Bombshell
Women inside a powerful television network risk careers and reputations to expose a culture of sexual harassment at the top.
Overview
A powerful drama that exposes the dark underbelly of a major news network and the women who dare to challenge it.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- tense
- sardonic
- angry
- social issue film night
- discussion group viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found Bombshell timely and worthwhile, with a terrific cast and strong makeup work, but felt its sensationalistic surface and uncreative filmmaking limited its impact.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Women at Fox News confront a culture structured around Roger Ailes's power and retaliation.
Gretchen Carlson's lawsuit, Megyn Kelly's experience, and Kayla Pospisil's perspective form intersecting strands.
Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and John Lithgow are visually and behaviorally transformed into Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, and Roger Ailes.
Fox News anchors are evaluated through their bodies, clothing, on-air presentation, and perceived sexual appeal.
Films like Bombshell, and why
North Country
shared workplace harassment drama, true events, institutional power, and ensemble female performances
Spotlight
shared newsroom setting, investigative tension, institutional misconduct, and socially engaged drama
Erin Brockovich
shared women confronting entrenched workplace sexism, true-story basis, and determined performances
She Said
shared media industry power struggles, sexual abuse allegations, and contemporary ensemble drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Jay Roach
- Release Date
- 2019-12-13
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (3279)
Cast
- Charlize Theron
- Margot Robbie
- Nicole Kidman
- John Lithgow
- Allison Janney
- Malcolm McDowell
- Kate McKinnon
- Connie Britton
- Liv Hewson
- Jack Haven
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Prime Video, 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 Bombshell about?
- Women inside a powerful television network risk careers and reputations to expose a culture of sexual harassment at the top.
- What is Bombshell like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Bombshell as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Bombshell violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Bombshell.
- What did critics think of Bombshell?
- Critics broadly found Bombshell timely and worthwhile, with a terrific cast and strong makeup work, but felt its sensationalistic surface and uncreative filmmaking limited its impact.
- Which films are like Bombshell?
- Films with a similar feel include North Country, Spotlight, Erin Brockovich, and She Said.
- How long is Bombshell?
- Bombshell runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Bombshell?
- In United States, Bombshell streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
