The Mad Women's Ball
Seen it?2021 | 122 min | Thriller, Drama, History
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office and little lasting buzz. 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 anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved Inglourious Basterds or The Tenant, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A woman who is unfairly institutionalized at a Paris asylum plots to escape with the help of one of its nurses. Based on the novel 'Le bal des folles' by Victoria Mas.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.1 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a modest audience
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 70K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Inglourious Basterds
Friday Night FlickAlso stars Mélanie Laurent, in another much-loved drama.
The Tenant
Saturday SpecialAnother thriller that's easy to miss.
The Silence of the Lambs Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed thriller.
Greta
Weeknight WatchAnother thriller, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Spider Sunday Safe BetAnother thriller, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Mélanie Laurent
- Lou de LaâgeEugénie Cléry
- Mélanie LaurentGeneviève Gleizes
- Benjamin VoisinThéophile Cléry
- Emmanuelle BercotJeanne
- Cédric KahnFrançois Cléry
- Lomane de DietrichLouise
- Christophe MontenezJules
- Coralie RussierCamille
- Alice BarnoleHenriette
- Lauréna ThellierMarguerite