Charlie Says

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2:16

Charlie Says

R

2019

1h 50m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

59%

Tomatometer

73 Reviews

68%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Years after the shocking murders that made the name Charles Manson synonymous with pure evil, the three women who killed for him -- Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins -- remain under the spell of the infamous cult leader. Confined to an isolated cellblock, the trio seem destined to live out the rest of their lives under the delusion that their crimes were part of a cosmic plan, until an empathetic graduate student attempts to rehabilitate them.

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Critics Consensus

Charlie Says approaches its infamous subject from a welcome new angle, but suffers from a disappointing lack of depth in its treatment of the story.

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Anne Cohen

Refinery29

Oct 23, 2019

Charlie Says makes a strong case for an even grayer area: That perhaps these women can be victims and guilty of horrific, unpardonable crimes. It's an unsettling thought. But at least, unlike the exaltation of Ted Bundy's abundant charm, it's a new one.

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Madeline Whittle

Film Comment Magazine

Jul 17, 2019

Harron's film is at its most thoughtful, and its most useful, in moments where it presents itself as an exploration of young women in thrall to a charismatic, deeply egotistical leader who thrives on their willing submission.

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David Fear

Rolling Stone

May 11, 2019

3/5

If nothing else, Charlie Says puts Van Houten in the center of her own story. Look at her game, girl.

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Serena Seghedoni

Loud and Clear Reviews

Aug 12, 2023

4/5

Charlie Says will surprise you, shock you, move you and make you change your mind several times.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 2, 2022

3.5/4

Harron's thoughtful, psychologically complex approach to films about killers and pinup models have a way of undermining the subject's inherent salaciousness.

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Sara Century

Manor Vellum

Feb 24, 2021

A+

The most relevant of the Manson Family films.

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Bumble - B

@bumble-bee Aug 17, 2025

This is a weak attempt to rewrite history and make WOMEN sectarians the victims.To show the vile killers of psychopaths as victims while rewriting history is a brazen, vile manipulation.

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steve d

@RT35616104 Dec 6, 2022

Charlie is always a fascinating monster, but the script isn't as good as many other films on the subject.

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Jeffrey P

@vanillavoodoo1 Jan 23, 2022

Take it or leave it, this is about the Manson girls and part of their side of the story. Given that, the story does feel like it has holes in it and is not exactly what is expected.

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smiley v

@Smiley_Virus Jan 19, 2022

Gilly and Doctor Who get their freaky freak on in this the millionth retelling of the Manson Family murders. I like that it's told from the family members, specifically the three women who acted as Charlie's fingers during the Tate-LaBianca murders. Who says you can't flog a dead horse? Or hippy? The dark side of California Dream and the hippy "we're creating a new world man" movement rears its spun-out head again and it's still entertaining though not as edifying as it could have been. Charlie is only what's inside of all of you. Well maybe not all of us.

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Apr 17, 2020

A watchable drama on the Manson Family crimes, but I thought it could have been better. (First and only viewing - 4/6/2020)

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Mar 7, 2020

LEARNED ALOT FROM THIS MOVIE

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Mary Harron

Director

Matt Smith

Charles Manson

Hannah Murray

Leslie Van Houten

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Annabeth Gish

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Charlie Says: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Years after the shocking murders that made the name Charles Manson synonymous with pure evil, the three women who killed for him -- Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel and Susan Atkins -- remain under the spell of the infamous cult leader. Confined to an isolated cellblock, the trio seem destined to live out the rest of their lives under the delusion that their crimes were part of a cosmic plan, until an empathetic graduate student attempts to rehabilitate them.

Director: Mary Harron
Producer: John Frank Rosenblum, Jeremy M. Rosen, Cindi Rice
Screenwriter: Guinevere Turner
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: IFC Films, Epic Level Entertainment
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Drug Use|Disturbing Violent Content|Language|Strong Sexuality)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 10, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 19, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $46.9K
Runtime: 1h 50m

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