Martha Marcy May Marlene

A young women (Elizabeth Olsen) caught between a cult life and her attempt on returning to reality. It appears she has spent the past 2 years being brainwashed on a cult farm. One day she decides it's time to run away. But where? Reluctantly, she calls her estranged sister (Sarah Paulson) and recently married husband (Hugh Dancy), who invite her to their Connecticut house, in hopes of finding out about Martha.


There are many (maybe too may) flashbacks about Martha's life on the cult farm. But we never find out about her past life or why she ends up on the cult farm. I believe the intent of the story is a study in the psychology of one's identity. It's about a woman who finds it harder and harder to separate the two lives.


Olsen offers an Oscar worthy nomination performance, with a role not easy to define. John Hawkes plays the creepy (and good) cult leader. There are some shortcomings. I didn't particularly care how the film was structured.



Elizabeth Olsen 4.5/5 stars

Film: 4/5 stars




Jack