Martha Mary Macy Marlene

 

Martha Mary Macy Marlene 2011

• Director: Sean Durkin
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, John Hawkes, Hugh Dancy
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Elizabeth Olsen – Avengers etc
• Sarah Paulson – Run, Glass, Bird Box, 12 Years a Slave, Mud, Down with Love
• John Hawkes - many
• Hugh Dancy – Jane Austen Book Club, Daniel Deronda
• Why? Good reviews
• Seen: 31 March 2025 

             Martha (Olsen) escapes a sect and is taken in by her sister Lucy (Paulson) and brother-in-law Ted (Dancy). The sect is like sects are, charismatic leader (Hawkes) who rapes the women etc. Martha is disturbed and damaged but it’s unclear why.

            I’m not fond of dual timelines and this is no better than most. I was expecting better, considering the subject. 

2½ * of 5