Eileen (2023)

My Review

“Eileen” is a psychological drama about the life of a young secretary named Eileen Dunlop. The story covers her relationships with the people at her place of employment, and the sometimes abusive father she lives with at home. Director William Oldroyd put together an interesting film from a screenplay penned by Luke Goebel and Ottessa Moshfegh, adapted from Moshfegh’s 2015 novel of the same name.

The fascinating fact of this film is that it is well written and holds the viewers interest throughout the 98 minute running time, despite that absence of any “big event” to shock the audience. Good performances abound in the movie from virtually all cast members, especially Thomasin McKenzie as Eileen and Shea Whigham as her father. Co-stars include Anne Hathaway, Owen Teague, Marin Ireland, Sam Nivola, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Tonye Patano, Peter McRobbie, Jefferson White, and Peter Von Berg as Dr. Fry.

“Eileen” was a flop in theatrical release as it is basically subject matter for the art house cinema, much to the chagrin of producers William Oldroyd and Luke Goebel, Fifth Season, Film4, Likely Story, Omniscient Films, Focus Features, and Universal Pictures.