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Poster for The United States vs. Billie Holiday

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

Seen it?

2021 | 131 min | Music, Drama, History

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It drew serious awards attention, though it had a box office flop and middling reviews (56% on Rotten Tomatoes). A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Get On Up or Rocketman, start here.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 11 min.
What might put you off
Rated R: expect drug use.

Billie Holiday spent much of her career being adored by fans. In the 1940s, the government targeted Holiday in a growing effort to racialize the war on drugs, ultimately aiming to stop her from singing her controversial ballad, "Strange Fruit."

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsBelow par

    56% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.5 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Also nominated for 1 Oscar, 1 more Golden Globe and 3 Critics' Choice Awards. Plus 7 other awards.

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a modest audience; interest faded quickly after launch

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 100K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Lee Daniels

  • Andra DayBillie Holiday
  • Trevante RhodesJimmy Fletcher
  • Garrett HedlundHarry Anslinger
  • Leslie JordanReginald Lord Devine
  • Miss LawrenceMiss Freddy
  • Adriane LenoxMrs. Fletcher
  • Natasha LyonneTallulah Bankhead
  • Rob MorganLouis McKay
  • Da'Vine Joy RandolphRoslyn
  • Evan RossAgent Williams