Promising Young Woman Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A coffee shop worker fakes being drunk to scare dudes, then falls for a nice guy who’s secretly a bad guy, so she dresses up as a stripper to ruin a wedding and ends up dead, but still wins.

🍿 Promising Young Woman: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Cassie’s Double Life

Cassie, a former medical student, lives a seemingly aimless life, working at a coffee shop and living with her parents. However, she leads a secret double life, feigning intoxication at bars to expose men who try to take advantage of her vulnerable state. This stems from a traumatic event involving her best friend, Nina, who was a victim of sexual assault.

Reconnecting with Ryan

Cassie’s routine is disrupted when she reconnects with Ryan, a former classmate. As their relationship develops, Cassie begins to consider the possibility of moving on from her past and finding happiness. However, the past continues to haunt her, particularly when Ryan mentions Al Monroe, the man responsible for Nina’s assault.

Unveiling the Truth

Cassie confronts those who enabled Al’s actions, including Madison, a former friend who dismissed Nina’s assault, and Dean Walker, who failed to take action. She also finds Jordan Greene, the lawyer who forced Nina to drop the case, now filled with remorse. This journey leads Cassie to uncover a disturbing truth about Ryan’s involvement in the events surrounding Nina’s assault, pushing her to a breaking point.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cassandra (Carey Mulligan): A medical school dropout who seeks revenge for her best friend’s trauma by feigning intoxication to confront predatory men.
• Ryan (Bo Burnham): Cassie’s former classmate and potential love interest, whose past complicity threatens their relationship and Cassie’s mission.
• Alexander “Al” Monroe (Chris Lowell): The man who assaulted Nina and becomes the ultimate target of Cassie’s elaborate plan for revenge and justice.
• Madison (Alison Brie): A former classmate who initially dismisses Nina’s assault but eventually provides crucial evidence to Cassie.
• Stanley (Clancy Brown): Cassie’s concerned but supportive father who struggles to understand her life choices.
• Susan (Jennifer Coolidge): Cassie’s emotionally distant mother who inadvertently encourages her to move on from the past.
• Gail (Laverne Cox): Cassie’s supportive and understanding boss and friend who offers a sense of normalcy in her life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cassandra: “I didn’t say you were a bad person. I said you were forgiving a bad thing.” – Cassie confronts Dean Walker about her role in covering up Nina’s assault, highlighting the difference between being a bad person and enabling bad behavior.
• Al Monroe: “It’s every man’s worst nightmare, getting accused of something like that.” – Al’s statement reflects a common deflection tactic, minimizing the victim’s experience while prioritizing the accused’s reputation.
• Cassandra: “Can you guess what every woman’s worst nightmare is?” – Cassie’s biting retort to Al’s self-pity shifts the focus to the actual victims of sexual assault and their fears.
• Mrs. Fisher: “You need to let it go, Cassie.” – Nina’s mother expresses her grief and desire for Cassie to move on, highlighting the different ways people cope with trauma and loss.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,460,965
• Worldwide Gross: $18,854,166

💥 Promising Young Woman Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Promising Young Woman’ messed me up in the best way possible. I went in expecting a fun revenge flick, but what I got was a gut-punch of emotion and uncomfortable truths. Carey Mulligan’s performance is incredible; you can feel her pain and her rage. The scene where she confronts Alfred Molina’s character was especially powerful, showing the complexity of guilt and forgiveness. Honestly, that ending…I’m still not sure how I feel about it, but it’s definitely stuck with me. This movie is a must-see, even if it leaves you feeling a bit raw.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary”
  • “Those who enjoy revenge thrillers with a twist”
  • “Carey Mulligan fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual assault themes”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing content”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• The Wrap: “Carey Mulligan delivers a knockout performance in this darkly comedic and unsettling thriller. Emerald Fennell’s direction is sharp, creating a visually striking film that tackles a difficult subject with intelligence and wit. While the ending may divide audiences, it’s undeniably impactful.
• RogerEbert.com: “A bold and uncompromising film that refuses to offer easy answers. Carey Mulligan is brilliant as Cassie, a woman driven by grief and rage. Emerald Fennell’s debut is a triumph, a film that is both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths.
• Variety: “Emerald Fennell’s directorial debut is a stylish and provocative thriller that blends dark humor with serious themes. Carey Mulligan gives a captivating performance as a woman on a mission. While the film’s tone can be uneven at times, it’s a daring and original take on the revenge thriller genre.

Audience Reactions

Carey Mulligan’s acting was phenomenal; she completely embodied the character.: Viewers praised Carey Mulligan’s powerful performance and the film’s exploration of difficult themes with dark humor and style.

The soundtrack was amazing and perfectly complemented the film’s tone.: Many appreciated the unique blend of pop music and classical arrangements that enhanced the movie’s atmosphere.

Overall Consensus: Promising Young Woman is a thought-provoking and darkly comedic thriller with a standout performance by Carey Mulligan. It tackles difficult themes with style and intelligence, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 2021
2. Critics’ Choice Movie Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 2021
3. BAFTA Film Award (Best Original Screenplay)- 2021

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Writer/director Emerald Fennell’s first scene idea was a woman on a bed being taken advantage of, asking ‘What are you doing?’ both drunk and sober.”
• “The film’s soundtrack intentionally includes ‘guilty pleasure’ pop songs to challenge the notion that this music is somehow less valid.”

🖥️ How to Watch Promising Young Woman?

Promising Young Woman is available to stream on various platforms. You can rent or buy it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu, and YouTube. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options as well.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Promising Young Woman, you might like these similar films:

• Hard Candy (2005): Features a woman who takes justice into her own hands against a suspected predator.
• Death Wish (1974): Thematically similar as it deals with the theme of vigilante justice following a personal tragedy.
• Elle (2016): A complex and controversial rape-revenge thriller that explores the psychological aftermath of sexual assault.
• Revenge (2017): A stylish and violent revenge film, with strong visuals and a focus on survival and retribution.

🛒 Promising Young Woman Related Products

• Promising Young Woman [Blu-ray]: Own the critically acclaimed film on Blu-ray, featuring bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage. A must-have for collectors and fans of the movie.
• Promising Young Woman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Download or stream the film’s eclectic soundtrack, featuring a mix of pop hits, classical arrangements, and original songs. Relive the movie’s iconic moments through its music.
• Promising Young Woman Poster: Decorate your space with a high-quality poster featuring the film’s striking imagery. Perfect for fans who want to showcase their appreciation for the movie.
• Promising Young Woman T-Shirt: Show your support for the movie with a stylish t-shirt featuring iconic imagery or quotes from the film. A comfortable and fashionable way to express your fandom.

🎧 Soundtrack

Promising Young Woman features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Stars Are Blind” – performed by Paris Hilton
• “Toxic (Britney Spears cover)” – performed by Various Versions
• “Something to Rescue” – performed by Fletcher
• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – performed by DeathbyRomy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Promising Young Woman: The Importance of Good Casting

Dive into the casting secrets of ‘Promising Young Woman’ and learn how the filmmakers’ keen eye for talent elevated the film to critical acclaim. Expert insights and behind-the-scenes anecdotes make this a must-watch for film enthusiasts and anyone curious about the art of casting!

‘Promising Young Woman’ Cast Explains the Female Revenge Thriller

Join the cast of ‘Promising Young Woman’ as they unpack the film’s complex themes, delve into their characters’ motivations, and discuss the unique genre-bending approach that sets this movie apart. A captivating conversation that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the film’s artistry.

Carey Mulligan – “Promising Young Woman” & The Comedy in Tragedy | The Daily Social Distancing Show

Hear Carey Mulligan’s personal insights into ‘Promising Young Woman’ as she discusses the film’s unique blend of comedy and tragedy. Mulligan offers her perspective on the importance of using entertainment to tackle weighty issues, making this interview a thought-provoking addition to your viewing experience.

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