The Beguiled Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A wounded soldier gets more than he bargained for when he charms his way into a Southern girls’ school during the Civil War, proving that hell hath no fury like a sisterhood scorned… and armed with poisonous mushrooms.

🍿 The Beguiled: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Wounded Soldier Arrives

In 1864 Virginia, during the American Civil War, Amy, a young girl from Miss Martha Farnsworth’s Seminary for Young Ladies, discovers a wounded Union soldier, Corporal John McBurney, in the woods. The seminary, a secluded boarding school, is now home to only a handful of students and teachers due to the ongoing war. Amy brings the injured McBurney back to the school, where Miss Martha decides to provide him with medical care.

Tensions and Allure

As McBurney recovers, his presence disrupts the isolated lives of the women at the school. He receives care from Miss Martha and the teacher, Edwina, and quickly becomes the object of their attention and the fascination of the students. The women begin to compete for his affection, leading to heightened tensions and jealousy. McBurney skillfully manipulates the situation to his advantage, enjoying the attention and comfort he receives.

A Dangerous Game

McBurney’s manipulative behavior escalates as he romances both Edwina and Alicia, one of the older students. Edwina, yearning for a life beyond the school, becomes particularly vulnerable to his charms. However, his deception is revealed when Edwina discovers him with Alicia, leading to a confrontation and McBurney falling down the stairs, re-injuring his leg.

Amputation and Retribution

With McBurney’s leg severely injured, Miss Martha makes the difficult decision to amputate it to save his life. When McBurney awakens and realizes what has happened, he is enraged and accuses the women of cruelty and vengeance. His volatile behavior and threats create a sense of danger and fear within the school.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman): The stern but secretly yearning headmistress of the seminary who makes a fateful decision to harbor a wounded Union soldier.
• Edwina (Kirsten Dunst): A repressed teacher at the seminary who longs for escape and finds herself drawn to the charismatic Corporal McBurney.
• Alicia (Elle Fanning): A flirtatious and precocious student at the seminary who actively pursues McBurney’s attention.
• Corporal McBurney (Colin Farrell): A wounded Union soldier who disrupts the isolated lives of the women at the seminary, manipulating their desires for his own gain.
• Amy (Oona Laurence): A young student who discovers McBurney and initiates the chain of events that unfold at the seminary.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Miss Martha: “Be civil, be hospitable.” – Miss Martha’s instruction to the girls when first introducing them to the wounded Corporal McBurney.
• Corporal McBurney: “What have you done to me, you vengeful bitches?” – Shouted after realizing his leg has been amputated.
• Edwina: “I do have desires.” – Edwina confesses her repressed feelings to McBurney, revealing her yearning for something more in life.
• Miss Martha: “You’re our most unwelcome visitor, and we do not propose to entertain you.” – Miss Martha’s stern warning to McBurney, as she has finally lost patience with his behaviour.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,709,995
• Worldwide Gross: $27,869,129

💥 The Beguiled Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely drawn into the world of ‘The Beguiled.’ The atmosphere was so thick with tension, you could cut it with a knife! I loved how the movie explored the unspoken desires and the subtle power plays between the women and Colin Farrell’s character. The scene where Nicole Kidman is cleaning Farrell and makes very clear where she wishes this to go had me on the edge of my seat. You can feel the frustration and jealousy building up, leading to that unforgettable ending. It’s a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Southern Gothic dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in female-led stories”
  • “Those who appreciate Sofia Coppola’s directing style”
  • “People who enjoy slow-burn thrillers with psychological elements”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Sexual tension”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• The New Yorker: “Sofia Coppola creates an atmosphere thick with sexual tension and unspoken desires, making the most of the film’s claustrophobic setting. Kidman delivers a subtly powerful performance as the headmistress battling her own repressed emotions.
• RogerEbert.com: “The Beguiled is a visually stunning film, with a strong cast that navigates the complex dynamics of power and desire. However, the pacing is slow, and the film may leave some viewers wanting more from its characters.
• Variety: “Coppola’s remake offers a beautifully crafted but somewhat muted take on the story, focusing on the female gaze and the shifting power dynamics within the school. Farrell is suitably charming, but the film lacks the visceral impact of the original.

Audience Reactions

The performances by the female cast, especially Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst, were captivating and nuanced.: Most viewers praised the film’s atmosphere, cinematography, and the performances of the actors, finding it to be a visually stunning and suspenseful experience.

Overall Consensus: While opinions are mixed, most viewers and critics agree that ‘The Beguiled’ is a visually stunning and well-acted film. Some find it slow-paced and lacking in depth, while others appreciate its exploration of female desire and power dynamics.

Awards

1. Cannes Film Festival (Best Director)- 2017

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sofia Coppola initially hesitated to remake ‘The Beguiled’ due to its controversial themes and the success of the 1971 version.”
• “To create the film’s distinctive visual style, Coppola drew inspiration from 19th-century American paintings and photographs.”
• “The costumes were designed to reflect the characters’ emotional states, with darker colors and simpler styles used to convey the seminary’s decline during the Civil War.”
• “The film was primarily shot on location at Madewood Plantation in Louisiana, chosen for its authentic antebellum architecture and atmosphere.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Beguiled?

The Beguiled (2017) is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Check services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary depending on your region. Some services may require a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Beguiled, you might like these similar films:

• The Beguiled (1971): The original adaptation of the Thomas Cullinan novel, offering a different perspective on the same story.
• Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975): Features a similar atmosphere of repressed desire and mystery within a secluded female environment.
• The Piano (1993): Explores themes of sexual repression, forbidden desire, and female agency in a historical setting.
• Black Narcissus (1947): Explores the themes of sexual repression and the unraveling of order in an isolated convent setting.
• Suffragette (2015): Portrays themes of female empowerment and revolt in the face of patriarchal opression, in a different historical setting.

🛒 The Beguiled Related Products

• The Beguiled (Original 1971 Movie) [Blu-ray]: Experience the original classic with Clint Eastwood. Contrast it to the remake!
• American Civil War Action Figures: Create your own scenes from the Civil War with authentic soldier action figures.
• Civil War Era Corset: High quality replica corset – become a beguiling character
• The Beguiled (Thomas Cullinan Novel): Dig deep with a look at Thomas Cullinan’s novel. Contains deep character arcs, not for the faint of heart

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Lorena” – performed by J.P. Webster
• “Magnificat” – performed by Monteverdi
• “Main theme” – performed by Phoenix, Laura Karpman

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Sofia Coppola Talks Teen Girls, Sexual Desire and Her New Film ‘The Beguiled’

Ever wonder what Sofia Coppola was thinking when she made ‘The Beguiled’? This interview is pure gold, she really opens up about the film’s themes and her unique perspective. Honestly, her thoughts on female desire are so insightful!

Sofia Coppola Breaks Down the Dinner Scene from “The Beguiled” | Vanity Fair

Want to know the *real* meaning behind that tense dinner scene in ‘The Beguiled’? Sofia Coppola herself breaks it down in this video, and you won’t believe all the hidden details she reveals. It totally changed how I see the movie!

The Beguiled: Behind the Scenes Movie Broll 1 of 4 | ScreenSlam

Curious about what it was *really* like on the set of ‘The Beguiled’? This behind-the-scenes footage is a total treat! Seeing the actors and the crew at work is fascinating. Makes you appreciate the movie even more!

You know It’s a Sofia Coppola Movie IF…

Obsessed with Sofia Coppola’s unique filmmaking style? This video breaks down the recurring themes and visual signatures that make her movies so captivating. Honestly, after watching this, you’ll appreciate ‘The Beguiled’ even more!

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