Promising Young Woman (2020)

What the critics said

Rotten Tomatoes reports a 90% approval rating as of August 2024, alongside an average score of 8.1 from January 2023. Metacritic assigns a 72 out of 100, a figure that signals generally favorable reviews. Critics praised Carey Mulligan’s performance and Emerald Fennell’s direction, noting the film’s willingness to subvert the rape-revenge genre. Kate Erbland of IndieWire called the result "fresh and totally wild." Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times found the finale "both audacious and uncertain of itself." The film later drew scrutiny over its tone and feminist credentials, with some observers debating its impact. It has since entered academic discussions about post-#MeToo cinema. The debate keeps the movie alive in ways the opening credits never promised.