Overview
A groundbreaking journey through the fight for gender equality in the legal system.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- inspirational
- sincere
- determined
- women’s history month
- inspirational movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film earnest, inspirational, and well acted, while considering its conventional biopic treatment less groundbreaking and less emotionally complex than its subject.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film follows Ruth Bader Ginsburg from law school through her early women’s-rights cases and eventual Supreme Court nomination.
Ginsburg strategically builds cases showing how sex-based laws harm both women and men.
Martin Ginsburg supports Ruth’s legal ambitions and shares domestic responsibilities during her professional ascent.
Repeated rejection from law firms and resistance from legal institutions are framed as obstacles Ruth methodically overcomes.
Films like On the Basis of Sex, and why
Erin Brockovich
inspirational biographical drama about a pioneering woman challenging entrenched institutional barriers
A Few Good Men
historical courtroom drama centered on principled legal advocacy and systemic injustice
The Iron Lady
uplifting political biopic about an influential figure whose career reshapes public life
The Young Victoria
earnest period biopic about a determined woman overcoming professional discrimination
Movie Details
- Director
- Mimi Leder
- Release Date
- 2018-12-25
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (1152)
Cast
- Felicity Jones
- Armie Hammer
- Justin Theroux
- Sam Waterston
- Kathy Bates
- Cailee Spaeny
- Callum Shoniker
- Jack Reynor
- Stephen Root
- Ronald Guttman
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is On the Basis of Sex about?
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg turns professional exclusion into a determined legal campaign for gender equality that will reshape American law.
- What is On the Basis of Sex like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of On the Basis of Sex as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is On the Basis of Sex violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in On the Basis of Sex.
- What did critics think of On the Basis of Sex?
- Critics generally found the film earnest, inspirational, and well acted, while considering its conventional biopic treatment less groundbreaking and less emotionally complex than its subject.
- Which films are like On the Basis of Sex?
- Films with a similar feel include Erin Brockovich, A Few Good Men, The Iron Lady, and The Young Victoria.
- How long is On the Basis of Sex?
- On the Basis of Sex runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch On the Basis of Sex?
- In United States, On the Basis of Sex streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
