Miller’s Girl
Movie Trailer
Release Date
January 26, 2024 (United States)
February 19, 2024 (United Kingdom)
Genre
Erotic Thriller
Cast & Crew
- Martin Freeman as Jonathan Albert Miller
- Jenna Ortega as Cairo Sweet
- Bashir Salahuddin as Boris Fillmore
- Gideon Adlon as Winnie Black
- Dagmara Domińczyk as Beatrice June Harker
- Christine Adams as Joyce Manor
Director
Jade Halley Bartlett
Producer
- Seth Rogen
- Evan Goldberg
- James Weaver
- Josh Fagen
- Mary-Margaret Kunze
Writer
Jade Halley Bartlett
Budget
$4 million
Production Company
- Good Universe
- Point Grey Pictures
Running Time
93 minutes
Languages
English
Maturity Rating
R
Content Advisory
- Sexual content
- Psychological manipulation
- Strong language
- Mature themes
Movie Story
Miller’s Girl is a gripping erotic thriller that delves into the complex and morally ambiguous relationship between Cairo Sweet (Jenna Ortega), an eighteen-year-old high school student, and her creative writing teacher, Jonathan Miller (Martin Freeman). Cairo, living alone in her affluent family’s Tennessee mansion while her parents are away, finds herself drawn to Miller, a frustrated writer whose own career has been overshadowed by his emotionally distant and more successful wife, Beatrice (Dagmara Domińczyk).
Cairo, struggling to write a college admission essay for Yale, becomes increasingly intrigued by the idea of a teacher-student affair, a notion encouraged by her best friend, Winnie (Gideon Adlon). As Cairo and Miller spend more time together, sharing their mutual love for literature and Tennesseean culture, their connection deepens. Cairo eventually seduces Miller, leading to a series of provocative and destructive events.
Their relationship takes a dark turn when Cairo submits an erotic short story based on their affair, which she later uses to expose Miller by sending it to the school’s vice principal, Joyce Manor (Christine Adams). The fallout is severe, with Miller facing suspension and the disintegration of his personal and professional life. Cairo, on the other hand, sees this as her “greatest achievement,” using the experience as the subject for her Yale essay, written in the style of Miller’s own book.
Special Effects
The film’s emphasis is on psychological tension rather than special effects, with a focus on moody lighting and intimate cinematography that heightens the unsettling atmosphere.
Box Office Performance
Miller’s Girl grossed $889,522 at the box office. Despite its modest earnings, the film garnered attention for its controversial subject matter and strong performances, particularly by Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman.
Filming Locations
- Cartersville, Georgia, USA
Notable Quotes
- “The greatest stories are the ones that leave a scar.” – Cairo Sweet
- “We all live in the shadows of the choices we make.” – Jonathan Miller
- “Sometimes, breaking the rules is the only way to find the truth.” – Beatrice June Harker
Behind-the-Scenes
- Miller’s Girl was developed from a spec script written by Jade Halley Bartlett, which was included in the Hollywood Black List of unproduced screenplays in 2016.
- The film was shot in Cartersville, Georgia, in September 2022, with Bartlett making her directorial debut.
- Produced by Seth Rogen’s company, Point Grey Pictures, the project reflects Bartlett’s unique vision, blending psychological drama with provocative themes.
Final Verdict
Miller’s Girl is a dark and thought-provoking film that challenges the boundaries of morality and power dynamics. While the film’s controversial themes may not resonate with all viewers, it offers a compelling narrative driven by strong performances from its lead actors. This intense psychological thriller is a must-watch for fans of character-driven dramas.
IMDb Rating
5.2/10
Image Source: by Zac Popik/Lionsgate