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Historical drama

Misbehaviour (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Where to Watch

Misbehaviour (2020) movie poster

Misbehaviour is a 2020 historical drama directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, starring Greg Kinnear as Bob Hope, Keira Knightley and Jessie Buckley. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $1.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Britbox, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$1.9M
Echo Score
75
Misbehaviour (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Genres
Drama , History , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Misbehaviour About?

The premise of Misbehaviour without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the 1970 Miss World competition in London, hosted by Bob Hope, the Women's Liberation Movement stages a dramatic protest, interrupting the live television broadcast. This unprecedented event challenges the competition's objectification of women and sparks a national conversation. The unexpected result sees Miss Grenada crowned, making her the first black woman to win the title, marking a significant moment that questions conventional beauty standards and societal expectations.

Misbehaviour Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1970s
  • protest
  • miss world
  • based on true story
  • beauty contest
  • women's liberation
  • sexism
  • feminist
  • discrimination
  • interview
  • vietnam war
  • london england
+38 more
  • commune
  • gender inequality
  • apartheid
  • public protest
  • bob hope character
  • year 1970
  • misogyny
  • racism
  • south african
  • womanizer
  • divorcee
  • black woman
  • woman's measurements
  • activist
  • reference to university college london
  • rehearsing alone
  • one word title
  • f rated
  • flour bomb
  • water pistol
  • england
  • college entrance interview
  • mother daughter relationship
  • social revolution
  • husband wife relationship
  • newspaper interview
  • swimsuit
  • golf club
  • job interview
  • writers room
  • los angeles california
  • personal assistant
  • university education
  • bus stop
  • chased by police
  • islington london england
  • student life
  • hair dryer
Where to watch

Where to Watch Misbehaviour

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Britbox, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Misbehaviour Cast & Characters

Greg Kinnear leads the cast as Bob Hope, with Keira Knightley as Sally Alexander and Jessie Buckley as Jo Robinson. Directed by Philippa Lowthorpe; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Misbehaviour

· 5 more
Ratings

Misbehaviour Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Misbehaviour 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in rewatch factor (65).

75 /100

Misbehaviour Echo Score Breakdown

Misbehaviour presents a lively and thoughtful portrayal of a pivotal moment in feminist history, with engaging dialogue and spirited performances anchoring its narrative. The film offers deeper insights into intersectional issues, even as it alternates unevenly between character-focused scenes and broader thematic vignettes. Production design and visual style evoke the 1970s setting with authenticity, complemented by solid, though understated, musical choices. Pacing fluctuations and a somewhat light dramatic tone temper its impact, but the film remains an enjoyable and insightful viewing experience overall.

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

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of cinematography, Misbehaviour employs a polished visual palette that authentically evokes the 1970s context. The production design and costumes contribute vibrant period detail throughout. Editing choices, however, occasionally disrupt the narrative rhythm, leading to uneven scene transitions. The result is a visually appealing film that sometimes sacrifices fluidity for stylistic emphasis.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to character and emotion, Misbehaviour features compelling lead performances, notably by its principal actresses. The film captures strong chemistry among the activists and conveys sincere emotional stakes in their interactions. Some supporting roles feel less developed compared to the central figures, yet the ensemble maintains an empathetic tone. Overall, the cast delivers nuanced portrayals that anchor the narrative effectively.

  • Story & Flow 72

    In terms of story and flow, Misbehaviour tackles a significant historical episode with a measured pacing that at times feels uneven. The narrative balances multiple viewpoints, providing insight into the activists’ motivations and societal context. Occasional shifts between character vignettes and broader themes can disrupt momentum, though the core plot remains coherent. Ultimately, the story offers an engaging, if sometimes variable, narrative arc.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When evaluating the sensory experience, Misbehaviour presents an understated soundtrack that supports the period atmosphere without overwhelming the scenes. Sound design is clean, and ambient details reinforce the London setting. The visual style relies on warm color palettes and naturalistic lighting to evoke the era. While not audibly striking, the cohesive aesthetic choices contribute to an immersive cinematic environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 65

    In terms of rewatch value, Misbehaviour provides moderate appeal for repeat viewings. The historical context and character dynamics remain engaging on a second watch, especially in group settings where the humor resonates. However, the light dramatic tone and occasional pacing inconsistencies may lessen impact over time. Overall, the film offers sufficient lasting interest for viewers drawn to its thematic focus.

Plot

Misbehaviour Plot Summary

What happens in Misbehaviour from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Sally Alexander, Keira Knightley is a history student at University College London who is eager to understand how the past shapes the present. At a conference on women’s rights, she meets Jo Robinson, Jessie Buckley, a passionate feminist organizer who fights for visibility and change. After helping Jo dodge arrest for defacing a sexist billboard, Jo invites Sally to join her women’s group, where Sally helps shape the group’s messaging and media strategy for a planned protest at the 1970 Miss World pageant in London. The event is being presented by American comedian Bob Hope, Greg Kinnear, whose involvement is controversial inside his own household, particularly with Dolores, who disapproves of his affair with the pageant’s 1961 winner.

Full summary

The whole story of Misbehaviour, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Misbehaviour Box Office

Misbehaviour grossed $1.9 million worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.9M

International
$1.9M
Videos

Misbehaviour Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 2 trailers, 4 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 7 videos
MISBEHAVIOUR Trailer [HD] - Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Keeley Hawes & Lesley Manville
  • Trailer Misbehaviour (2020) - Official Trailer (HD)
  • Featurette MISBEHAVIOUR (2020) [HD] - True Story of How Women’s Liberation Movement Took On Miss World
  • Featurette MISBEHAVIOUR [HD] - The Real Women Who Changed Miss World
  • Featurette Gugu Mbatha Raw & Philippa Lowthorpe on Misbehaviour | Interview
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Misbehaviour?

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
  2. Question 2: not answered
  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
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actress portrays Sally Alexander, the history student at University College London?

Cars

Cars in Misbehaviour

21 cars on screen, including the 1972 Rover 3.5 Litre Coupé P5B and the 1954 Austin A40 10cwt Van.

All 21 cars
  • 1972 Rover 3.5 Litre Coupé P5B in Misbehaviour 1972 Rover 3.5 Litre Coupé P5B Important role
  • 1954 Austin A40 10cwt Van in Misbehaviour 1954 Austin A40 10cwt Van Minor role
  • 1965 Bedford SB13 in Misbehaviour 1965 Bedford SB13 Minor role
  • Commer Walk-Thru in Misbehaviour Commer Walk-Thru Minor role
Details

Misbehaviour Also Known As

33 alternative titles, including “Die Misswahl - Der Beginn einer Revolution” and “Misbehavior”.

Also known as
  • Die Misswahl - Der Beginn einer Revolution
  • Misbehavior
  • Napačno vedenje (Misbehaviour)
  • Rompiendo las normas
  • Miss Révolution
  • Miss Revolución
  • 品行不端
  • Міс Погана поведінка
  • Die Misswahl
  • Мисс Плохое поведение
  • Problémissky
  • Misside mäss
+21 more
  • Mis Nepriklausoma
  • 世界小姐逆行路
  • Miss Απειθαρχία
  • Rompiendo las reglas
  • Мис Свят
  • 미스비헤이비어
  • Miss Revolução
  • 愛美獎行動
  • Il concorso
  • Neodvisne
  • Niepokorna Miss
  • Mulheres ao Poder, ცუდი საქციელი
  • Mis Dumpiniece
  • 逆權選美
  • Uyumsuz
  • לא ממושמעות
  • Rendbontók
  • Miss Revoluție
  • 彼女たちの革命前夜
  • Trencant les normes
  • Die Misswahl – Der Beginn einer Revolution

Seen Misbehaviour?

FAQ

Misbehaviour FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Misbehaviour, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Misbehaviour?

Misbehaviour runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Misbehaviour released?

Misbehaviour was released on September 25, 2020.

Who directed Misbehaviour?

Misbehaviour was directed by Philippa Lowthorpe.

More films by Philippa Lowthorpe

Who is in the cast of Misbehaviour?

Misbehaviour stars Greg Kinnear as Bob Hope, Keira Knightley as Sally Alexander and Jessie Buckley as Jo Robinson, among 9 credited actors.

Where can I watch Misbehaviour?

In the US, Misbehaviour is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Britbox and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How much did Misbehaviour make at the box office?

Misbehaviour grossed $1.9 million worldwide.

How is Misbehaviour rated?

Misbehaviour has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Does Misbehaviour have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Misbehaviour has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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