Charlie Says
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Flawed, feminist take on the Manson story has violence, sex.

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Charlie Says
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Based on 3 parent reviews
Charlie Says – Not Much Of Moral Value
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What's the Story?
When prison educator Karlene Faith (Merritt Wever) meets incarcerated Manson Family members Leslie Van Houten (Hannah Murray), Susan Atkins (Marianne Rendón), and Patricia Krenwinkel (Sosie Bacon), practically everything that comes out of their mouths is preceded by CHARLIE SAYS. But as Faith gently encourages the trio to think more deeply about why exactly they committed their terrible crimes (including brutal murders) -- and how Charles Manson (Matt Smith) convinced them to do it -- they uncover the pain and abuse that made them vulnerable to the control of a madman.
Is It Any Good?
An overly familiar narrative and too many lengthy Manson scenes turn what could have been an exceedingly compelling take on a classic true crime tale into merely a mild diversion. The scenes in which Van Houten, Krenwinkel, and Atkins hunker down in their death row-adjacent cells with Faith hold the most interest, despite the amateurish acting, particularly on Murray's part. Many other biopics and inspired-by movies have given us scenes of hippies dancing and plotting on Spahn Ranch while Charles Manson raves nonsensically -- and though Smith does make a particularly magnetic Manson, hearing even one Charlie-ism like "The question is your answer" is too many, and this movie is full of them. Charlie Says probably could have done without the reenactments of the murders, too, particularly the disturbing LaBianca crime scene (though lovers of the disturbing will no doubt be intrigued, particularly since these murders are often given short shrift on-creen compared to the Tate murders).
At 110 minutes, this movie is about half an hour too long, and viewers will feel it most when Van Houten unblinkingly watches Charlie doing his thing. But there's sizzle in other Spahn Ranch scenes, like one in which Van Houten is sternly admonished that men eat first at dinner, or when a group of female Mansonites heads out for a Dumpster-diving expedition to gather food. Joyously singing, holding hands, road-tripping -- we feel the pull that must have snared this family's members and understand the pain that made them long so much for a place where they were loved and accepted. Later, as the three central former Manson women learn about race and domestic abuse and feminism in their period prison dresses, ultimately growing remorseful for their crimes, we see a side to the Manson story that's not often examined: the cult members' journey from mindless adherence to logic. It's realistic and surprisingly sad -- and for this reason, true crime fans will eat up this unusual viewpoint, despite the movie's flaws.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the real historical events that Charlie Says was based on. What was the Manson Family? What ultimately became of the people who were part of it? Is this drama true to real historical events? How do you know?
Why do you think stories about killers and crimes are popular? What other shows or movies about murders can you name? Why do audiences enjoy this as a topic of drama?
What do you think about the movie's level of violence? Is it about what you thought it would be for a movie circling around a famous series of murders? What makes the violence in this movie more or less upsetting than what you've seen depicted in other stories?
Do you consider this a feminist movie? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 10, 2019
- On DVD or streaming: August 6, 2019
- Cast: Matt Smith, Hannah Murray, Suki Waterhouse, Grace Van Dien
- Director: Mary Harron
- Studio: IFC
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: History
- Run time: 104 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: disturbing violent content, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, drug use, and language
- Last updated: March 3, 2023
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