Martha Marcy May Marlene

3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)
In her stunning feature film debut, Elizabeth Olsen delivers an electrifying, star-is-born performance in this gripping psychological thriller that is far and away one of the year's best! After escaping from a dangerous cult and the watchful eye of its charismatic leader (Academy Award Nominee John Hawkes), a young woman ... named Martha (Olsen) tries to reclaim a normal life with her family. But the haunting memories from Martha's past trigger a chilling paranoia -- and nowhere seems safe as the fragile line between her reality and delusions begin to blur.
  • Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Christopher Abbott
  • Directed by: Fox
  • Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
  • Release year: 2010
  • Studio: FOX
 
 
 
 

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Martha Marcy May Marlene

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Product Details
Synopsis: In her stunning feature film debut, Elizabeth Olsen delivers an electrifying, star-is-born performance in this gripping psychological thriller that is far and away one of the year's best! After escaping from a dangerous cult and the watchful eye of its charismatic leader (Academy Award Nominee John Hawkes), a young woman named Martha (Olsen) tries to reclaim a normal life with her family. But the haunting memories from Martha's past trigger a chilling paranoia -- and nowhere seems safe as the fragile line between her reality and delusions begin to blur.
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Christopher Abbott
Supporting actors: Brady Corbet, Hugh Dancy, Maria Dizzia, Julia Garner
Directed by: Sean Durkin
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 2010
Studio: FOX
MPAA Rating: Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, nudity and language
ASIN: B007BLDFWG
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Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: January 01, 2011
  • MPAA: Rated R for disturbing violent and sexual content, nudity and language
  • Production Company: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Cunningham & Maybach Films, Maybach Film Productions, FilmHaven Entertainment, BorderLine Films
  • Filming Locations: Tennanah Lake, Roscoe, New York, USA | New York, USA | Livingston Manor, New York, USA | Catskill Mountains, New York, USA

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
77 of 85 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Trauma that Bridges Past and Present January 15, 2012
Format:Blu-ray
Martha Marcy May Marlene marks the debut of two talents, the director, Sean Durkin, and the actress, Elizabeth Olsen. Both actor and director show a kind of assured performance that seems relegated to those who are either new to a scene, when talent has been building up for some time and only now has had a chance to unveil itself, or to older creative types, who have enough success behind them that they no longer fear failure (the in-between is usually the tricky part). Elizabeth Olsen (and here I'm required to tell you that she is the younger sister to the famed Full House Olsen twins) plays Martha, a girl who has spent an indeterminate amount of time in a cult hidden away in upstate New York. She eventually flees the confines of the commune and is taken in by her sister and brother-in-law who own a spacious lake house in Connecticut.

From here the film is divided into two narratives, one chronicling Martha's ordeal in the Manson-like collective and the other detailing her return to polite society at her sister's place. We learn from the former narrative that the cult takes in runaways and is overseen by a charismatic leader, Patrick, played by John Hawkes. While the cult members bandy about pseudo-New Wave jargon, we hear talk of energies, the specific philosophy of the cult remains vague. As one might expect, Patrick has intimate access to most of the women, as do the other men on the compound, to varying degrees. The cult members share duties taking care of children and tending to a garden, and they hope one day to go fully off the grid.

The second narrative follows Martha as she attempts to reconnect with her sister Lucy and return to normalcy. For Martha, the lake house is an even more foreign world than the cult. She still plays by the rules set up for her by Patrick.
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56 of 68 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
A young woman called Marcy May (played by newcomer Elizabeth Olsen, remember her name) flees from an abusive cult and calls her sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson) to pick her up. Her sister, who calls her Martha, hasn't seen her in over a year and finds Martha deliberately vague about where she has been. Lucy brings her to the large home she shares with her husband Ted (Hugh Dancy) and Martha's time in the cult is revealed through intercut flashbacks. Branded Marcy May by Patrick (John Hawkes), the charismatic leader, the commune consists of few men and many women, most from troubled backgrounds. The women are assigned individual duties, but the one they all share is to sleep with Patrick. The film wisely avoids giving too many details about the cult itself and what its basis is, but fills in all the necessary details otherwise.

This 2011 indie thriller marks the debut of writer/director Sean Durkin who has fashioned a quiet, powerful psychological drama that introduces the world to a terrific new actress. Elizabeth Olsen, the younger sister of two very famous twins, turns in a bold, Oscar-caliber piece of acting that allows her to successfully break from the stigma of having world-famous siblings. She's a remarkable talent and establishes her own niche as an actress, becoming a star on her own terms. The film is strong on its own merits, but, once you've seen it, it's hard to forget Olsen and even easier to forget her famous sisters.

This is a terrific debut for Durkin. Labeled as a thriller, it moves in a low-key fashion that doesn't go for easy "thrills" and instead opts for a deeply unsettling tone. The story, which uses shifting timelines in an intentionally disorienting way, never clues you in to where it's heading, but holds your attention rapt getting there.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Amazon Instant Video|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am not a clinician, although to me this has got so many elements of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, if anyone may be wondering what happens to a person who has been traumatized. Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) shows the symptoms of: 'flashbacks', dissociative states of mind and patterns, paranoia, emotional blunting, etc...This looks like a classic case of it, brought on throughout the cult life she was 'shocked' in repeatedly. It may have been started in her earlier in life, although definitely became full-blown with the horrid way she was treated in this cult.

Martha is renamed "Marcy May" by Patrick (John Hawkes who is brilliant in this role), who heads up this communal cult, upon arrival with her new friend Zoe (Louisa Krause). They are located in the Catskill Mountains in a very densely wooded area. As is typical with cults, the women remain subservient to the men and are made to have sex with Patrick, in this case, and the other male cult members also. Patrick has a haunting likeness to Charles Manson, even the cult activities are reminiscent of that group.

Martha is able to escape into the woods during the early morning hours, and takes off running for her life. She begins to be followed by a member in a chase down, although eventually gets herself into a small town and on a phone to her sister Lucy (Sarah Paulson). Martha is quickly picked up, after trying to identify where she even is, by her sister and taken to the home she shares with husband Ted (Hugh Dancy). This is where the movie quickly gains pace and Martha begins to unravel.

Martha is confused, traumatized and caught between her past cult life and the present. She is washed in inappropiate behavior and her sister is trying constantly, through questioning, to find out what has happened to Martha.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Eerie and atmospheric
The film manages to create a particular atmosphere and haunting quality that is palpable. While I'm not much for scary films, this one is ok because it's more about the suspense. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Chef
5.0 out of 5 stars what can i say
i thought the acting all around was great with elizabeth olson, john hawks, sara paulson. i really enjoyed the movie because it showed how a fragile mind can get so twisted how... Read more
Published 21 days ago by drexl25
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
Haunting film that will stays with you. I watched it three times and learned something new everytime. I would highly recommend.
Published 28 days ago by Allison
3.0 out of 5 stars Not the greatest.
It almost seemed like the story should have started where it ended. I am sure some will like, but it left me wanting more.
Published 28 days ago by Janet Chiappini
4.0 out of 5 stars An intense film.
Martha Marcy May Marlene starring Elizabeth Olsen is an interesting film, even though the ending is a little bit of a letdown. Read more
Published 1 month ago by ADRIENNE MILLER
5.0 out of 5 stars loved it!!
dealer sent it to me with god speed!! that was seriously excellent!! It was packaged in a very safely sensable manner. i have to recommend this dealer!!
Published 1 month ago by klpcupid
5.0 out of 5 stars Intense
This was such a great movie. The whole cast was phenomenal. If you are looking for easy answers and a neat ending you may not enjoy this kind of movie. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Persephone Huffman
2.0 out of 5 stars Great acting/Horrible ending!
The story is captivating and gains momentum throughout but comes to an abrupt and confusing ending as if the production crew ran out of film. The acting is superb. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Wine Me
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary story of a girl in limbo
The plot has been written about, so I'll just say that this movie is stunning. It slowly builds suspense and a foreboding of malice. Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. Cooper
3.0 out of 5 stars weird
Cultist chauvinistic male warps mind of impressionable young woman. Physical escape is easier than recovering mentally. Not everything is as it seems.
Published 2 months ago by Janice L. Rudolph
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