The Tale

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1:34

The Tale

2018

1h 54m

Drama

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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.

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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.

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Hannah Strong

Little White Lies

Dec 19, 2018

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

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Robert Daniels

812filmreviews

Aug 27, 2018

3/4

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

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Verne Gay

Newsday

Aug 23, 2018

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

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Feb 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.

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Taylor Baker

Drink in the Movies

Aug 22, 2021

78/100

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

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Milana Vujkov

Lola On Film

Jul 29, 2021

4/5

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

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R L.

@RL2025 May 27, 2026

the things that happen to little girls is so awful. i don’t know. single female that doesn’t have some story of an adult being inappropriate or worse. It will make you cry for the little girl that has to endure that.

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Anne G

@RT91234357 Sep 19, 2025

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.

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C G.

@cg5051 Jul 13, 2025

Hard watch but a must watch

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Alain E

@AlainE Jul 6, 2025

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.

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Irene R

@RT46989372 Jan 29, 2025

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

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Steve D

@RT35616104 Feb 7, 2024

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

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Jennifer Fox

Director

Laura Dern

Jennifer

Elizabeth Debicki

Mrs. G

Laura Allen

Nadine

Jason Ritter

Bill

Ellen Burstyn

Nettie

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The Tale: Trailer 1

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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)

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