Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich

Movie review by Monique Jones, Common Sense Media
Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich poster

Common Sense says

age 15+

Chilling primer on sex-trafficking socialite; violence.

NR 2022 101 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Kids say

No reviews yet.

Add your rating

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich is a documentary detailing the sexual crimes of Ghislaine Maxwell, former girlfriend and associate of Jeffrey Epstein. The documentary focuses on sexual abuse, particularly the abuse of minors. There are descriptions of sexual and physical abuse, and other types of sexual, emotional, and mental violence. There are coerced sexual situations and sexual bullying, as well as descriptions of nudity and images of nudity (artistic photographs). Minor language ("bulls--t" and "hell"), mentions of drinking, and consumerism are also included in the documentary.

Community Reviews

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

GHISLAINE MAXWELL: FILTHY RICH details the inner life of Ghislaine Maxwell, former girlfriend and associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell's connections within the higher echelon, plus her personal background of dysfunction, alleged narcissism, and psychopathy, created the circumstances for her to become a madam to Epstein, supplying young girls to him and other men in high society.

Is It Any Good?

Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich is, thankfully, not a documentary that seeks to entertain audiences with Maxwell's crimes by telling them in a tawdry, tabloid-esque manner. Instead, the documentary takes a necessarily serious approach to Maxwell, her life in high society, and the conditions that could have led her to become someone who would create a sex trafficking ring for the rich and famous, namely Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew. The film's conceit of time-jumping to tell its story is sometimes not needed and can make the story feel more jumbled than it needs to. Also, some scenes between real-life subjects of the documentary feel oddly scripted, or at least rehearsed, when they don't have to be to get the point across.

However, the overall sum of Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich is a quick, but pithy overview of how the privileged have been able to insulate themselves from facing punishment for their crimes until recently. Also, without giving Maxwell excuses for her behavior, the documentary relays how the hurt and abused can become abusers themselves.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Ghislaine Maxwell's background. What in Maxwell's family history and mental health possibly led to Maxwell's life of crime?

  • How is classism explored in the documentary?

  • Who are some of the famous people implicated in Maxwell and Epstein's crimes?

  • How do the survivors of Maxwell's sex trafficking ring show courage?

  • Does the verdict in Maxwell's case change how justice is dispensed toward the rich? Why or why not?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate