The Tale

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1:34

The Tale

2018

1h 54m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Jennifer has it all, with a loving boyfriend and a great career as a journalist and professor. But when her mother discovers a story - The Tale - that Jennifer wrote when she was 13, detailing a special relationship Jennifer had with two adult coaches, Jennifer returns to the Carolina horse farm where the events transpired to try to reconcile her version of events with the truth.

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Critics Consensus

The Tale handles its extraordinarily challenging subject matter with sensitivity, grace, and the power of some standout performances led by a remarkable Laura Dern.

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Hannah Strong

Little White Lies

Jennifer Fox's autobiographical debut makes for harrowing but essential viewing.

Dec 19, 2018

Full Review

Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

For Fox, and for all of us, The Tale is a spot in time worth finding.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 27, 2018

Full Review

Verne Gay

Newsday

Jenny's reluctance to stare down the horror gives "The Tale" an ineluctable psychological power.

Aug 23, 2018

Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Laura Dern, Common, Isabelle Nélisse, Burstyn, Debicki and Ritter all give strong, convincing, performances in this film, creating these strong relationships between these diverse characters. This is a powerful drama, well written, directed and acted.

Rated: A

Feb 18, 2023

Full Review

Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

...that she will always be damaged and telling herself a story to cope.

Rated: 78/100

Aug 22, 2021

Full Review

Milana Vujkov

Lola On Film

On how abuse comes not in the guise of the obviously monstrous, but through the beautiful, deceitful object of affection.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 29, 2021

Full Review

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C G.

Hard watch but a must watch

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

Full Review

Alain E

Some movies are unloved by the critics like the recent Alto Knights and other like this wannabe serious movie get 99% approval. Soon after the opening scene we see the adult protagonist having sex wearing a bra! You don’t want to show the breasts of an actress is understandable, but showing adults having sex wearing underwear is ridiculous. Then the actress chosen to represent Laura Dern as adolescent has no resemblance.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

Full Review

Irene R

Unflinching account of a young girls past. Difficult watch at times. Laura Dern is phenomenal.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/25

Full Review

Steve D

I am not crazy about the structure but the cast does great work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Eric L

Zero wasn't an option. Slow and boring. Skip the first 40 minutes and it might be good, that's about how long I lasted.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

Full Review

Aaron S

There's a heaviness to The Tale that is inescapable and suffocating. The reshaping of Jennifer Fox's memory as it comes into focus becomes more and more harrowing and she delves deeper. The sole breath of fresh air being reserved for its final moments accurately reflects the terror of the story and Laura Dern's confrontation scene with the Home Alone dad is exhilarating. I want very much for this to be as critical of a watch as it should be (and still really is) without feeling the need to point to its acting and tonal inconsistencies and made for tv-esque qualities. Despite what I found to be shortcomings in the viewing experience specifically, this true story is a devastating yet vital watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/23

Full Review

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Jennifer Fox

Director

Laura Dern

Jennifer

Elizabeth Debicki

Mrs. G

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Jason Ritter

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The Tale: Trailer 1

1:34

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Synopsis

Jennifer has it all, with a loving boyfriend and a great career as a journalist and professor. But when her mother discovers a story - The Tale - that Jennifer wrote when she was 13, detailing a special relationship Jennifer had with two adult coaches, Jennifer returns to the Carolina horse farm where the events transpired to try to reconcile her version of events with the truth.

Director: Jennifer Fox
Producer: Laura Rister, Jennifer Fox, Sol Bondy, Lawrence Inglee, Mynette Louie, Oren Moverman, Simone Pero, Regina K. Scully
Screenwriter: Jennifer Fox
Production Co: Blackbird Films, Untitled Entertainment, Gamechanger Films, One Two Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 27, 2018
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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