Herself (2021)
90%RT Audience Score: 84%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 10 nominations
Sensitively directed by Phyllida Lloyd and brought to life by co-writer Clare Dunne’s starring performance, Herself charts one woman’s journey with empathy and grace.
Herself” is the kind of movie that makes you want to stand up and cheer for the underdog. It’s a heartwarming story about a mother who refuses to let her abusive past define her future. The film strikes a perfect balance between hard-hitting reality and hopeful optimism, thanks to director Phyllidia Lloyd’s masterful touch. And while the subject matter is heavy, the movie never feels maudlin or sentimental. Instead, it’s a soulful and inspiring glimpse into the resilience of the human spirit. So grab some tissues and get ready to be moved by this female-driven, people-positive gem.
Production Company(ies)
M K2 Productions, C E D Productions, France 3 Cinéma
Distributor
Amazon Studios
Release Type
Streaming, Streaming (Prime Video), Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language and some domestic violence
Year of Release
2021
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:2.39 : 1
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Runtime:1h 37m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United Kingdom, Ireland
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Dec 30, 2020 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2021
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Clare Dunne, Harriet Walter, Conleth Hill, Cathy Belton, Rebecca O’Mara, Sean Duggan, Ciaran Crowley, Ian Lloyd Anderson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, written by Malcolm Campbell, Clare Dunne, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Mark Kermode, Donald Clarke, Simran Hans, Clarisse Loughrey, Charlotte O’Sullivan, Deborah Ross, Leigh Paatsch, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, DarkSkyLady, Sarah Cullen, Kate Muir, Aine O’Connor, produced by Rory Gilmartin, Ed Guiney, Sharon Horgan, MPAA rating R, single mother, abusive partner, temporary accommodation, self-building, affordable home, architect, land, building contractor, possessive ex, bureaucrats, independent spirit, domestic violence, language, English (United Kingdom), Dec 30 2020 Limited release, Jan 8 2021 streaming release, 1h 37m runtime, Amazon Studios, Scope (2.35:1) aspect ratio
Worldwide gross: $776,517
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $844,545
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,638
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 92,099
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Harriet Walter – Peggy
Conleth Hill – Aido
Cathy Belton – Jo
Rebecca O’Mara – Grainne
Sean Duggan – Ciaran Crowley
Director(s)
Phyllida Lloyd
Writer(s)
Malcolm Campbell, Clare Dunne
Producer(s)
Rory Gilmartin, Ed Guiney, Sharon Horgan
Film Festivals
Sundance
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 10 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (138) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (129) | Rotten (9)
It’s got foundations rooted in reality. The body off the house is in-between the dream and the fulfillment, and it’s roof has its head in the air…I enjoyed it very much.
September 21, 2021
Mark Kermode
Kermode & Mayo’s Film Review
TOP CRITIC
Lloyd makes something genuinely nightmarish of the worst attacks, but Dunne’s creased vulnerability … keeps us tethered to waking reality.
September 17, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Donald Clarke
Irish Times
TOP CRITIC
Dunne, who also co-wrote the script, brings admirable grit and pathos to her character without allowing her to become a victim. Still, the film’s abrupt tonal shifts are jarring.
September 11, 2021 | Rating: 2/5
Simran Hans
Observer (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Herself is smart in the way it balances the importance of individual charity and the need for wider reform – one provides the hope, the other provides the answers.
September 10, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Clarisse Loughrey
Independent (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Lloyd’s radical fairytale is enchanting.
September 10, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Charlotte O’Sullivan
London Evening Standard
TOP CRITIC
This is never maudlin and never tips into sentimentality. Lloyd’s direction is so sure and restrained that she somehow manages to balance the raw, hard-hitting, viscerally impactful scenes with the lighter, hopeful ones.
September 9, 2021
Deborah Ross
The Spectator
TOP CRITIC
A quietly eloquent little film about the hurt of ending an abusive relationship, the hardship of asking others for help, and the healing power of starting a new life on your own terms.
May 5, 2022 | Rating: 3.5/5
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
An inspiring story filled with moments of grace about a mother determined to build a safe home for her children.
January 2, 2022 | Rating: 5/5
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality & Practice
The movie is a well-crafted, soulfully acted glimpse at what victims of abuse suffer.
September 25, 2021
DarkSkyLady
DarkSkyLady Reviews
Director Phyllidia Lloyd (Mamma Mia!) does a masterful job of bringing Sandra’s experiences together into an immensely watchable and frequently touching narrative.
September 23, 2021
Sarah Cullen
Film Ireland Magazine
Ultimately uplifting in every sense…
September 17, 2021 | Rating: 3/5
Kate Muir
Daily Mail (UK)
Two parts reality, one part wishful thinking, Herself is heartfelt, female-driven, people-positive and mostly feelgood. But bring tissues.
September 16, 2021 | Rating: 4/5
Aine O’Connor
Sunday Independent (Ireland)…
Plot
A young mother escapes her abusive husband and fights back against a broken housing system. She sets out to build her own home and in the process rebuilds her life and re-discovers herself.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film Herself stars Clare Dunne, who also co-wrote the script and delivers an admirable performance.
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