Eileen premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023, receiving praise for its bold storytelling. Directed by William Oldroyd, known for his work on Lady Macbeth, the film brings to life the novel by Ottessa Moshfegh, who co-wrote the screenplay with her husband Luke Goebel. The movie stars Thomasin McKenzie as Eileen, who portrays a reserved, haunted woman with subtle brilliance, alongside Anne Hathaway, who plays Rebecca, the enigmatic psychologist with an almost predatory allure. Released in select theaters on December 1, 2023, before its wider expansion a week later, Eileen arrived to considerable buzz thanks to its powerhouse performances and its mix of psychological thrills and noir-inspired storytelling.
The plot of Eileen lures you in with the quiet desperation of its protagonist. Eileen works at a prison for young boys, where her mundane existence is punctuated only by dark fantasies and the suffocating presence of her father, a paranoid former chief of police. This is where the film starts its slow burn. Enter Rebecca Saint John—beautiful, confident, and seemingly everything Eileen wishes she could be. The friendship between the two women quickly escalates, with Rebecca drawing Eileen into a world that grows increasingly dangerous. Rebecca’s interest in an inmate, Lee Polk, triggers events that will see Eileen’s life turned upside down.
Tension mounts as the women’s bond deepens, and Rebecca's dark intentions come into focus. When she reveals her sinister plan involving Lee Polk’s mother, the movie dives headfirst into morally gray territory. Eileen’s fascination with Rebecca leads her to make shocking choices, culminating in a violent confrontation in the Polk family’s basement. The film keeps viewers hooked by slowly unraveling Rebecca’s manipulations, as Eileen becomes complicit in her dark machinations.
As the movie nears its end, it leaves you guessing what ultimate decisions Eileen will make—will she break free of Rebecca’s hold, or sink deeper into the web of lies and violence? The climax refuses to give easy answers, preferring to leave audiences unnerved as they watch Eileen’s transformation take hold. The blend of psychological manipulation, guilt, and obsession makes the plot unpredictable, ensuring that viewers remain on edge.
What sets Eileen apart from other psychological thrillers is its deliberate pacing and attention to emotional depth. Instead of relying on jump scares or conventional twists, the film thrives on the uncomfortable, slow-burning tension between its characters. The setting—bleak, wintry Massachusetts—isn’t just a backdrop but a mirror of Eileen’s internal isolation. The cinematography evokes a sense of claustrophobia and dread, pulling viewers into the protagonist’s cold, lonely world.
The film has garnered mostly positive critical responses, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 82% based on 190 reviews. Critics lauded the performances of McKenzie and Hathaway, with many calling it some of the best work of their careers. Some, like The Hollywood Reporter, praised the morbid humor and unsettling tone, while others, like The Guardian, noted that while the film’s oddity and darker moments shine, there was room for even more daring. The measured approach to its subject matter may leave some craving more immediate gratification, but for fans of psychological slow-burns, Eileen offers a rich, unsettling experience.
With a budget of around $15 million, Eileen is not a blockbuster, but its success lies in its compelling performances and atmosphere rather than box office numbers. After its wide release, it has earned a modest box office return, but its strength lies in the lasting impact it has on audiences. In conclusion, Eileen is a masterful psychological thriller that deftly explores obsession, isolation, and the dangerous allure of friendship in a bleak world. It’s not for the faint of heart but is a rewarding watch for those seeking something more twisted and introspective.