Charlie Says

R

Released May 10, 2019

1 hr. 50 min.

Drama

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List

59%

74 Reviews

Tomatometer

68%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Years after the shocking murders that made the name Charles Manson synonymous with pure evil, the three women who killed for him -- Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins -- remain under the spell of the infamous cult leader. Confined to an isolated cellblock, the trio seem destined to live out the rest of their lives under the delusion that their crimes were part of a cosmic plan, until an empathetic graduate student attempts to rehabilitate them.

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Critics Consensus

Charlie Says approaches its infamous subject from a welcome new angle, but suffers from a disappointing lack of depth in its treatment of the story.

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Fernanda B

Matt Smith is finally showing that he is more than The Doctor. Also, love @Hannah Murray performace. BTW the acted together before, with Evan Green. Another really good movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/01/23

Full Review

steve d

Charlie is always a fascinating monster, but the script isn't as good as many other films on the subject.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Take it or leave it, this is about the Manson girls and part of their side of the story. Given that, the story does feel like it has holes in it and is not exactly what is expected.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

smiley v

Gilly and Doctor Who get their freaky freak on in this the millionth retelling of the Manson Family murders. I like that it's told from the family members, specifically the three women who acted as Charlie's fingers during the Tate-LaBianca murders. Who says you can't flog a dead horse? Or hippy? The dark side of California Dream and the hippy "we're creating a new world man" movement rears its spun-out head again and it's still entertaining though not as edifying as it could have been. Charlie is only what's inside of all of you. Well maybe not all of us.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

jeff v

Matt Smith gives a lackluster performance as Manson. Not only does he not look or sound like Manson, he doesn't exhbit any kind of danger or threat. IE Manson lite. The endless injection of Feminist/Lesbian/Gay themes is tiresome and contrives. Go watch the 2004 Helter Skelter film

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A watchable drama on the Manson Family crimes, but I thought it could have been better. (First and only viewing - 4/6/2020)

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

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Mary Harron

Director

Matt Smith

Charles Manson

Hannah Murray

Leslie Van Houten

Suki Waterhouse

Mary Brunner

Annabeth Gish

Virginia Carlson

Chace Crawford

Tex Watson

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Charlie Says: Trailer 1

2:16

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Anne Cohen

Refinery29

Charlie Says makes a strong case for an even grayer area: That perhaps these women can be victims and guilty of horrific, unpardonable crimes. It's an unsettling thought. But at least, unlike the exaltation of Ted Bundy's abundant charm, it's a new one.

Oct 23, 2019

Full Review

Madeline Whittle

Film Comment Magazine

Harron's film is at its most thoughtful, and its most useful, in moments where it presents itself as an exploration of young women in thrall to a charismatic, deeply egotistical leader who thrives on their willing submission.

Jul 17, 2019

Full Review

David Fear

Rolling Stone

If nothing else, Charlie Says puts Van Houten in the center of her own story. Look at her game, girl.

Rated: 3/5

May 11, 2019

Full Review

Serena Seghedoni

Loud and Clear Reviews

Charlie Says will surprise you, shock you, move you and make you change your mind several times.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 12, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Harron's thoughtful, psychologically complex approach to films about killers and pinup models have a way of undermining the subject's inherent salaciousness.

Rated: 3.5/4

Mar 2, 2022

Full Review

Sara Century

Manor Vellum

The most relevant of the Manson Family films.

Rated: A+

Feb 24, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Years after the shocking murders that made the name Charles Manson synonymous with pure evil, the three women who killed for him -- Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins -- remain under the spell of the infamous cult leader. Confined to an isolated cellblock, the trio seem destined to live out the rest of their lives under the delusion that their crimes were part of a cosmic plan, until an empathetic graduate student attempts to rehabilitate them.

Director: Mary Harron
Executive Producer: Dana Guerin, Michael Guerin, David Hillary
Screenwriter: Guinevere Turner
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: IFC Films, Epic Level Entertainment
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Drug Use|Disturbing Violent Content|Language|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 10, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 19, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $46.9K

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