Based on the book by Miriam Toews and a real-life story, the Oscar-winning film Women Talking directed by Sarah Polley, follows the story of women living in an isolated Mennonite community. For years, they were mysteriously attacked in their sleep, before they discovered the source of the attacks. The women then work together to figure out what they will do: do nothing, stay and fight, or leave.

Women Talking is directed toward adults and teenagers, seeing as it covers themes of oppression, violence, and sexual assault.

A few of the women in this movie along with one man stand out as key characters, Greta (Sheila McCarthy), Salome (Claire Foy), Mariche (Jessie Buckley), Ona (Rooney Mara), and August (Ben Wishaw). These women along with some others hold many meetings throughout the film with the help of August before they make their final decision on what their next move will be.

The women spend most of the movie in the barn a setting that could easily become boring, however, they speak with such passion it’s enough to hold the audience’s attention and fully immerse viewers in the film. One of the women in particular, Ona, voices her opinions in such a captivating way that it’s hard to even look away from the screen.

Another thing that adds to this entrancement is the flashbacks that the characters experience. Although sudden and a little bit jarring, the flashbacks feel real, causing the audience to experience them along with the characters, adding a deeper layer of emotion and connection.

Sarah Polley did an astounding job at including appropriate amounts of realism, especially since this was based on a real story. The women spoke with a level of intelligence, independence, and emotion that truly represented how trapped they were. Although they all clearly harbored a deep resentment for their attackers, they had clearly been separated from society for a long time and followed their religion very strictly. Despite this, some parts were exaggerated, one specific example being their inclusion of a transgender character.

Women Talking does an incredible job of engaging the viewer as well as forging an emotional connection between them and the characters. There’s a narration to help guide you through the film, make it flow smoothly, and simultaneously give the story a deeper meaning. Despite this, one of the major flaws of the film was a lack of introduction to the community/characters. Viewers are immediately thrust into the middle of a story, can be confusing for a portion of the beginning of the film, creating a need to reorient and catch up.

Despite a slightly confusing middle and beginning, the end of the film ties it all together in a beautiful way. Throughout the movie, there’s an almost unbearable tension that grows as it progresses. A large portion of the end of the movie is incredibly stressful, and the feeling is enhanced by an intense montage. However, at the very end of the movie, everything seems to calm suddenly and the tension breaks to create an intriguing ending that leaves you wanting more.

The Women Talking cast was successfully able to execute an emotional film on such an emotional subject, while still making it engaging and entertaining for the viewer. They were able to add many layers of deeper meanings throughout the movie and build emotional connections between each of the characters. However, the beginning of the film was very overwhelming and confusing and this confusion overpowered the beginning and some of the middle of the movie for me.

Women Talking shows that it’s possible for anyone to work together, especially during times of desperation.