The Tale

2018

1 hr. 54 min.

Drama

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List

99%

81 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Jennifer has it all, with a loving boyfriend and a great career as a journalist and professor. But when her mother discovers a story - "The Tale" - that Jennifer wrote when she was 13, detailing a special relationship Jennifer had with two adult coaches, Jennifer returns to the Carolina horse farm where the events transpired to try to reconcile her version of events with the truth.

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Premiered Apr 27

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Critics Consensus

The Tale handles its extraordinarily challenging subject matter with sensitivity, grace, and the power of some standout performances led by a remarkable Laura Dern.

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Steve D

I am not crazy about the structure but the cast does great work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

Eric L

Zero wasn't an option. Slow and boring. Skip the first 40 minutes and it might be good, that's about how long I lasted.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

Full Review

Aaron S

There's a heaviness to The Tale that is inescapable and suffocating. The reshaping of Jennifer Fox's memory as it comes into focus becomes more and more harrowing and she delves deeper. The sole breath of fresh air being reserved for its final moments accurately reflects the terror of the story and Laura Dern's confrontation scene with the Home Alone dad is exhilarating. I want very much for this to be as critical of a watch as it should be (and still really is) without feeling the need to point to its acting and tonal inconsistencies and made for tv-esque qualities. Despite what I found to be shortcomings in the viewing experience specifically, this true story is a devastating yet vital watch.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/10/23

Full Review

Michael S

It is one thing to speak about this kind of horror, it is something else entirely to attempt to make it look loving and romantic and presented with soft music. Can you seriously not see the difference? The movie is normalizing rape and grooming. On the other hand, Pedos will love it. If you like to watch romanticized scenes of grown men having sex with prepubescent girls, this is one for you.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

Ozitofer 9

Le pido a TODO EL MUNDO deshágase de HBO, HBO Max, HBO Mundi y todo lo relacionado con esta empresa. Están "NORMALIZANDO y NATURALIZANDO" la PEDOFILIA. Si estas en contra de estos actos aberrantes, DESAFILIATE DE HBO Y DEJA DE SUBSIDIARLOS CON TU PAGO MENSUAL. CON LOS NIÑOS NO¡¡¡

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

Ellie F

What I liked most about this movie was the complexity of survivors of child abuse. I was married to a man who was sexually abused by his father until he was about 8. He did not even know it was abuse until he was at a boy scout campout and the kids in the tent next door were talking about his father who was a scout leader. He broke up the relationship much the way the character in the movie did by telling his father to never touch him again and he never did. He did love his father though and, unfortunately, developed some of his cruelty, though he was brilliant and funny. I admire the honesty in this movie. I know the writer has not divulged the perpetrators, but I suspect they and others recognize who they are.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/23

Full Review

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Jennifer Fox

Director

Laura Dern

Jennifer

Elizabeth Debicki

Mrs. G

Laura Allen

Nadine

Jason Ritter

Bill

Ellen Burstyn

Nettie

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The Tale: Trailer 1

1:34

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Hannah Strong

Little White Lies

Jennifer Fox's autobiographical debut makes for harrowing but essential viewing.

Dec 19, 2018

Full Review

Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

For Fox, and for all of us, The Tale is a spot in time worth finding.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 27, 2018

Full Review

Verne Gay

Newsday

Jenny's reluctance to stare down the horror gives "The Tale" an ineluctable psychological power.

Aug 23, 2018

Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Laura Dern, Common, Isabelle Nélisse, Burstyn, Debicki and Ritter all give strong, convincing, performances in this film, creating these strong relationships between these diverse characters. This is a powerful drama, well written, directed and acted.

Rated: A

Feb 18, 2023

Full Review

Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

...that she will always be damaged and telling herself a story to cope.

Rated: 78/100

Aug 22, 2021

Full Review

Milana Vujkov

Lola On Film

On how abuse comes not in the guise of the obviously monstrous, but through the beautiful, deceitful object of affection.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 29, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

Jennifer has it all, with a loving boyfriend and a great career as a journalist and professor. But when her mother discovers a story - "The Tale" - that Jennifer wrote when she was 13, detailing a special relationship Jennifer had with two adult coaches, Jennifer returns to the Carolina horse farm where the events transpired to try to reconcile her version of events with the truth.

Director: Jennifer Fox
Executive Producer: Dan Cogan, Abigail Disney, Ali Jazayeri, Ben McConley
Screenwriter: Jennifer Fox
Production Co: One Two Films, Gamechanger Films, Blackbird Films, Untitled Entertainment
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 27, 2018
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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