The Tale

Play trailer

1:34

The Tale

2018

1h 54m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

81 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

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.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Hannah Strong

Little White Lies

12/19/2018

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

Go to Full Review

Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

08/27/2018

3/4

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

Go to Full Review

Verne Gay

Newsday

08/23/2018

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

Go to Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

02/18/2023

A

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.

Go to Full Review

Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

08/22/2021

78/100

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

Go to Full Review

Milana Vujkov

Lola On Film

07/29/2021

4/5

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

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Anne G

@RT91234357 Sep 19

It’s hard to watch, but it must be watched: the moments of disturbance and how the victim tries inconsistently to hide what happened to her. It’s sad, but sadly a reality. The Tale portrays this with honesty and courage, leaving the viewer shaken but deeply aware.

See more

C G.

@cg5051 Jul 13

Hard watch but a must watch

See more

Alain E

@AlainE Jul 6

Some movies are unloved by the critics like the recent Alto Knights and other like this wannabe serious movie get 99% approval. Soon after the opening scene we see the adult protagonist having sex wearing a bra! You don’t want to show the breasts of an actress is understandable, but showing adults having sex wearing underwear is ridiculous. Then the actress chosen to represent Laura Dern as adolescent has no resemblance.

See more

Irene R

@RT46989372 01/29/2025

Unflinching account of a young girls past. Difficult watch at times. Laura Dern is phenomenal.

See more

Steve D

@RT35616104 02/07/2024

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

See more

Eric L

@RT45525928 12/25/2023

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.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jennifer Fox

Director

Laura Dern

Jennifer

Elizabeth Debicki

Mrs. G

Laura Allen

Nadine

Jason Ritter

Bill

Ellen Burstyn

Nettie

Little Women

31%

68%

Little Women

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Little Women

Little Women

95%

92%

Little Women

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Little Women

God Bless the Broken Road

18%

77%

God Bless the Broken Road

Watchlist

TRAILER

for God Bless the Broken Road

Second Spring

80%

%

Second Spring

Watchlist

Who We Are Now

96%

70%

Who We Are Now

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Who We Are Now

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Tale: Trailer 1

1:34

View more videos

View more photos

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
Producer: Laura Rister, Jennifer Fox, Sol Bondy, Lawrence Inglee, Mynette Louie, Oren Moverman, Simone Pero, Regina K. Scully
Screenwriter: Jennifer Fox
Production Co: Blackbird Films, Untitled Entertainment, Gamechanger Films, One Two Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 27, 2018
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now