X
  • 2020
  • R
  • Amazon Studios
  • 1 h 37 m
  • 2020
  • R
  • Amazon Studios
  • 1 h 37 m

Summary Single mother Sandra (Clare Dunne) escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, only to find herself trapped in temporary accommodation. After months of struggling, she draws inspiration from one of her daughter’s bedtime stories and hits upon the idea of self-building an affordable home. She finds an architect who provides h...

Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd

Written By: Clare Dunne, Malcolm Campbell

  • 2020
  • R
  • Amazon Studios
  • 1 h 37 m
  • 2020
  • R
  • Amazon Studios
  • 1 h 37 m

Herself

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 23 Critic Reviews
70
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 8 User Ratings
7.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Single mother Sandra (Clare Dunne) escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, only to find herself trapped in temporary accommodation. After months of struggling, she draws inspiration from one of her daughter’s bedtime stories and hits upon the idea of self-building an affordable home. She finds an architect who provides h...

Directed By: Phyllida Lloyd

Written By: Clare Dunne, Malcolm Campbell

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 23 Critic Reviews
70
74% Positive
17 Reviews
26% Mixed
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 23 Critic Reviews
70
74% Positive
17 Reviews
26% Mixed
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Jan 26, 2020
Many filmmakers mistakenly think that exploiting tragedy is the way to jerk tears from their audience, when in fact, gestures of spontaneous kindness shown by near-strangers can be most moving — something Lloyd understands, boosting the positive energy with anthems like “Chandelier” and “Bulletproof.”
By Peter Debruge FULL REVIEW
83
Jan 25, 2020
Lloyd’s feature strikes a fine balance between all of life’s ups and downs, illustrated by Sandra’s unfortunately relatable traumas and a series of stellar performances.
By Kate Erbland FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 8 User Ratings
7.3
88% Positive
7 Ratings
13% Mixed
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 8 User Ratings
7.3
88% Positive
7 Ratings
13% Mixed
1 Rating
0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

80
Jan 7, 2021
Dunne's performance is quietly assured; Sandra's strength may waver, but it never falters. You root for her. You root for the movie, something that Lloyd purposely makes difficult to do at times. That’s going to throw some people, no doubt. But she resists easy resolution, making “Herself” a satisfying experience.
By Bill Goodykoontz FULL REVIEW
75
Oct 18, 2020
Regardless of missteps with the ending, the majority of Herself is soulful and empathetic enough to do justice to its subject, doing the important job of reminding audiences everywhere how important community truly is for survivors.
FULL REVIEW
63
Jan 12, 2021
The film, earthy and sober, refuses to be carried aloft by sentiment, instead navigating a difficult and painful path toward self-preservation and renewal.
By Jake Coyle FULL REVIEW
60
Dec 30, 2020
That silver-lining nature is also what keeps “Herself” from entirely distinguishing itself, too often leaving an admittedly powerful story about female fortitude to rely on schematics and clichés instead of the accumulated impact of its many well-played human details.
By Robert Abele FULL REVIEW
40
Sep 11, 2021
The film’s abrupt tonal shifts are jarring.
By Simran Hans FULL REVIEW
See All 23 Critic Reviews

Details

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Production Company BBC Film, British Film Institute (BFI), Element Pictures, Fís Éireann / Screen Ireland, Merman
Release Date Dec 30, 2020
Duration 1 h 37 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline Life under construction.
Website https://www.herself.film/
View All Details

Awards

Irish Film and Television Awards
• 1 Win & 6 Nominations
Dublin International Film Festival
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards
• 2 Nominations

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