On the Basis of Sex

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1:42

On the Basis of Sex

PG-13

Released Jan 11, 2019

2h 0m

Biography

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

72%

Tomatometer

269 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a struggling attorney and new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the direction of her career and the way the courts view gender discrimination.

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Critics Consensus

On the Basis of Sex is nowhere near as groundbreaking as its real-life subject, but her extraordinary life makes a solid case for itself as an inspirational, well-acted biopic.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jones is required to repeatedly hold the screen in close-up while bashing out on-the-nose dialogue.

Jul 31, 2023

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Caroline Reilly

Bitch Media

On the Basis of Sex stands, additionally and crucially, as a testament to the power and importance of the legal world's unseen corners.

Mar 11, 2021

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Ben Sachs

Chicago Reader

The tight focus makes for an engaging, fast-moving legal drama; as with Spielberg at both his best and worst, this is seldom boring.

Feb 21, 2020

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Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

The biopic-wary should applaud On the Basis of Sex for its avoidance of the temptation to cover a longer chronology of Bader Ginsburg’s life and career.

Nov 8, 2023

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Cate Marquis

AWFJ.org

On the Basis of Sex is not a subtle film but it is a crowd-pleaser.

Oct 26, 2021

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Betsy Bozdech

AWFJ.org

On the Basis of Sex doesn't reinvent the biopic, but it succeeds in telling an important story about one of the most memorable women in U.S. legal history.

Oct 26, 2021

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Faiz D

A great and timely film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/13/25

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SkyRo P

The film "On the Basis of Sex," featuring Felicity Jones as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, is truly a remarkable piece of cinema. I found the film's complexity to be deeply rooted in its historical significance, showcasing Ruth's journey and the struggles she faced on her path to becoming a pivotal figure in history. The film effectively captures the essence of the era, keeping the audience engaged rather than losing interest due to its historical context. You can genuinely feel the impact of the characters and their contributions during that time, particularly Ruth's influence on women's rights in the United States. It’s an inspiring portrayal that resonates strongly. While there were a few aspects that could have been adjusted—some moments felt a bit dialogue-heavy—the film still managed to strike a balance with enough action and drama to create a positive viewing experience. I would definitely recommend this film to anyone interested in American history; it’s a powerful and enlightening watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/04/25

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Mister U

Certainly worth watching but RBG's inspiring story deserves better treatment. Typecasting throughout. Hammer:s performance takes me back to the worst community theater I've ever seen.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/06/24

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Alicja B

The movie portrays the personal and professional life of RBG in an engaging way.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/01/24

Full Review

Nessy I

It’s not a bad movie, however I would have loved to see more depth to the issues portrayed. There are great hints and mentions of them, but the movie is flowing through them pretty fast without getting into why those issues exist/ context of the times, RBG’s thinking process and evolving perspectives etc. It just seemed a tad shallow but that might have been caused by my expectations of a movie about such a legend :)

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

Full Review

Steven R

This film shows how a person's vision of right can change the staid assumptions of law and the legal system. Felicity Jones' understated performance of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is powerful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/24

Full Review

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Mimi Leder

Director

Felicity Jones

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Armie Hammer

Marty Ginsburg

Justin Theroux

Mel Wulf

Jack Reynor

Jim Bozarth

Cailee Spaeny

Jane Ginsburg

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On the Basis of Sex: Trailer 2

1:42

On the Basis of Sex: International Trailer 1

2:18

On the Basis of Sex: Trailer 1

2:26

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Synopsis

Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a struggling attorney and new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the direction of her career and the way the courts view gender discrimination.

Director: Mimi Leder
Producer: Robert W. Cort, Jonathan King
Screenwriter: Daniel Stiepleman
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Participant Media, Alibaba Pictures Group
Rating: PG-13 (Suggestive Content|Some Language)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 11, 2019, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Sep 25, 2020
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 26, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $24.7M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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