Overview
A stunning portrayal of love and societal pressures in a bygone era.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- austere
- devastating
- quiet evening
- literary film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a powerful, visually refined literary period drama whose depiction of social cruelty remains emotionally gripping and relevant.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lily’s precarious position in New York high society deteriorates as jealousy, financial dependence, and social hypocrisy turn her community against her.
Davies uses languorous still-life interiors, posture, facial expression, and mise-en-scène to externalize Lily’s changing emotional state.
Lily is torn between securing a wealthy husband and pursuing genuine love with Lawrence Selden.
The film’s depiction of early twentieth-century upper-class hypocrisy frames ostracism and class discrimination as chillingly systemic.
Films like The House of Mirth, and why
The Age of Innocence
shared themes of class constraint, social hypocrisy, forbidden romantic feeling, and tragic period drama
Portrait of a Lady
shared focus on a socially restricted woman, upper-class performance, and melancholic romantic disappointment in a historical setting
The Remains of the Day
shared literary period drama, oppressive social codes, and emotionally devastating love story
Anna Karenina
shared themes of social exclusion, class discrimination, and doomed romantic longing in turn-of-the-century society
Movie Details
- Director
- Terence Davies
- Release Date
- 2000-10-13
- Runtime
- 140 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (91)
Cast
- Gillian Anderson
- Dan Aykroyd
- Eleanor Bron
- Terry Kinney
- Anthony LaPaglia
- Laura Linney
- Jodhi May
- Elizabeth McGovern
- Eric Stoltz
- Penny Downie
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The House of Mirth about?
- A socially precarious New York beauty navigates money, gossip, and romantic longing as the rules of high society close around her.
- What is The House of Mirth like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The House of Mirth as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The House of Mirth violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The House of Mirth.
- What did critics think of The House of Mirth?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a powerful, visually refined literary period drama whose depiction of social cruelty remains emotionally gripping and relevant.
- Which films are like The House of Mirth?
- Films with a similar feel include The Age of Innocence, Portrait of a Lady, The Remains of the Day, and Anna Karenina.
- How long is The House of Mirth?
- The House of Mirth runs 140 minutes.
- Where can I watch The House of Mirth?
- In United States, The House of Mirth streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
