Murderous Maids (2002)
82%RT Audience Score: 70%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 4 nominations
Murderous Maids is a film that delves into the taboo topic of incestuous lesbian sisters and the murder that ensues. While some critics found the detached camera work and lack of emotional connection to be a downfall, others praised the ferocious performance of Sylvie Testud and the boldness of the subject matter. The film explores deeply entrenched class divisions and sexual taboos, leaving its meaning open to interpretation. Testud’s performance is nothing less than macabre and delirious, making for a compelling and eerie watch. Despite its unevenness, Murderous Maids is a fascinating and worthwhile film that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Murderous Maids is a film that will make you question your own sanity. The performances by Julie-Marie Parmentier and Sylvie Testud are so convincing that you’ll be left wondering if you’re the crazy one for watching it. The story is dark and twisted, but the directing is firm and keeps the film from going off the rails. It’s definitely not a feel-good movie, but it’s worth watching if you’re in the mood for something macabre. Just don’t watch it alone at night.
Production Company(ies)
FM Productions, Last Waltz Inc.,
Distributor
NA
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Le Mans, Sarthe, France
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2000
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:NA
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Language(s):French
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 2002 Original
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
Murderous Maids, Drama, French (Canada), Jean-Pierre Denis, Laurent Pétin, Michèle Pétin, Jean-Pierre Denis, Paulette Houdyer, Michèle Pétin, Sylvie Testud, Julie-Marie Parmentier, Isabelle Renauld, Dominique Labourier, Jean-Gabriel Nordmann, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo, Scope (2.35:1), historical account, disturbing, engrossing, powerful performance, incestuous lesbian sisters, mental imbalance, repression, murder, class differences, sexual taboos, tension, emotional triangle, graphic, brutal, family history, political statement, top horror movies, MCU movies, Netflix series, TV premiere dates
Worldwide gross: $225,390
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $390,920
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,798
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 42,630
US/Canada gross: $225,390
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $390,920
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,389
US/Canada opening weekend: $19,992
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $34,674
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,332
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
Julie-Marie Parmentier – Léa Papin
Isabelle Renauld – Clémence
Dominique Labourier – Mme Lincelan
Jean-Gabriel Nordmann – Mr. Lincelan
Marie Donnio – Geneviève Lincelan
Director(s)
Jean-Pierre Denis
Writer(s)
Jean-Pierre Denis, Paulette Houdyer, Michèle Pétin
Producer(s)
Laurent Pétin, Michèle Pétin
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (53) | Top Critics (21) | Fresh (48) | Rotten (5)
Sylvie Testud gives such a ferociously controlled performance that the messy murder seems like a necessary release.
June 17, 2013
Peter Rainer
New York Magazine/Vulture
TOP CRITIC
Unfortunately Denis’ detached and indifferent camera never gets inside the story, its characters, or its milieu.
June 17, 2013
Fred Camper
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
The film studies a world of deeply entrenched class divisions and sexual taboos, and then, with a scream in the night, draws the study to a close, leaving its meaning, like that of the case that inspired it, open to interpretation.
June 17, 2013
Keith Phipps
AV Club
TOP CRITIC
Julie-Marie Parmentier and Sylvie Testud are eerily convincing as the intense pair of co-dependents in the rigorous but creepy drama Murderous Maids.
July 6, 2010
Lisa Nesselson
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Never inspires more than an interested detachment.
August 18, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/5
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
Though far from a feel-good affair, it is never cheap or cynical. Its creepiness is well-earned.
July 18, 2002 | Rating: B+
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
TOP CRITIC
Constructing this story with sensitive slowness, Denis keeps the sensational aspects surrounding these incestuous lesbian sisters in check, letting a fantastic performance from Testud carry the movie.
June 17, 2013
Film4 Staff
Film4
The acting is convincingly macabre, with Sylvie Testud giving an absolutely superb delirious performance.
October 29, 2008 | Rating: B
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
July 2, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
Jake Euker
F5 (Wichita, KS)
Good performances and a firm directing hand make this worthwhile despite the distasteful subject matter.
May 31, 2004 | Rating: 4/5
Widgett Walls
Needcoffee.com
Sylvie Testud is nothing less than ferocious…Even in her stillness, she’s compelling.
April 15, 2004 | Rating: 3.50/5
Kent Turner
Film-Forward.com
Its unevenness can be forgiven due to the boldness of dealing with such a taboo topic matter ,and despite all of its problems, this film makes for a fascinating 90 minutes.
March 2, 2004 | Rating: 72/100
Derek Smith
Apollo Guide…
Plot
In 1933 France, two sisters with no apparent motive kill their employer and her daughter, in this disturbing and engrossing historical drama.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Sylvie Testud gives a “ferociously controlled performance” in Murderous Maids.
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