Dolores Claiborne

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Dolores Claiborne

R

1995

2h 11m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In a small New England town, Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) works as a housekeeper for the rich but heartless Vera Donovan (Judy Parfitt). When Vera turns up dead, Dolores is accused of killing her elderly employer -- so her estranged daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a well-respected New York City journalist, decides to visit her mother and investigate the matter for herself. As Selena digs deeper into the case, she uncovers shocking truths about the murder and her own childhood.

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Critics Consensus

Post-Misery Kathy Bates proves to be another wonderful conduit for Stephen King's novels in this patient, gradually terrifying thriller.

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Hugo Davenport

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Aided by strong performances, Hackford keeps the suspense simmering nicely until a botched courtroom showdown... Interesting, though, to see Stephen King in the guise of feminist.

Nov 18, 2022

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Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

It's rare to see a pop best seller come out this well in the movies.

Rated: 3.5/4

Oct 4, 2019

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Brian Lowry

Variety

Deftly cutting between the past and the present, director Taylor Hackford manages to establish a compelling mood and pace even though the pic lacks a thriller's true "Aha!" moment.

Jun 16, 2008

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Earns its keep among the best King adaptations for its depiction of lives with eternal asterisks — the horrors that quickly crash & slowly recede when you least expect, that you can’t really see lurking in any shadows but that you can always, always feel.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 26, 2025

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a slow-moving drama that benefits from its atmospheric visuals and top-notch performances...

Rated: 3/4

Nov 17, 2024

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Joe Lipsett

Anatomy of a Scream Podcast Network

Bates and Jason Leigh both shine in this savvy adaptation of a challenging Stephen King book. Dolores Claiborne proves that when the right people board a project, there's no such thing as an unfilmable book

Rated: 4/5

Nov 2, 2022

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spoko s

Jennifer Jason Leigh is just SUCH a terrible actress. Doesn't help to put her next to real talent like Kathy Bates.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/02/25

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Farah R

Hailed among the best of Steven King's adaptations, Dolores Claiborne is a brilliant film owing to Kathy Bates' powerful performance. It's impossible not to be moved by her stirring portrayal of the titular character and not get gripped by the mystery the premise centers around.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/30/25

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Leo Rafael d

A movie that deserved acting awards.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/20/25

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Maria M

Absolutely adore this film in every way

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/11/25

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Jack M

Great cast performances and story

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

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J V

This movie is filled with many great actors. One of my all time favorite movies. 👍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

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Taylor Hackford

Director

Kathy Bates

Dolores Claiborne

Jennifer Jason Leigh

Selena St. George

Judy Parfitt

Vera Donovan

Christopher Plummer

Det. John Mackey

David Strathairn

Joe St. George

True Believer

96%

63%

True Believer

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64%

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The Underneath

63%

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Physical Evidence

22%

16%

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Synopsis

In a small New England town, Dolores Claiborne (Kathy Bates) works as a housekeeper for the rich but heartless Vera Donovan (Judy Parfitt). When Vera turns up dead, Dolores is accused of killing her elderly employer -- so her estranged daughter, Selena (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a well-respected New York City journalist, decides to visit her mother and investigate the matter for herself. As Selena digs deeper into the case, she uncovers shocking truths about the murder and her own childhood.

Director: Taylor Hackford
Producer: Taylor Hackford, Charles Mulvehill
Screenwriter: Tony Gilroy, Stephen King
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 18, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.8M
Runtime: 2h 11m
Sound Mix: Surround

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