The Secret Life of Words (2005)
Kernel Score: 75% · 222 ratings · Rated NR
Genres: Romance, Drama
Released: 2005-12-15
Runtime: 115 minutes
Where to watch The Secret Life of Words
- Stream: Prime Video
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A solitary nurse bonds with a badly burned patient who survived an accident on an oil rig.
The Secret Life of Words parents' guide: ages 12+
Parents need to know that The Secret Life of Words follows a nurse bonding with a burn victim, touching on war crimes, torture, and loss.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — References war crimes and torture as part of the patient's backstory.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official NR rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Secret Life of Words
If you liked The Secret Life of Words, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- All My Life (2020) — 89%
- Doctor Zhivago (1965) — 87%
- Jane Eyre (2011) — 79%
- Flamin' Hot (2023) — 87%
- Breaking the Waves (1996) — 86%
- P.S. I Love You (2007) — 81%
- Written on the Wind (1956) — 74%
- The Secret: Dare to Dream (2020) — 81%
Director
Cast
- Sarah Polley as Hanna
- Tim Robbins as Josef
- Javier Cámara as Simon
- Danny Cunningham as Scott
- Dean Lennox Kelly as Liam
- Daniel Mays as Martin
- Eddie Marsan as Victor
- Steven Mackintosh as Dr. Sullitzer
- Julie Christie as Inge
- Emmanuel Idowu as Abdul
The Secret Life of Words FAQ
Is The Secret Life of Words good?
The Secret Life of Words has a 75% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 222 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Secret Life of Words?
In the US you can stream The Secret Life of Words on Prime Video, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Secret Life of Words OK for kids?
The Secret Life of Words is rated NR. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 12+. Parents need to know that The Secret Life of Words follows a nurse bonding with a burn victim, touching on war crimes, torture, and loss.
What movies are like The Secret Life of Words?
If you liked The Secret Life of Words, try All My Life, Doctor Zhivago, Jane Eyre and Flamin' Hot.