‘Charlie Says’ Review: The Manson Girls Refreshed

The Manson girls tell their side of the story in the new IFC film "Charlie Says"
The IFC new film “Charlie Says” is a fresh take on the infamous ‘Manson murders’
Poster courtesy of IFC Films

May 10, 2019

By: @demigoddesspictures

Charlie Says

Los Angeles- August 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Manson Family Murders. The IFC new film “Charlie Says” is a fresh take on the infamous ‘Manson murders’ in 1969 by the Manson ‘family’ that sent shock waves throughout Hollywood and the entire country.

Still courtesy of IFC Films

Directed by Mary Harron and written by Guinevere Turner, “Charlie Says”
explores the slow psychopathic mental occupation of the Manson girls as told by them to a prison social worker after they were incarcerated. Cult leader Charles Manson is played by actor Matt Smith while actress Hannah Murray plays Manson girl Leslie Van Houton, actress Sosie Bacon portrays Manson girl Patricia Krenwinkel and actress Marianne Rendón plays Manson girl Susan Atkins. The narrative centers on a prison social worker played by actress Merritt Wever who takes it upon herself to educate the brainwashed girls by using a newfangled empathic approach, steeped in feminist pedagogy. Harrons’ direction leads the audience to examine what ingredients are needed to conjure a toxic spell on females who are starving for love and how easily vulnerable women can become victims of manipulation. A must see.

“Charlie Says” opens in Los Angeles, Orange County and New York on May 10th.

Title: CHARLIE SAYS

Distributor: IFC Films

Opening Day: May 10th

Opening Theaters:

Arena Cinelounge – Sunset

6464 Sunset Blvd.,

Los Angeles, CA 90028

Laemmle’s Noho 7

5240 Lankershim Blvd,

North Hollywood, CA 91601

Laemmle’s Pasadena Playhouse 7

673 E Colorado Blvd,

Pasadena, CA 91101

Laemmle’s Glendale

207 N Maryland Ave,

Glendale, CA 91206

Laemmle’s Monica Film Center

1332 2nd St,

Santa Monica, CA 90401

The Frida Cinema

305 E 4th St #100,

Santa Ana, CA 92701

Director: Mary Harron

Writer: Guinevere Turner

Producers: Cindi Rice, John Frank Rosenblum, Dana Guerin.

Starring: Matt Smith (MAPPLETHORPE, “The Crown”), Hannah Murray (“Game of Thrones”), Sosie Bacon (“13 Reasons Why”), Marianne Rendón (“Imposters”), Chace Crawford (“Gossip Girl”), Suki Waterhouse (INSURGENT, “The White Princess”), Kayli Carter (PRIVATE LIFE), Annabeth Gish (“The Haunting of Hill House”) and Merritt Wever (“Nurse Jackie”).

Running Time: 110 Minutes

Rating: R

Language: English

Still courtesy of IFC Films
About christy oldham 132 Articles
Christy was educated in Paris at École des hautes études commerciales de Paris (HEC Paris), an international business school in France and studied film and television at LACC (Los Angeles Community College). She is a business owner, published author and a critically acclaimed independent filmmaker. Her 20 year body of cinema work to date includes 2 feature films, 15 short films and one web series. She is a writer, producer, director, cinematographer, actress and editor. Her headlining film credit includes the vigilante feature film "Barracuda" (Released in 2014 by Maverick Entertainment Group) which earned her critical filmmaker acclaim including 3 Best Picture awards at multiple U.S. film festivals. In 2017, she directed 3 episodes of the post-apocalyptic web series "Vape Warz", which she also wrote and produced. It premiered at the 2017 Mediterranean Film festival Cannes in the south of France and received an Honorable Mention for Best Web Series and is now streaming on Amazon. In 2019, she released her first foreign short film "Perdu à France" ("Lost In Provence")- also streaming on Amazon. She lives in Los Angeles.

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