Wicked Little Letters (2024) Movie Review
In a comedy that evolves over time, a handful of wicked letters explores what it means to be a woman in small-town Britain in the 1920s.
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Plot Summary
In 1920, within a little town called Littlehampton, there has been a scandal! Edith Swan, a good Christian woman, has received the most vulgar letters. It is assumed her foul-mouthed and uncouth neighbor, Rose Gooding, is the culprit, and Edith’s father would second that.
But why would a woman, so direct vocally, whether interacting with women or men not only write a letter but spend the money to put it in the post? That’s the mystery Officer Moss plans to solve since everyone has written off Rose and is ready to send her to prison.
Character Guide
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Edith | Olivia Colman |
| Rose | Jessie Buckley |
| Edward | Timothy Spall |
| Officer Gladys Moss | Anjana Vasan |
| Nancy | Alisha Weir |
| Bill | Malachi Kirby |
Character Description(s)
Edith
Edith, a good Christian woman, sees herself as a very obedient girl who is social and has good graces. However, she also is someone without love in her life beyond that of friends and family.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.”
Rose
A brash, uninhibited, and bold Irish immigrant, Rose is almost everything Edith is not. This makes her an envious figure for she has found a place in the community without making herself small.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Men.”
Edward
Edward is Edith’s father who, with the changes happening in gender dynamics, doesn’t like the way the world is changing and not consulting those like him. So when it comes to women like Rose, they are seen as the problem and potential bad influences on his grown daughter Edith.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Changeover.”
Gladys Moss
Gladys Miss, a second-generation officer, is one of the first female officers of Littlehampton and finds herself largely relegated to matters affecting women, and when it doesn’t, she is silenced.
Nancy
Nancy is Rose’s daughter, who is rambunctious, loves playing Bill’s guitar, and follows her mom’s footsteps, which worries Rose sometimes.
Bill
Bill is a guitar player, Rose’s lover and partner, and a stepdad to Nancy.
Review
Good If You Like
- British humor
Similar To This
- Eileen: Due to Edith and Edward’s relationship mirroring Eileen and Edward
- My Brilliant Friend: Due to Edith’s envy of Rose having similarities to Elena and Lila
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Notable Performances or Moments
The Humor
What “Wicked Little Letters” loves more than anything is a bit of shock value. Whether it is the general misogyny, what’s written in the letters, and Edith’s reaction to them, or Rose’s mouth, antics, and Officer Moss, the film knows how to use subtlety and vulgarity to get a reaction out of the audience.
Now, you’d think this would get old. After all, men dismissing women’s opinions, people like Edward seeking to exert their last remaining bit of masculinity through dominance, and elaborately linked curse words and insults couldn’t possibly sustain a movie, right?
Wrong. While aspects feel familiar, whether it is the time period, actors, or writing, they remind you that what is old can feel new with the right talent behind it.
How It Depicts Different Relationship Dynamics
What also greatly helps “Wicked Little Letters” is that it isn’t purely a comedy. Through Edith’s reaction to all the press about her and the letters, her relationship with her dad, and even her relationship with Rose before the accusation, you see a sense of pain, envy, insecurity, and more.
Then, with Rose, you see beyond the exasperation of being accused. You see what little you have threatened despite the hard work you put into it. And the real kicker is, as tough as Rose seems, as free from opinions as she may act, it’s partly because she got tired of fighting. Hence, she wants more and better from her daughter and is devastated when it seems her partner Bill would leave her, or even her daughter Nancy.
Rose truly shows what it means to offer your true self when there is nothing else materially you could give. And the fear that, no matter the laughs and good times, it won’t be enough when times are hard, and you need them to love you when incapable of being their favorite clown.
On The Fence
If You Aren’t Great With British Dialect And Accents, You May Struggle At Times
“Wicked Little Letters” doesn’t deliver BBC English. The accents are thick, not modified to be charming, and, depending on your ear, may make you want a closed captioning device.
Background Information
| Film Length | 1 Hour 40 Minutes |
| Date Released | March 28, 2024 |
| Where To Watch | In Theaters |
| Director(s) | Thea Sharrock |
| Writer(s) | Jonny Sweet |
| Based On Work By | N/A |
| Genre(s) | Comedy |
| Content Rating | Rated R |
Content Information
- Dialog: Discriminatory Language, Cursing
- Violence: Blood, Fight Scenes
- Sexual Content: Nudity, Sexual Situations (Implied)
- Miscellaneous: Drinking, Smoking
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