Overview
A vibrant summer in 1959 Sydney reveals the transformative power of friendship and ambition.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- hopeful
- lazy sunday
- comfort viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an entertaining and nuanced Australian period drama that uses fashion and social observation to explore immigration, integration, and female empowerment.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Lisa begins as a suburban schoolgirl and gains independence, confidence, and perspective through her department-store job.
The department store's dresses and fashion culture embody changing class expectations, femininity, and postwar modernity.
Magda, Rudi, and the European presence at the store broaden Lisa's worldview while foregrounding integration and opportunity.
The large Sydney department store brings Lisa together with saleswomen, customers, and immigrants across social divisions.
Films like Ladies in Black, and why
The Dressmaker
shared coming-of-age story, female friendship, social change, and warm period setting
A Place to Call Home
shared Australian period setting, class tensions, romance, and witty dramatic tone
The Devil Wears Prada
shared female-centered workplace setting, fashion, ambition, and social transformation
Brooklyn
shared youthful self-discovery, female empowerment, and uplifting ensemble drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Bruce Beresford
- Release Date
- 2018-10-18
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (206)
Cast
- Rachael Taylor
- Julia Ormond
- Angourie Rice
- Ryan Corr
- Nicholas Hammond
- Vincent Perez
- Shane Jacobson
- Susie Porter
- Noni Hazlehurst
- Luke Pegler
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Ladies in Black about?
- A sheltered Sydney schoolgirl discovers independence, friendship, fashion, and a changing society during a summer behind the counters of a department store.
- What is Ladies in Black like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ladies in Black as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Ladies in Black violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Ladies in Black.
- What did critics think of Ladies in Black?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an entertaining and nuanced Australian period drama that uses fashion and social observation to explore immigration, integration, and female empowerment.
- Which films are like Ladies in Black?
- Films with a similar feel include The Dressmaker, A Place to Call Home, The Devil Wears Prada, and Brooklyn.
- How long is Ladies in Black?
- Ladies in Black runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Ladies in Black?
- In United States, Ladies in Black streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
