Effie Gray

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Effie Gray

PG-13

2015

1h 48m

Biography

History

Drama

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

84 Reviews

41%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In Victorian England, the virginal wife (Dakota Fanning) of critic John Ruskin (Greg Wise) seeks an annulment of their marriage so that she can marry his protege, Everett Millais (Tom Sturridge).

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Critics Consensus

Effie Gray benefits from its strong cast, elevating a period drama that doesn't strike quite as many narrative sparks as it could.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

It feels like lockdown in 19th-century fancy dress.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 19, 2021

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Wesley Morris

Grantland

It's deadly dull, clogged with all kinds of string and piano music and sunk by a perplexingly lifeless performance by Dakota Fanning as Gray.

Apr 9, 2015

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Bilge Ebiri

New York Magazine/Vulture

Fanning's controlled presence is ideal for a tale of Victorian repression. But as the film becomes one of quiet liberation, it needs more than her cool reserve.

Apr 5, 2015

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Katie Hogan

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

Despite the excellent cast, they cannot make this fascinating story interesting to watch.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 23, 2021

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

This is a beautifully rendered film with oodles of character.

Rated: 3.5/5

Apr 15, 2021

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Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

A beautifully crafted film filled with a haunting stillness and melancholy touched with moments of humor... Effie Gray speaks to the heart and pays soft homage to the woman whose life we see unfold.

Dec 8, 2019

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Katie J

The costumes had me literally on my knees

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/16/25

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Stephen C

Based on a true story in 1 hour and 48 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Thematic and Sexual Content and Some Nudity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

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liz R

Atmospheric and brooding drama telling the true story of Effie Gray's marriage to John Ruskin. Amazing cast and thought-provoking story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/24

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Bonnie M

Very depressing and really thought Effie and Everett would get together. Didn't like the ending, Wasted movie night.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/25/23

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Kim H

I don't understand the very low ratings and comments about how boring and slow the movie is. My guess is that these reviewers watch fast-paced movies that focus on action and constant scene changes rather than the story. This movie tells a story. Viewers need to pay attention, listen to the dialogue, and think.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/08/22

Full Review

shelly l

This movie was VERY slow moving. The worst part about it is that after all of that long drawn out waiting, the ending leaves you completely unsatisfied. The acting was good. It was just that the script moved too slow and the storyline needed a lot of work to be interesting.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Richard Laxton

Director

Emma Thompson

Lady Eastlake

Dakota Fanning

Euphemia "Effie" Gray

Julie Walters

Margaret Cox Ruskin

Tom Sturridge

Everett Millais

David Suchet

Mr. Ruskin

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41%

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Synopsis

In Victorian England, the virginal wife (Dakota Fanning) of critic John Ruskin (Greg Wise) seeks an annulment of their marriage so that she can marry his protege, Everett Millais (Tom Sturridge).

Director: Richard Laxton
Producer: Andreas Roald, Donald Rosenfeld
Screenwriter: Emma Thompson
Distributor: Adopt Films
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic and Sexual Content|Some Nudity)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama, Romance
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2016
Runtime: 1h 48m

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