Here is a list of films that address the subject of sexual assault:
“The Accused”, 1988
Director: Jonathan Kaplan
This film features Jodie Foster in her Academy Award-winning role as Sarah Tobias, a young woman who is gang-raped in a bar while onlookers cheer. The movie follows her fight for justice and the prosecution of both the attackers and the bystanders who egged them on.
Starring: Kelly McGillis, Jodie Foster, Bernie Coulson, Leo Rossi, Ann Hearn, Carmen Argenziano, Steve Antin, Tom O'Brien, Peter Van Norden, Terry David Mulligan;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Accused” on the website imdb.com
“Speak”, 2004
Director: Jessica Sharzer
Based on Laurie Halse Anderson's novel of the same name, this film stars Kristen Stewart as Melinda Sordino, a high-school student who becomes selectively mute after being raped by an upperclassman. It depicts her struggle with the traumatic aftermath and the eventual confrontation with her attacker.
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, Hallee Hirsh, Eric Lively, Allison Siko, Steve Zahn, Elizabeth Perkins, D.B. Sweeney, Richard Hagerman, Remy Brommer;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 89 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Speak” on the website imdb.com
“Boys Don't Cry”, 1999
Director: Kimberly Peirce
Starring Hilary Swank in an Oscar-winning performance, this film is based on the true story of Brandon Teena, a transgender man who was raped and murdered in Nebraska. It explores themes of gender identity and the horrific violence often faced by transgender individuals.
Starring: Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alicia Goranson, Alison Folland, Jeanetta Arnette, Rob Campbell, Matt McGrath, Cheyenne Rushing;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, melodrama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 114 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Boys Don't Cry” on the website imdb.com
“Elle”, 2015
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Featuring Isabelle Huppert, this French film follows the story of Michèle, a successful businesswoman who is raped in her home by an unknown assailant. Instead of reporting the crime, she takes a different approach to track down her attacker, leading to an unconventional and provocative exploration of victimhood and power.
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Charles Berling, Virginie Efira, Judith Magre, Christian Berkel, Jonas Bloquet, Alice Isaaz, Vimala Pons, Simone Chambord;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 130 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Elle” on the website imdb.com
“North Country”, 2005
Director: Niki Caro
Inspired by true events, this film stars Charlize Theron as Josey Aimes, a woman who takes a job at an iron mine and becomes the target of a sexual harassment campaign by her male coworkers. The ensuing legal battle led to one of the first successful sexual harassment cases in the United States.
Starring: Charlize Theron, Thomas Curtis, Elle Peterson, Frances McDormand, Sean Bean, Woody Harrelson, Jeremy Renner, Richard Jenkins, Sissy Spacek, James Cada;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “North Country” on the website imdb.com
“Precious”, 2009
Director: Lee Daniels
Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire, this harrowing film features Gabourey Sidibe as Claireece “Precious” Jones, an illiterate teenager growing up in Harlem who suffers abuse at the hands of her parents, including her father who has repeatedly raped and impregnated her.
Starring: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz, Stephanie Andujar, Chyna Layne, Amina Robinson, Xosha Roquemore;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Precious” on the website imdb.com
“Wind River”, 2016
Director: Taylor Sheridan
Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, this thriller is set on the Wind River Indian Reservation, where a wildlife officer and an FBI agent investigate the murder of a young Native American woman. The film addresses the larger issues of missing and murdered Indigenous women and the jurisdictional complexities involved in solving such crimes on tribal lands.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, Gil Birmingham, Jon Bernthal, Julia Jones, Kelsey Asbille, Teo Briones, Apesanahkwat, Tantoo Cardinal;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: detective, thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
“Room”, 2015
Director: Lenny Abrahamson
Brie Larson stars in this emotional drama about a young woman named Joy “Ma” Newsome who has been held captive for seven years in a small room, where she is repeatedly raped by her abductor. She attempts to create a normal life for her son, who was born in captivity, and plan their escape.
Starring: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers, Joan Allen, Tom McCamus, William H. Macy, Cas Anvar, Randal Edwards, Amanda Brugel, Joe Pingue;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
Each of these films offers a different perspective on sexual assault and its wide-reaching effects, exploring the topic with sensitivity, depth, and a focus on the survivors' journey towards healing and justice.
In exploring the vast landscape of cinema, the films that tackle the difficult and sensitive subject of sexual assault stand apart for their depth, emotional resonance, and the crucial conversations they ignite within society. Through a range of narratives, from the harrowing and tragic to the empowering and redemptive, these films serve as a mirror, reflecting the complex layers of trauma, survivorship, and the enduring quest for justice. They go beyond mere storytelling, acting as catalysts for change and raising awareness about an issue that, unfortunately, remains all too pervasive. In doing so, they remind us of the power of cinema not just to entertain, but to enlighten, to challenge, and to heal. The importance of these films cannot be overstated; they are vital tools in the ongoing fight against sexual violence, providing solace to survivors and serving as a call to action for society at large.
