She-Devil

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She-Devil

PG-13

1989

1h 39m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

49%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Housewife and mother Ruth Patchett (Roseanne Barr), an overweight and unkempt woman, can seem to do nothing to make her husband, Bob (Ed Begley Jr.), happy. When he becomes embroiled in an affair with romance novelist Mary Fisher (Meryl Streep), Patchett does all she can to ignore it until Bob finally leaves her for Fisher. Bent on revenge, Patchett begins an intricate undertaking that will lead to the destruction of all that Bob holds dear -- and she also has plans for Fisher while she's at it.

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Variety Staff

Variety

The casting is a real coup, with Barr going her everywoman TV persona one better by breaking the big screen heroine mold, and Streep blowing away any notion that she can't be funny.

Jan 11, 2018

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Barr demonstrates that there is a core of reality inside her TV persona, a core of identifiable human feelings like jealousy and pride, and they provide a sound foundation for her comic acting.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a mostly watchable yet thoroughly erratic comedy...

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 23, 2023

Full Review

Kristin Battestella

InSession Film

Roseanne Barr’s ugly and unloved housewife Ruth reads romance novels and dreams of making herself as beautiful as enchanting author Meryl Streep in this witty 1989 revenge tale.

Jul 25, 2023

Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

A lot of the choices, from Streep’s acting to her pink-princess mansion, seem like they’re aiming for camp but don’t go hard enough.

May 24, 2023

Full Review

Candace Wiggins

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

Worth seeing, but don't expect a screamingly funny film.

Rated: 3/4

May 9, 2023

Full Review

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Devin B

Funny throughout with great acting!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/05/25

Full Review

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, e a rosseane barr é fraca com protagonista

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/29/25

Full Review

Gordon H

Under-rated re-imagining of the British drama series "LIFE AND LOVES OF A SHE-DEVIL"(a must-see if you can find it). Wonderful cast! I've seen it several times.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Athena W

This movie came out when I was in middle school. 36 years ago. It has aged well and is one of my favorite movies now. I love the look, the design, last days of movies made on actual film and very well done. Love all the characters. The comedic timing of everyone in this movie is perfect, well directed and an excellent story. One of the best uses of music in a film to accentuate the devilish mood and comedic moments. I don't understand why the main character of this movie, Roseanne Barr, isn't at the top of the cast list on this site. It's disgraceful and disrespectful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

Full Review

Angel G

It's a great movie and my favorite movie it's a movie I don't mind watching over and over again. I often don't like seeing movies I've already seen I find them boring but She-Devil I'll definitely watch again!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/25

Full Review

Hue S

Really loved this. Stumbled on it after watching some of "Death becomes her," which I didn't get into. She devil, however? Loved it! Barr is funny and smart and willing to push the parts of her so criticized by others. Streep falling apart trying to take care of Bob's kids and her Mom released from the nursing home is hilarious. The character of her Mom is great too. And loved the reminders of Sally Jessie Raphael and Robin Leech, big touch points from my teenage hood in the 80s. Definitely will come back and watch this one again. Oh, and almost forgot, seeing Barr reach all those women who'd been forgotten etc and them becoming an army who have each other's backs is great.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

Full Review

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Susan Seidelman

Director

Meryl Streep

Mary Fisher

Roseanne Barr

Ruth Patchett

Ed Begley Jr.

Bob

Linda Hunt

Hooper

Sylvia Miles

Mrs. Fisher

She-Devil: Official Clip - The New Novel

2:11

She-Devil: Official Clip - Court Hearing

1:58

She-Devil: Official Clip - Sad Mary Fisher

2:34

She-Devil: Official Clip - Four Assets, One Liability

0:52

She-Devil: Official Clip - The Kids' New Home

2:09

She-Devil: Official Clip - Mary's Research

2:30

She-Devil: Official Clip - Dinner Disaster

2:35

She-Devil: Official Clip - Ruth's Exit

2:22

She-Devil: Official Clip - Olivia Honey

1:59

She-Devil: Official Clip - Taking Back Control

2:12

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Synopsis

Housewife and mother Ruth Patchett (Roseanne Barr), an overweight and unkempt woman, can seem to do nothing to make her husband, Bob (Ed Begley Jr.), happy. When he becomes embroiled in an affair with romance novelist Mary Fisher (Meryl Streep), Patchett does all she can to ignore it until Bob finally leaves her for Fisher. Bent on revenge, Patchett begins an intricate undertaking that will lead to the destruction of all that Bob holds dear -- and she also has plans for Fisher while she's at it.

Director: Susan Seidelman
Producer: Jonathan Brett, Susan Seidelman
Screenwriter: Fay Weldon, Barry Strugatz, Mark R. Burns
Distributor: Orion Pictures, 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Orion Pictures Corporation
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 16, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.8M
Runtime: 1h 39m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR

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