The Beguiled (2017)

The Beguiled (2017) is a slow-burning, atmospheric drama-thriller set in Virginia during the waning years of the American Civil War. When a wounded Union corporal is found by a young pupil and brought to Miss Martha Farnsworth’s small, almost deserted girls’ school, the arrival of this handsome outsider quietly upends life at the isolated seminary. What begins as an act of compassion spirals into a tense game of desire, power and suspicion as the matriarch, a teacher, and the remaining students vie for control and attention. Watching the film, you’ll experience a taut, claustrophobic mood: lush, sun-dappled Southern landscapes and elegant period details contrast with an escalating undercurrent of erotic tension and moral ambiguity. The story unfolds deliberately, emphasizing small gestures, charged silences and simmering rivalries over overt action. The wounded soldier’s charm and manipulative instincts unsettle the household’s fragile hierarchy, and the women’s reactions—ranging from protector to seductress to avenger—drive a mounting sense of betrayal and consequence. Expect a visually rich, character-focused drama that blends seduction and menace. The film is less about battlefield spectacle and more about intimate psychological conflict: it leaves you feeling uneasy, intrigued, and emotionally unsettled as loyalties fracture and hidden desires surface. If you appreciate moody period pieces with strong performances, refined cinematography and a tension that builds to morally complicated choices, The Beguiled delivers a haunting, memorable experience.

Actors: Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning

Director: Sofia Coppola

Runtime: 93 min

Genres: Drama, Thriller, War

5.8 /10 77 /100 6.3 /10 6.6 /10