Hysteria
User Score
6.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 12 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12

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  1. MarcDoyle
    May 20, 2012
    7
    Just a fun, fun film. Rupert Everett is fantastic in a small role - his chemistry with High Dancy is excellent. It's an interesting film about women and the development of the vibrator, but it makes larger statements about the eventual women's movement. My primary issue with the film is that Maggie Gyllenhaal's character says things that a woman of her era obviously would not have. They took thoughts and statements of someone living 50 years later and stuck them in her head - which is fine, we can have a little artistic license now and then. It just felt forced and awkward here.… Expand
  2. TVJerry
    Jun 21, 2012
    6
    This fact-based film explores the birth of the vibrator. In the 1880s, women where often diagnosed with hysteria, which was treated by a doctor who masturbated them into contentment. After one popular young physician (Hugh Dancy) becomes immobilized by his overused hand, he stumbles upon the beneficial invention. It's obvious how every aspect of this story will play out after the first 10 minutes. So it's all about the execution. The direction is genteel with typical British aplomb and the performances are enjoyable. The standout is Maggie Gyllenhaal as the socially-conscious troublemaker. Overall, it's a mildly amusing, but undistinguished history lesson.… Expand
  3. GreatMartin
    Jun 11, 2012
    8
    Only the British could make a film about the invention of the vibrator and indicate women having orgasms without showing couples having sex or anyone being rude, or crude, using the â
  4. BrianMcCritic
    Apr 29, 2013
    7
    A well made and pretty funny movie. This is a movie I thought could be really cheesy but thankfully it hits more than it misses. I recommend you at least check this film out once.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
53 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: David Cox
    Sep 21, 2012
    40
    Gyllenhaal rises above the tedium; sadly, not far enough. Great English accent, though.
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  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Anna Smith
    Sep 17, 2012
    60
    Lightly humorous, well performed and not nearly as smutty as you might imagine. The earth may not move, but there are tingles of pleasure along the way.
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  3. New Orleans Times-Picayune
    Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    Jun 15, 2012
    60
    The joy of Hysteria, like the joy of certain other things, isn't necessarily rooted in the element of surprise. Rather, it's in the pleasure of the path taken to get to that crescendo.
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