Erin Brockovich
An outspoken unemployed mother turns a chance law-office job into a relentless campaign for poisoned residents confronting a powerful corporation.
Overview
A determined woman takes on a powerful corporation to seek justice for a community.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- determined
- warm
- inspirational movie night
- social justice film night
What critics said
Critics broadly agreed that Julia Roberts's charismatic performance and the film's smart, funny legal-drama storytelling outweigh some predictable plot and character elements.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Erin begins as an unemployed single mother with no legal training yet becomes central to the investigation and class action.
The Hinkley community is poisoned by hexavalent chromium illegally dumped by Pacific Gas & Electric.
Erin's earthy manners and unconventional appearance initially discredit her, but become part of her forceful public identity.
The film centers on PG&E's quiet land purchases and concealment of toxic contamination.
Films like Erin Brockovich, and why
North Country
shared biographical drama format, determined outsider protagonist, social injustice, and strong lead performance
A Civil Action
shared legal drama framework, corporate wrongdoing, working-class communities, and environmental harm
The Insider
shared true-story courtroom advocacy, institutional corruption, and emotionally accessible mainstream drama
Norma Rae
shared female-centered empowerment narrative, witty dialogue, and perseverance against entrenched opposition
Movie Details
- Director
- Steven Soderbergh
- Release Date
- 2000-03-17
- Runtime
- 131 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (3773)
Cast
- Julia Roberts
- Albert Finney
- Aaron Eckhart
- Marg Helgenberger
- Cherry Jones
- Veanne Cox
- Conchata Ferrell
- Tracey Walter
- Peter Coyote
- Michael Harney
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling
- 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 Erin Brockovich about?
- An outspoken unemployed mother turns a chance law-office job into a relentless campaign for poisoned residents confronting a powerful corporation.
- What is Erin Brockovich like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Erin Brockovich as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Erin Brockovich violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Erin Brockovich.
- What did critics think of Erin Brockovich?
- Critics broadly agreed that Julia Roberts's charismatic performance and the film's smart, funny legal-drama storytelling outweigh some predictable plot and character elements.
- Which films are like Erin Brockovich?
- Films with a similar feel include North Country, A Civil Action, The Insider, and Norma Rae.
- How long is Erin Brockovich?
- Erin Brockovich runs 131 minutes.
- Where can I watch Erin Brockovich?
- In United States, Erin Brockovich is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling.
