The Accused
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
The Accused
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.
Suggest an 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 The Accused is a hard-hitting yet important legal drama that saw Jodie Foster win an Oscar for her portrayal of Sarah Tobias, a victim of a brutal gang rape. The rape itself is portrayed and recounted in detail, with partial nudity shown. There is strong language throughout, including "s--t," "p---y," and variants of "f--k." "F--got" is also used as a homophobic slur. There is also drinking to the point of drunkenness, and smoking of both cigarettes and pot. The serious topic is explored both via the victim's experience and the limitations of the legal system, with Kelly McGillis playing Sarah's attorney. Based loosely on a real-life case, the film is an intense but powerful watch that is not suitable for kids or younger teens.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In THE ACCUSED, after experiencing a violent gang rape in a bar, Sarah Tobias (Jodie Foster) is determined to bring the perpetrators to justice. She is helped by lawyer Kathryn Murphy (Kelly McGillis), who becomes equally committed to holding the men to account.
Is It Any Good?
Based on a real-life trial, this film from 1988 makes an impact not just in the brutality of the crime, but the way in which the victim is treated in the aftermath. In The Accused, Sarah is handled with clinical coldness and suspicion, while behind the scenes, lawyers make decisions based more on tidy outcomes and sure wins than a true concern for justice.
Foster took home an Academy Award for her intense and intimate performance. Sarah is a woman who at first seems powerless, but who then finds strength in her outrage, moving McGillis' practical lawyer into action from the heart instead of the rule book. It's a compelling film with important things to say, particularly back in the '80s when this kind of subject was not often tackled on-screen. That it is still so relevant decades on makes it all the more impactful.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the sexual violence The Accused. How did these scenes make you feel? Was it important that the film generated strong feelings from the viewer? Why, or why not?
Discuss the narrative structure and how the movie begins soon after the assault, and doesn't show the crime until near the end. What impact did that have on you?
What suspicions and presumptions were made toward Sarah's character in an attempt to invalidate her experience? Discuss how this is mirrored in the outside world. Can you think of similar examples from the media?
Talk about some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How was drinking, smoking, and drug use depicted in the movie? Were they glamorized? Did the characters need to do these things? What were the consequences?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 14, 1988
- On DVD or streaming: April 16, 2002
- Cast: Jodie Foster, Kelly McGillis, Bernie Coulson
- Director: Jonathan Kaplan
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance
- Run time: 111 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- Awards: Academy Award, Golden Globe
- Last updated: December 1, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Erin Brockovich
Legal drama based on a true story has lots of cursing.
-
The Silence of the Lambs
Thriller that made the serial killer a superstar.
-
Witness
Taut drama has a few moments of intense violence.
For kids who love legal dramas
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