Shirley Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A messed-up author messes with a younger couple while writing a messed-up book about a messed-up college kid who went missing, resulting in everyone being gloriously messed-up.

🍿 Shirley: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival at the Jackson-Hyman Household

Newlyweds Rose and Fred Nemser arrive at Bennington College where Fred has secured a teaching position under Stanley Hyman, a literary critic. They are immediately drawn into the orbit of Stanley and his wife, the enigmatic horror writer Shirley Jackson. Stanley proposes that Rose take on domestic duties in their home, as Shirley is struggling with writer’s block and agoraphobia, offering the couple temporary lodging in exchange.

Rose’s Entanglement with Shirley

Rose finds herself increasingly drawn into Shirley’s world, which is a mix of sharp intellect, psychological games, and a fascination with a missing Bennington College student, Paula Jean Welden. Shirley begins working on a new novel based on Paula’s disappearance, and Rose becomes her reluctant muse, providing research and emotional support. Their relationship blurs the lines between friendship, fascination, and manipulation.

Marital Discord and Unraveling Secrets

As Rose spends more time with Shirley, the Nemsers’ marriage begins to fray. Fred’s academic ambitions are undermined by Stanley, while Rose questions her role as a subservient wife. The film explores the complex power dynamics within both marriages, highlighting themes of ambition, infidelity, and the constraints placed on women in the 1950s. Secrets and betrayals come to light, further complicating the relationships.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Shirley Jackson (Elisabeth Moss): A brilliant but troubled horror writer struggling with her work and mental health, whose life is disrupted by a young couple.
• Stanley Hyman (Michael Stuhlbarg): Shirley’s philandering husband, a literary critic and professor, who both supports and torments her creative process.
• Rose Nemser (Odessa Young): A young newlywed who becomes entangled in Shirley and Stanley’s complex relationship, serving as a muse and undergoing a personal transformation.
• Fred Nemser (Logan Lerman): Rose’s ambitious husband, a lecturer at Bennington College, who seeks Stanley’s approval and becomes a pawn in their games.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Shirley Jackson: “Let’s pray for a boy. The world is too cruel to girls.” – Shirley says this to Rose, reflecting her cynical view of the world and the challenges faced by women.
• Stanley Hyman: “Terrifically competent. There’s no excuse for that.” – Stanley says this dismissively about Fred’s thesis, highlighting his intellectual arrogance and critical nature.
• Shirley Jackson: “It’s true one can get lost in the woods, it’s true one goes into the woods to get lost.” – Said about the missing girl, it also alludes to the psychological and emotional state of being lost that Shirley and Rose experience.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $275,863

💥 Shirley Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, what a trip! ‘Shirley’ is like stepping inside a gothic novel. Elisabeth Moss is incredible as Shirley, perfectly capturing her brilliance and madness. The way the movie blurs reality and fiction is so disorienting, in a good way! I found myself completely drawn into the twisted world they created, especially the scenes between Shirley and Rose. I didn’t love everything about it, but it was unforgettable!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Elisabeth Moss”
  • “Those interested in Shirley Jackson’s life and work”
  • “Viewers who appreciate psychological dramas”
  • “Those interested in stories with strong female characters”
  • “People who enjoy unconventional biopics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Depictions of mental illness”
  • “Some suggestive scenes”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Drinking”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Josephine Decker crafts a film that’s as unsettling and brilliant as Shirley Jackson’s own prose. Moss is mesmerizing, capturing Jackson’s darkness and vulnerability. The film is a gothic psychodrama that lingers long after the credits roll.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Elisabeth Moss delivers a powerhouse performance as Shirley Jackson in this stylish and disturbing film. Decker expertly explores the complex relationship between Jackson and her husband, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that heightens the tension.
• Variety: “Josephine Decker’s “Shirley” is a portrait of the artist as a bad, mad woman. The film is uncomfortable to watch and challenging to process, yet thanks to the performances and fascinating interactions, we remain enthralled the entire time.

Audience Reactions

Elisabeth Moss gives a career-defining performance as Shirley Jackson.: Viewers praised the unsettling atmosphere and the complex characters that made this a unique viewing experience.

The film successfully captures the essence of Shirley Jackson’s writing style.: Many viewers enjoyed the film’s ability to blend reality and fiction to create a disorienting and thought-provoking narrative.

Overall Consensus: A dark, stylish, and unsettling film anchored by Elisabeth Moss’s captivating performance. Not for everyone, but rewarding for those who appreciate its unique vision.

Awards

1. Josephine Decker (U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Auteur Filmmaking)- 2020

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the 2014 novel ‘Shirley’ by Susan Scarf Merrell, which is a fictionalized account of a period in Shirley Jackson’s life.”
• “Director Josephine Decker aimed to create a film that felt like one of Shirley Jackson’s own stories, blurring the lines between reality and fiction to reflect Jackson’s writing style.”
• “Elisabeth Moss spent considerable time researching Shirley Jackson, immersing herself in the author’s life and work to prepare for the role.”
• “The movie was filmed on location in a historic house in upstate New York, adding to the authenticity and atmosphere of the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Shirley?

Shirley is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Some platforms may offer a free trial before purchase or rental.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Shirley, you might like these similar films:

• Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966): Similar in its exploration of a toxic marriage between intellectuals, featuring sharp, cutting dialogue and a claustrophobic atmosphere.
• The Hours (2002): Explores the lives of multiple women writers across different time periods, grappling with similar themes of identity, creativity, and mental health.
• Misery (1990): Another story of an author being kept captive by a fan.
• Black Swan (2010): Deals with the themes of mental illness with a focus on artistic expression.

🛒 Shirley Related Products

• The Haunting of Hill House: Shirley Jackson’s most famous novel, a chilling exploration of fear and madness in a haunted house. A masterpiece of gothic horror.
• Shirley: A Novel: Susan Scarf Merrell’s novel that inspired the film. A fictionalized account of Shirley Jackson’s life, exploring her complex relationship with her husband and a young couple who come to stay with them.
• The Lottery and Other Stories: A collection of Shirley Jackson’s short stories, including her most famous and controversial work, ‘The Lottery.’ Showcases her talent for creating unsettling and thought-provoking narratives.
• The Haunting of Hill House: Netflix Series – Limited Edition Blu-ray: A limited edition Blu-ray set of the acclaimed Netflix series based on Shirley Jackson’s novel. Includes exclusive bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “I’m in Town” – performed by Frantic Faye Thomas

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Regina King on Relationship with Marla Gibbs, Her New Movie Shirley & Acting with Her Sister

Regina King sat down with Jimmy Kimmel to talk about her new movie Shirley, and it’s super interesting to hear her perspective on playing such an important historical figure. Plus, she shares a funny story about her mom wrecking her car – you gotta hear it!

UNCLOAK The HAUNTING Of HILL HOUSE! (The INSPIRATION for Shirley Jackson’s 1959 CLASSIC)

Want to understand Shirley Jackson better? This short video dives into the real-life inspirations behind her most famous novel, ‘The Haunting of Hill House.’ It’s fascinating to see how her personal life influenced her work; I find it very insightful, and I think you will too.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AVMuPE1BIKo

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