Shirley (2020)

A famous horror writer finds inspiration for her next book after she and her husband take in a young couple.

Director:

Josephine Decker

Writers:

Sarah Gubbins (screenplay by), Susan Scarf Merrell (based on the book written by)

Stars:

Elisabeth Moss, Odessa Young, Michael Stuhlbarg

3 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elisabeth Moss	...	Shirley Jackson
Odessa Young	...	Rose Nemser / Paula
Michael Stuhlbarg	...	Stanley Hyman
Logan Lerman	...	Fred Nemser
Victoria Pedretti	...	Katherine
Robert Wuhl	...	Randy Fisher
Paul O'Brien	...	Dean
Orlagh Cassidy	...	Caroline
Bisserat Tseggai	...	Peggy
Allen McCullough	...	Norman
Tony Manna	...	Drunken Fellow
Molly Fahey	...	Faculty Wife (as Molly Elizabeth Fahey)
Edward O'Blenis	...	Ralph Ellison
Ryan Spahn	...	Drunk Cad
Vincent McCauley	...	Grad Student

Storyline

As renowned for her morose nature as she is for her horror fiction, writer Shirley Jackson (Elizabeth Moss) is crafting yet another masterpiece when the arrival of newlyweds Fred and Rose disrupt her creative process and marriage to literary critic - and philandering professor - Stanley Hyman (Michael Stuhlbarg). As Stanley spars to maintain academic dominance over his would-be protégé Fred, Rose attempts to dampen her own ambitions and adjust to married life while living under the roof of their fiery intellectual hosts with quicksilver loyalties and myriad neuroses. When the motives of Shirley's literary muse prove elusive, Rose's curiosity and trusting nature make her tender prey for a brilliant author whose only allegiance is to her work.

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Plot Keywords:

drink | drunkenness | lesbian subtext | unhappy marriage | pounding on a door | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, nudity, language and brief disturbing images

Did You Know?

Trivia

The missing Bennington College student referred to in the film was Paula Jean Welden who, while off campus, disappeared on December 1, 1946 while walking on Vermont's Long Trail hiking route.

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Goofs

The death cap mushrooms Shirley points to don't resemble death cap mushrooms at all, which are usually white and flat-capped. It's entirely possible this is another example of Shirley's psychological manipulation.

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Quotes

Shirley Jackson: [to Rose] Let's pray for a boy. The world is too cruel to girls.

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Connections

Featured in Chris Stuckmann Quick Movie Reviews: Guns Akimbo, Honey Boy, Da 5 Bloods, Becky, The Lovebirds & More! (2020)

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Soundtracks

Off The Record
Written and Performed by Walter Warren
Published by DeWolfe Ltd.
Courtesy of Riptide Music

User Reviews

Good actors can't save bad plot

As other reviews mentioned, it's a slow burn with not much happening. It's really much better depicted as a slow drama, certainly not a thriller. The characters are very unlikeable and while that's often written by design, it does very little to drive the plot forward.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 June 2020 (USA)

Also Known As:

Shirley

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$258,736

Company Credits

Production Co:

Los Angeles Media Fund (LAMF), Killer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1