Promising Young Woman (2020)
Kernel Score: 84% · 3,614 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Thriller, Crime, Drama
Released: 2020-12-13
Runtime: 114 minutes
Is Promising Young Woman worth watching?
Worth watching. A woman targets men who prey on others, and the film mixes bright pop style with a very dark story. Carey Mulligan is excellent. It's provocative and sharply made, but the tone swerves can unsettle.
Watch it if you
- like dark thrillers with a point to make
- enjoy a strong lead performance
- want something bold and unsettling
Skip it if you
- want a straightforward revenge thriller
- are sensitive to sexual-assault themes
Best for: Solo night in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Promising Young Woman
- Stream: Peacock, YouTube TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who crossed her path.
Promising Young Woman parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Promising Young Woman is an R-rated revenge thriller centered on sexual assault and predatory men.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Contains disturbing revenge-thriller violence and tense confrontations with predators.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — Centers on sexual assault themes, predatory men, and rape-and-revenge plot elements.
- Language: Moderate — Contains strong language typical of an R-rated thriller.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Promising Young Woman
If you liked Promising Young Woman, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Saltburn (2023) — 81%: Another stylish, darkly funny thriller from a sharp female-led era of filmmaking.
- Cape Fear (1991) — 84%: Menacing revenge thriller with a dangerously intense central duel.
- Joker (2019) — 92%: Character-driven descent into dark, uncomfortable territory.
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — 89%: Smart thriller with a memorable central performance.
- Funny Games (1997) — 81%: Deeply unsettling, provocative thriller that plays with audience expectation.
- The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) — 77%: Cold, disturbing story about revenge and moral debts.
Director
Cast
- Carey Mulligan as Cassandra
- Bo Burnham as Ryan
- Alison Brie as Madison
- Clancy Brown as Stanley
- Jennifer Coolidge as Susan
- Laverne Cox as Gail
- Chris Lowell as Al Monroe
- Molly Shannon as Mrs. Fisher
- Connie Britton as Dean Walker
- Adam Brody as Jerry
Promising Young Woman FAQ
Is Promising Young Woman worth watching?
Worth watching. A woman targets men who prey on others, and the film mixes bright pop style with a very dark story. Carey Mulligan is excellent. It's provocative and sharply made, but the tone swerves can unsettle.
Where can I watch Promising Young Woman?
In the US you can stream Promising Young Woman on Peacock and YouTube TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Promising Young Woman OK for kids?
Promising Young Woman is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Promising Young Woman is an R-rated revenge thriller centered on sexual assault and predatory men.
What movies are like Promising Young Woman?
If you liked Promising Young Woman, try Saltburn, Cape Fear, Joker and The Silence of the Lambs.