in genuine fashion. If there ever was a film that deserved the label of a slow burn, it would be this one, but the payoff is sensational; I choked up in the final minutes at the importance of the achievement.

She Said gives you a look at how the newspaper business works, something that Spotlight did, as well. Through the performances of Mulligan and Kazan, the audience is absorbed into the magnitude of the undertaking, the film playing out like a real life drama. Director Maria Schrader follows each and every beat of the story, not cutting corners. The cinematography is quick and intense, the stakes growing higher with each and every scene. In the end, She Said depicts a snapshot in time, an important step in the movement for justice for so many who have been victimized, and everyone involved knows that. She Said is an empowering film that will enrage many, disgust most, and satisfy all as one of the best films of the year.

She Said hits theaters Friday.

Rating: 5/5