The Tale
2018 · Movie · R · 115 min · ★ 7.1 · 95% critics
After a long-buried school essay resurfaces, a successful woman is pushed to question the version of her past she’s always believed. As she revisits a formative relationship from her youth, she confronts how memory, denial, and self-protection can reshape the truth—and what it takes to face it.
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2018
- Release date
- 2018-01-20
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Critic score
- 95/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.1/10 (472 votes)
About
You’ll likely connect with this if you want an intense, thought-provoking drama about trauma, memory, and self-protection, told in a direct, personal way; Not for you if you avoid upsetting themes or explicit discussions.
Pros: powerful performances; gripping memory mystery; emotionally honest | Cons: very distressing subject; heavy, grim tone; some find it slow
Themes
- investigation
- based on true story
- memory
- childhood sexual abuse
- woman director
- survive
Cast & crew
Laura Dern
as Jennifer
Isabelle Nélisse
as Jenny (13 Years)
Elizabeth Debicki
as Mrs. G
Jason Ritter
as Bill
Frances Conroy
as Jane Graham
John Heard
as William P. Allens
Ellen Burstyn
as Nettie
Laura Allen
as Young Nettie
Matthew Rauch
as Aaron
Jessica Sarah Flaum
as Jenny (15 Years)
Directed by Jennifer Fox