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The Lesson

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for The Lesson R Released Jul 7, 2023 1h 43m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
77% Tomatometer 100 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Verified Ratings
Liam (Daryl McCormack), an aspiring and ambitious young writer, eagerly accepts a tutoring position at the family estate of his idol, renowned author J.M. Sinclair (Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant). But soon, Liam realizes that he is ensnared in a web of family secrets, resentment, and retribution. Sinclair, his wife Hélène (Academy Award nominee Julie Delpy), and their son Bertie (Stephen McMillan) all guard a dark past, one that threatens Liam's future as well as their own. As the lines between master and protégé blur, class, ambition, and betrayal become a dangerous combination in this taut noir thriller.

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The Lesson

The Lesson

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Critics Consensus

Even if it isn't always quite as clever as it seems to think it is, sharp performances from an outrageously talented cast make The Lesson worth learning.

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Critics Reviews

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Lillian Crawford Empire Magazine McCormack, Grant and Delpy waltz with flair in this stylish if unoriginal slow-burn thriller. Best consumed with a large glass of red wine and one’s tongue in one’s cheek. Rated: 3/5 Dec 12, 2023 Full Review Sergio Burstein Los Angeles Times The film results in tremendous entertainment. [Full review in Spanish] Oct 5, 2023 Full Review Kevin Maher Times (UK) ... A movie that loves its actors and bounces buoyantly from scene to scene on the thrilling chemistry they provide. Rated: 4/5 Sep 25, 2023 Full Review Connor Lightbody Loud and Clear Reviews Bolstered -saved, perhaps- by incredible performances who chew up a script that needed a little silly camp to turn this into something more than a diverting, half-watched late night thriller stuck in the 1am slot on terrestrial TV Rated: 3/5 Jul 4, 2024 Full Review Ruth Maramis FlixChatter Film Blog Takes a while to get going but this neo-noir grows more engaging once it gets into gear. Daryl McCormack holds his own against veterans Richard E. Grant + Julie Delpy. Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 22, 2023 Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch Not quite a bestseller [...] but definitely not airport fiction either. Dec 2, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (16) audience reviews
Diane F. A real mystery with an unexpected ending. Movie held your attention as the subtle suspense increased until the ending. Interesting characters that kept you focused on what the ultimate ending would be. Enjoyed. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/19/23 Full Review Mr. Hollywood Drags a bit but once it gets going it grabs your attention. Nothing new but as the film says theres no original ideas anyway Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/18/23 Full Review Susan W I found the story engaging. The actors were wonderful. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/15/23 Full Review Donna B Slow, difficult to follow. Warped writer Rated 1 out of 5 stars 07/12/23 Full Review mary p Really good flick in this age of blockbuster sci fi or horror movies. Quiet, thoughtful, intriguing movie with fabulous actors in a lovely setting. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/12/23 Full Review SLIM Loved the easy pace of the movie. Fleshed out characters and a twist that you never see coming. I'll admit this "slow" film will not be for everyone but if you love film see this one. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Lesson

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Cast & Crew

Eileen 82% 54% Eileen Watchlist TRAILER for Eileen Hide and Seek 25% 20% Hide and Seek Watchlist Hypnotic 32% 62% Hypnotic Watchlist TRAILER for Hypnotic Afraid of the Dark 20% 34% Afraid of the Dark Watchlist Skincare 67% 62% Skincare Watchlist TRAILER for Skincare Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Liam (Daryl McCormack), an aspiring and ambitious young writer, eagerly accepts a tutoring position at the family estate of his idol, renowned author J.M. Sinclair (Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant). But soon, Liam realizes that he is ensnared in a web of family secrets, resentment, and retribution. Sinclair, his wife Hélène (Academy Award nominee Julie Delpy), and their son Bertie (Stephen McMillan) all guard a dark past, one that threatens Liam's future as well as their own. As the lines between master and protégé blur, class, ambition, and betrayal become a dangerous combination in this taut noir thriller.
Director
Alice Troughton
Producer
Camille Gatin, Cassandra Sigsgaard, Judy Tossell, Fabien Westerhoff
Screenwriter
Alex MacKeith
Distributor
Bleecker Street
Production Co
Bleecker Street Media, Egoli Tossell Film, Jeva Films, Poison Chef, Constellation Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 7, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$284.7K
Runtime
1h 43m
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