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American Woman (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

American Woman (2019) movie poster

American Woman is a 2019 drama directed by Jake Scott, starring Sky Ferreira as Bridget Callahan, Christina Hendricks and Will Sasso. It is based on American Woman by Susan Choi. It runs 1 hour 51 minutes and earned $245,416 worldwide. Critics gave it 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10.

IMDb rating
5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
57%
worldwide gross
$245.4K
Echo Score
73
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American Woman (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 51m (111 min)
Director
Jake Scott
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is American Woman About?

The premise of American Woman without spoilers, adapted from American Woman by Susan Choi. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A restless 25-year-old woman takes in three fugitive strangers, one of whom is a young woman held against her will. This unexpected act of compassion challenges her own ideals and sets off a chain of events. As she defies expectations, she becomes an unlikely symbol of rebellion, drawing attention and disrupting the status quo. The situation becomes increasingly complex, blurring the lines between rescuer and rescued.

American Woman Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • 1970s
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Cast & crew

American Woman Cast & Characters

Sky Ferreira leads the cast as Bridget Callahan, with Christina Hendricks as Katherine and Will Sasso as Terry. Directed by Jake Scott; 13 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

American Woman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave American Woman 57% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 73/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

73 /100

American Woman Echo Score Breakdown

In its execution, American Woman’s greatest strength lies in its central performance and authentic tone, though narrative focus and pacing remain uneven. Sienna Miller’s portrayal consistently grounds the film and critics praise its psychological nuance, while the direction and production design contribute to a lived-in atmosphere. However, some observations note that the story’s emphasis shifts away from its core mystery and the pacing can feel cautious at times. Overall, the film leaves a strong impression through its acting and ambiance despite structural limitations.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and production design, American Woman offers a subtle and economical style that evokes a lived-in setting. Critics highlight the careful framing and editing that support the narrative’s authenticity. Occasional telegraphing of key moments introduces slight rigidity to the visual flow. Ultimately, the film’s craft establishes a cohesive aesthetic even if it restrains dramatic edges.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to acting and emotional resonance, American Woman is anchored by a powerful lead performance. Sienna Miller’s portrayal is praised for its honesty and psychological nuance, providing depth even when the writing lacks complexity. Supporting roles earn recognition for authentic interactions, but some notes indicate a scarcity of fully developed character arcs. In sum, the performances drive the film’s emotive impact despite occasional depth limitations.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story coherence and pacing, the film delivers a gradual portrait of empowerment but at times sacrifices narrative focus. The plot’s original premise of a disappearance yields to domestic dynamics, which engages some viewers through measured revelations yet frustrates those expecting sustained investigation. While the sequential progression offers thematic clarity, the uneven emphasis can diminish overall engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When evaluating sensory elements, the film employs an understated sound design and muted visual palette that reinforce its authentic tone. The soundtrack offers subtle thematic motifs, though some viewers find it uneven in moments of emotional weight. The cohesive imagery and restrained audio mix support the storytelling, even if they lack a distinct or memorable stylistic flourish.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch value, the film’s strengths in performance and atmosphere invite initial appreciation, but its structural unevenness may limit repeated viewings. The nuanced central portrayal rewards close attention, yet the subdued pacing and diffused narrative focus reduce opportunities for discovering new layers. Overall, its lasting appeal is moderate rather than compellingly enduring.

Plot

American Woman Plot Summary

What happens in American Woman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1998, the story unfolds in a small, rural town in Pennsylvania, where Deb Callahan is navigating life as a 33-year-old single mother living with her teenage daughter, Bridget Callahan, and Bridget’s young son, Jesse. Deb had Bridget when she was just 16, and the father has been absent from their lives. Their home is conveniently located across the street from Deb’s older sister, Katherine, who is married to Terry and has children of her own. The relationship between Deb and Katherine is both loving and tumultuous; Katherine’s more reserved nature often leads her to criticize Deb’s reckless lifestyle and her relationships with men. This dynamic mirrors Deb’s relationship with her own mother, Peggy.

Full summary

The whole story of American Woman, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

American Woman Box Office

American Woman grossed $245,416 worldwide. $236,637 came from the US and Canada and $8,779 (4%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$245.4K

US & Canada
$236.6K
International
$8.8K
US & Canada 96% Rest of the world 4%
Videos

American Woman Trailers & Videos

The trailer of American Woman.

American Woman | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment
Quiz

How Well Do You Know American Woman?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
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  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
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  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the protagonist in American Woman?

Cars

Cars in American Woman

36 cars on screen, including the 1992 Volvo 240 and the 1988 Honda Accord.

All 36 cars
  • 1992 Volvo 240 in American Woman 1992 Volvo 240 Main role
  • 1988 Honda Accord in American Woman 1988 Honda Accord Important role
  • 2002 Honda Odyssey in American Woman 2002 Honda Odyssey Important role
  • 1999 Jeep Cherokee in American Woman 1999 Jeep Cherokee Important role
Details

American Woman Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “The Burning Woman” and “Женщина в огне”.

Also known as
  • The Burning Woman
  • Женщина в огне
  • Americká žena
  • Siła nadziei
  • Американска жена
  • Amerikalı Kadın
  • Uma Mulher Americana
  • Amerikāņu sieviete
  • אישה אמריקאית
  • 美国女人
  • Amerikai nő
  • 아메리칸 우먼
+4 more
  • Американка
  • Femeia americancă
  • Американська жінка
  • 美國女子

Seen American Woman?

FAQ

American Woman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of American Woman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is American Woman?

American Woman runs 1 hour 51 minutes (111 minutes).

When was American Woman released?

American Woman was released on June 14, 2019.

Who directed American Woman?

American Woman was directed by Jake Scott.

More films by Jake Scott

Who is in the cast of American Woman?

American Woman stars Sky Ferreira as Bridget Callahan, Christina Hendricks as Katherine and Will Sasso as Terry, among 13 credited actors.

How much did American Woman make at the box office?

American Woman grossed $245,416 worldwide ($236,637 domestic, $8,779 international).

How is American Woman rated?

American Woman has 5.2/10 on IMDb, 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Is American Woman based on a book?

Yes. American Woman is adapted from American Woman by Susan Choi.

Does American Woman have a post-credit scene?

No. American Woman has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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