Herself

R

Released Dec 30, 2020

1 hr. 37 min.

Drama

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List

94%

139 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Single mother Sandra (Clare Dunne) escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, only to find herself trapped in temporary accommodation. After months of struggling, she draws inspiration from one of her daughter’s bedtime stories and hits upon the idea of self-building an affordable home. She finds an architect who provides her with plans and is offered land by Peggy (Harriet Walter), a woman she cleans for. Aido (Conleth Hill), a building contractor, appears willing to help, too. But as her past rears its head in the form of Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson), her possessive ex, and as bureaucrats fight back against her independent spirit, will Sandra be able to rebuild her life from the ground up?

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Critics Consensus

Sensitively directed by Phyllida Lloyd and brought to life by co-writer Clare Dunne's starring performance, Herself charts one woman's journey with empathy and grace.

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Saundra H

E the storyline and acting was job well done

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/03/21

Full Review

First L

Horrible movie!!!!! !!!!!!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/06/21

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Maura D

It's a very engaging movie. It shows what can happen if people don't just judge.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Outstanding performances keep "Herself" from being just another formulaic movie about a mother trying to establish a home for her and her children after leaving an abusive lowlife husband. Claire Dunne is especially impressive as the abused wife who had the strength to leave. The girls who play her daughters were also great, seemingly actual sisters in real life by their interaction and natural chemistry with one another. 3 stars

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Liz F

Astonishingly good. Terrific acting by Clare Dunne, the abused single mom, as well as by the very young girls playing her two daughters. The story unfolds with so much hope and determination with a believable but tragic finale. I highly recommend this one!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/22

Full Review

Audience Member

What an amazing film...just brilliant 👏 👌 😀 👍

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

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Phyllida Lloyd

Director

Clare Dunne

Sandra

Harriet Walter

Peggy

Conleth Hill

Aido

Cathy Belton

Jo

Rebecca O'Mara

Grainne

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Herself: Movie Clip - Take the Land

1:40

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New on Amazon Prime Video in January 2021

Herself: Trailer 1

2:31

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

It's got foundations rooted in reality. The body off the house is in-between the dream and the fulfillment, and it's roof has its head in the air...I enjoyed it very much.

Sep 21, 2021

Full Review

Donald Clarke

Irish Times

Lloyd makes something genuinely nightmarish of the worst attacks, but Dunne's creased vulnerability ... keeps us tethered to waking reality.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 17, 2021

Full Review

Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

Dunne, who also co-wrote the script, brings admirable grit and pathos to her character without allowing her to become a victim. Still, the film's abrupt tonal shifts are jarring.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 11, 2021

Full Review

M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Clare Dunne gives a resilient and empowering performance.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 11, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

“Herself” is an interesting mix of clear-eyed movie realism and life-affirming drama.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

A quietly eloquent little film about the hurt of ending an abusive relationship, the hardship of asking others for help, and the healing power of starting a new life on your own terms.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 5, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Single mother Sandra (Clare Dunne) escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, only to find herself trapped in temporary accommodation. After months of struggling, she draws inspiration from one of her daughter’s bedtime stories and hits upon the idea of self-building an affordable home. She finds an architect who provides her with plans and is offered land by Peggy (Harriet Walter), a woman she cleans for. Aido (Conleth Hill), a building contractor, appears willing to help, too. But as her past rears its head in the form of Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson), her possessive ex, and as bureaucrats fight back against her independent spirit, will Sandra be able to rebuild her life from the ground up?

Director: Phyllida Lloyd
Executive Producer: Mary Burke, Rose Garnett, Phyllida Lloyd, Andrew Lowe
Screenwriter: Malcolm Campbell, Clare Dunne
Distributor: Amazon Studios
Production Co: Merman Films, BBC Films, Element Pictures, British Film Institute, Screen Ireland
Rating: R (Some Domestic Violence|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 30, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 8, 2021
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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