Review: ‘Women Talking’ is a thoughtful, complicated gem

Chris Hewitt Star Tribune

There is a lot of injustice in the world, “Women Talking” admits, but there are small, hopeful things we can do to make it a better place.

Based on Miriam Toews’ electrifying novel, my favorite movie of 2022 is set in the hayloft of a barn. A bunch of women — who recently learned the men in their patriarchal community drugged and assaulted them while they slept — are deciding between three possibilities: Do nothing, stay and fight or leave (a chart represents their options with pictograms because their religion forbids women to read or write, lest they dare to interpret the Bible).

‘WOMEN TALKING’

****

Rated: PG-13 (for mature thematic content including sexual assault, bloody images, and some strong language)

Running time: 1:44

How to watch: Opening at the Roxy, Friday, Jan. 27

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“Women Talking” is a microcosm — a very small one, since we never see the women leave their patch of land — but it stands for larger problems, including injustice inflicted on women by men. It’s tough stuff and even though the brutality is not shown, it’s not easy to hear

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