Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.

Director:

Sean Durkin

Writer:

Sean Durkin
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1,196 ( 629)
22 wins & 74 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elizabeth Olsen ... Martha
Christopher Abbott ... Max
Brady Corbet ... Watts
Hugh Dancy ... Ted
Maria Dizzia ... Katie
Julia Garner ... Sarah
John Hawkes ... Patrick
Louisa Krause ... Zoe
Sarah Paulson ... Lucy
Adam David Thompson ... Bartender (as Adam Thompson)
Allen McCullough ... Man in Home #2
Lauren Molina ... Cult Member
Louisa Braden Johnson Louisa Braden Johnson ... Cult Member
Tobias Segal ... Cult Member
Gregg Burton Gregg Burton ... Man in Home #1

Elizabeth Olsen Through the Years

Take a look back at Elizabeth Olsen's movie and TV career in photos.

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Storyline

Martha has run away from an abusive hippie-like cult where she was living as Marcy May for two years. She turns to her sister and brother-in-law who take her in and want to help her. The problem is Martha is having a hard time separating dreams from reality and when haunting memories of her past keep resurfacing, she may need more help than anyone is able to give her. Written by napierslogs

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Certificate:

M/16 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Sean Durkin offered the role directly to Sarah Paulson, being a fan on her work on Studio 60. See more »

Goofs

When Martha is sitting by the lake side her top changes colour from one shot to the next. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Watts: [as Martha runs away] Marcy! Marcy May! Where ya goin'?
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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.14 (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

Weekend Homes
Written by Christopher Abbott
Performed by Christopher Abbott
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User Reviews

 
good surprising performance
17 December 2014 | by SnoopyStyleSee all my reviews

Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) escapes from an abusive male-dominated communal cult where she lived as Marcy May. Her sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) eagerly takes her in. Lucy is married to Ted (Hugh Dancy). She has difficulties reintegrating into the world despite her sister's efforts. The movie flashes back occasionally to her time with the charismatic leader Patrick (John Hawkes).

It was my first time seeing Elizabeth Olsen act and it was quite a good surprise. Other than being the younger sister to the twins, I wasn't really expecting to see this mature performance. The story has very disturbing sections with her in the cult. It's uncomfortable which a good indie sometimes becomes. It does need to be more consistent with its intensity. It's a bit too slow in a few places.


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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 2012 (Portugal) See more »

Also Known As:

Martha Marcy May Marlene See more »

Filming Locations:

Livingston Manor, New York, USA See more »

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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$137,651, 23 October 2011

Gross USA:

$2,990,625

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,778,439
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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