Wicked Little Letters

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1:28

Wicked Little Letters

R

Released Apr 5, 2024

1h 42m

Comedy

History

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

177 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified Ratings

A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger than fiction true story, WICKED LITTLE LETTERS follows two neighbors: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town's women -- led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) -- begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all.

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Critics Consensus

Thanks largely to a strong cast that leans into the story's humorous side, Wicked Little Letters is a diverting comedy even if the mystery at its core isn't particularly clever.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Colman and Buckley know how to make this material sing, and there are moments when both actors managed to make me squeeze out an authentic tear or two, only to have me enthusiastically giggling a scene or two later.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 5, 2024

Full Review

Kaely Monahan

Arizona Republic

The range of insults sprinkled in with a healthy dose of f-bombs is truly awe-inspiring. The letters are spicy for the villagers, but for a modern-day audience, they're just delightfully silly.

Rated: 4.5/5

Apr 5, 2024

Full Review

Johanna Schneller

Globe and Mail

It’s saved, first by strong performances from Buckley, always effortlessly believable, and Colman, expert at laying bare the clammy soul of easily dismissible women. And second, by the letters themselves...

Apr 5, 2024

Full Review

Marissa Hill

Shade Studios

This film is a sharp, witty exploration of repression, anger, and the ways in which women use language—both spoken and written—to claim their power.

Jul 29, 2025

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Sammie Purcell

Rough Draft Atlanta

The mystery of the letter writer itself is a bit less fun than the film’s overall tone, a bit too easy to see coming. But the film never loses its sense of humor, a wonderfully funny script from Jonny Sweet boosted by a great supporting cast.

Jul 22, 2025

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a mostly by-the-numbers endeavor that would undoubtedly feel right at home on PBS...

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 7, 2024

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david

Oh yeah that’s a great flick

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

Full Review

Monica

Such a cute movie and Olivia Coleman was great!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/01/24

Full Review

merav

Olivia Coleman as great as she is always is. An awesome movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/24

Full Review

Sandy G

Entertaining! Great story line! Especially because it's based on a true story. Love period pieces that don't have a lot special effects and Superheroes!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/24

Full Review

Gary

Great plot well acted and presented. Very refreshing to see a movie that relies on the story and acting rather than the typical violence parade that is ubiquitous.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/19/24

Full Review

Donna

Like the British actors and the settings. A lot strong language, it tied the story line together.8

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/17/24

Full Review

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Thea Sharrock

Director

Olivia Colman

Edith Swan

Jessie Buckley

Rose Gooding

Anjana Vasan

Gladys Moss

Joanna Scanlan

Ann

Gemma Jones

Victoria Swan

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Wicked Little Letters: Trailer 1

1:28

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Synopsis

A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger than fiction true story, WICKED LITTLE LETTERS follows two neighbors: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town's women -- led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) -- begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all.

Director: Thea Sharrock
Producer: Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin, Ed Sinclair, Olivia Colman, Jo Wallett
Screenwriter: Jonny Sweet
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Blueprint Pictures, South of the River Pictures
Rating: R (Sexual Material|Language Throughout)
Genre: Comedy, History, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 5, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2024
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.0M
Runtime: 1h 42m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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