She Said (2022)

She Said (2022), directed by Maria Schrader, is a powerful journalism drama based on real events. The film chronicles the New York Times investigation that exposed Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s long history of sexual abuse and misconduct. This film, adapted from the 2019 book by reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, showcases the painstaking efforts behind the reporting that helped ignite the #MeToo movement.

Detailed Summary

The Seed of a Scandal

The story begins with journalist Megan Twohey (Carey Mulligan), fresh off reporting on sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump, struggling with postpartum depression and the emotional weight of her work. Meanwhile, Jodi Kantor (Zoe Kazan) begins to look into rumors of Harvey Weinstein’s misconduct at his studio, Miramax, and later The Weinstein Company.

The narrative establishes the toxic culture of silence in Hollywood, where powerful men operate without accountability, and victims are silenced through NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and legal threats. Jodi starts by reaching out to actresses and former employees, many of whom are reluctant or afraid to go on the record.

Resistance and Silence

The film carefully portrays the reluctance of sources to speak out—fearing career damage, retribution, or retraumatization. However, Jodi uncovers a troubling pattern: settlements paid out to former assistants, and a string of similar stories spanning decades. Megan, who returns to work, joins the investigation, and the two begin to uncover more layers of Weinstein’s systemic abuse, including tactics used to silence victims.

They travel to multiple countries, speak with lawyers, investigate internal documents, and try to persuade women like Laura Madden, Rowena Chiu, and Zelda Perkins to share their stories. The movie emphasizes how journalism can push for justice even when legal avenues fail.

The Turning Point

A major breakthrough comes when actress Ashley Judd agrees to go on the record. Another turning point is when the reporters uncover a smoking-gun document: a memo from a former Weinstein employee detailing her experiences, which had been buried within The Weinstein Company.

The Times team—led by editors like Rebecca Corbett (Patricia Clarkson) and Dean Baquet (Andre Braugher)—carefully prepares the article, ensuring every claim is corroborated. The film heightens the tension around the timing, accuracy, and legal risks of publishing.

Movie Ending

The movie culminates in the publication of the article. In the final scenes, Jodi and Megan receive confirmation from their editors that the piece is ready to go live. Megan sends an email to Harvey Weinstein’s team for comment, giving them one final opportunity to respond. Weinstein attempts to meet with the editors in person but ultimately fails to stop the piece.

The final moments are quietly powerful. As the reporters sit at their desks, they hit “publish,” sending the article live on the New York Times website. A montage of reactions—phone calls ringing, emails flooding in, readers engaging—signals the article’s immediate impact.

Text on screen informs the audience that Weinstein was eventually convicted and sentenced to prison, and that the investigation sparked the global #MeToo movement, which led to a cultural reckoning across industries.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, She Said does not have any post-credits scenes. The film ends on a grounded and sober note, emphasizing real-world consequences rather than fictional embellishments. Once the text summarizing the fallout from the article appears, the credits roll without any additional footage or scenes.

Type of Movie

She Said is a biographical drama, journalism thriller, and social justice film. It’s akin to movies like Spotlight (2015) or All the President’s Men (1976) in its focus on investigative reporting and its impact on systemic abuse and power.

Cast

• Carey Mulligan as Megan Twohey
• Zoe Kazan as Jodi Kantor
• Patricia Clarkson as Rebecca Corbett
• Andre Braugher as Dean Baquet
• Jennifer Ehle as Laura Madden
• Angela Yeoh as Rowena Chiu
• Samantha Morton as Zelda Perkins
• Ashley Judd as herself (portraying her real-life role in the investigation)

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Nicholas Britell, known for his subtle, emotionally intelligent compositions (Succession, Moonlight). The music in She Said is intentionally understated, designed to enhance tension and gravitas without overshadowing the story.

Filming Locations

She Said was filmed primarily in New York City, using actual New York Times offices to lend realism. Some scenes were shot in Brooklyn and Manhattan, including restaurants and public places where real interviews took place. These locations are integral to grounding the film in the tangible world of investigative journalism.

Awards and Nominations

Though not a major awards-sweeper, She Said was well received critically and earned several nominations:

• Critics’ Choice Awards – Nominated for Best Acting Ensemble
• Women Film Critics Circle Awards – Winner, Best Equality of the Sexes
• British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) – Nominated for Best International Independent Film
• BAFTA Longlists – Recognized in multiple categories but did not secure final nominations

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Maria Schrader insisted on using real New York Times locations to preserve authenticity.
• Ashley Judd plays herself, making her one of the few real-life figures to portray their role in a film about their own story.
• Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan spent time shadowing the real Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor to capture their personalities and work dynamics.
• Many of the female crew members found working on the film emotionally moving due to personal connections with the subject matter.
• The filmmakers worked closely with the real journalists and survivors to ensure accuracy and sensitivity.

Inspirations and References

She Said is based on the non-fiction book “She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement“ by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. The book itself is a firsthand account of the investigation and includes interviews, notes, and insights not included in the film. The movie takes direct inspiration from this book while dramatizing key moments for cinematic effect.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no publicly known alternate endings. The film’s ending is consistent with the actual timeline of events. However, some scenes that expanded on secondary characters and deeper newsroom dynamics were reportedly cut to maintain narrative focus on the two lead reporters and the survivors’ stories.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is a direct adaptation of the book She Said but is necessarily more condensed. The book provides more detailed context about Weinstein’s reach and the legal battles that followed. The film focuses more tightly on the journalistic process and the emotional toll on reporters and sources.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The interview with Zelda Perkins in London, revealing Weinstein’s pattern of NDAs.
• Megan Twohey confronting a Weinstein lawyer, challenging the moral implications of silencing survivors.
• Jodi Kantor meeting Laura Madden, who speaks openly about her abuse for the first time.
• Ashley Judd agreeing to go on the record—an emotional and pivotal moment.
• The final moment when the article is published, marking the beginning of massive change.

Iconic Quotes

• “Will you go on the record?”
• “The only way these women will ever tell their stories is if they’re heard together.”
• “This is bigger than Weinstein. This is about the system.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Real audio recordings from Weinstein’s victims were recreated word-for-word, matching actual investigative evidence.
• Subtle cameos from real journalists appear as extras in the newsroom scenes.
• The film includes screenshots of actual email exchanges between Weinstein’s legal team and the Times—recreated verbatim.

Trivia

• Ashley Judd’s participation as herself was confirmed late in production and kept quiet until the trailer release.
• The film premiered at the New York Film Festival in 2022 and received a standing ovation.
• Director Maria Schrader is best known for her Emmy-winning work on Unorthodox.
• The film was intentionally released five years after the original NYT article, marking its anniversary.

Why Watch?

If you’re interested in real-life journalism, social justice, or films that hold power accountable, She Said is essential viewing. It’s not only an important film about truth and courage but also a tense, emotionally resonant drama that pays tribute to survivors and the journalists who risked everything to give them a voice.

Director’s Other Works

• I’m Your Man (2021)
• Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe (2016)

Recommended Films for Fans

• Spotlight (2015)
• The Post (2017)
• Bombshell (2019)
• All the President’s Men (1976)
• Official Secrets (2019)