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Biographical drama

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017): Cast & Ratings

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017) movie poster

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women is a 2017 biographical drama directed by Angela Robinson, starring Luke Evans as William Moulton Marston, Bella Heathcote and JJ Feild. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $1.9 million worldwide on a $7 million budget. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$1.9M
Echo Score
78
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Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
Angela Robinson
Genres
Biography , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$7M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Professor Marston & the Wonder Women About?

The premise of Professor Marston & the Wonder Women without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the 1940s, Harvard psychologist William Moulton Marston developed the iconic Wonder Woman, a creation deeply influenced by his complex relationships. His wife, Elizabeth, and his lover, Olive, played significant roles in inspiring the superheroine. As Marston balanced his career aspirations with his personal life, the feminist ideals championed by both women became integral to Wonder Woman’s character and powers. The film explores the unconventional origins of the legendary character and the extraordinary women who shaped her.

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • reference to wonder woman
  • sadomasochism
  • bondage
  • polyamory
  • college professor
  • threesome
  • comic book writer
  • lesbianism
  • comic book author
  • bdsm
  • comic book
  • taboo
+38 more
  • job interview
  • typewriter
  • erotica
  • orgasm
  • cancer
  • jealousy
  • reference to sigmund freud
  • penis envy
  • sexual submissiveness
  • lie detector
  • menage a trois
  • sexual perversion
  • sexual fantasy
  • dominance submissiveness
  • bound and gagged
  • women's rights
  • pornography
  • mythology
  • unconventionality
  • moving out
  • breakup
  • telephone
  • death of lover
  • bitterness
  • asking for forgiveness
  • college campus
  • marriage engagement
  • psychology
  • polygraph
  • harvard university
  • spanking
  • disc theory
  • classroom
  • sexual arousal
  • systolic blood pressure
  • blood pressure
  • pseudonym
  • illegality
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Cast & crew

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Cast & Characters

Luke Evans leads the cast as William Moulton Marston, with Bella Heathcote as Olive Byrne and JJ Feild as Charles Guyette. Directed by Angela Robinson; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Professor Marston & the Wonder Women

· 11 more
From the director

More from Angela Robinson

More films directed by Angela Robinson, best-rated first: D.E.B.S., Herbie Fully Loaded and Girltrash!.

Full filmography
Ratings

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Professor Marston & the Wonder Women 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (68).

78 /100

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Echo Score Breakdown

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women achieves a compelling balance of historical insight and emotional depth. A number of reviews highlight its evocative period design and measured exploration of the trio’s dynamics, while some note occasional pacing lulls and on-the-nose sequences. The performances, particularly Rebecca Hall’s portrayal, are frequently praised for their nuance and authenticity. Overall, the film delivers an engaging biographical drama with thoughtful visual style and a distinctive narrative perspective.

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 art and craft, the film presents a carefully constructed period aesthetic with gold-toned cinematography and polished production design. Critics note strong visual cohesion through measured framing and editing, though some find the direction occasionally on-the-nose. The combination of refined set detail and balanced visual composition results in a consistently engaging visual presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character and emotion, the performances are widely regarded as one of the film’s strongest elements. Reviews emphasize Rebecca Hall’s dynamo portrayal and note nuanced chemistry among the leads. While a few observers mention occasional contrived interactions, the depth of emotional resonance and authentic character development underpin the narrative’s success.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the film benefits from an original premise drawing on real events and sustained engagement. Reviewers appreciate the insightful exploration of its trio relationship but some critique uneven pacing and occasional narrative lulls. Despite these concerns, the coherent structure and thoughtful integration of historical context maintain viewer interest throughout the runtime.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    When evaluating the sensory experience, the film’s soundtrack and sound design complement its visual style without overwhelming the narrative. The gold-toned cinematography and period-appropriate score contribute to an immersive atmosphere, although the audio elements remain understated. Overall, the cohesive blend of visual and auditory elements supports the film’s thematic and emotional undertones.

  • Rewatch Factor 68

    In terms of rewatch appeal, the film’s authentic performances and historical insights offer lasting value for subsequent viewings. Viewers may revisit the nuanced character interactions and period detail, although the deliberate pacing could deter some audiences on repeat watches. Ultimately, the film maintains a moderate replay factor through its thoughtful narrative layers.

Plot

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Plot Summary

What happens in Professor Marston & the Wonder Women from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks during a pivotal testimony given by William Moulton Marston in 1945, before members of the Child Study Association of America. The story transports us back to 1928, where William and his wife, Elizabeth, engage in academic pursuits and research at Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges. Amidst this intellectual environment, William employs one of his students, Olive Byrne, as a research assistant. With her help, they delve deep into the invention of the lie detector and further explore William’s DISC theory. As they collaborate closely, a deep emotional connection develops among the trio.

Tests administered by the lie detector expose a powerful truth: they have all fallen in love with one another, leading to the beginning of a captivating polyamorous relationship.

Full summary

The whole story of Professor Marston & the Wonder Women, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Box Office & Budget

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women grossed $1.9 million worldwide on a $7 million budget, 27% of what it cost. $1.6 million came from the US and Canada and $314,856 (17%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.9M

27% of its budget back

US & Canada
$1.6M
International
$314.9K
Budget
$7M
US & Canada 83% Rest of the world 17%
Videos

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette PROFESSOR MARSTON & THE WONDER WOMEN @ LFF Pop-up Studio | BFI London Film Festival 2017
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Professor Marston & the Wonder Women?

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

What year does the majority of the film's flashback take place?

Cars

Cars in Professor Marston & the Wonder Women

7 cars on screen, including the 1940 Oldsmobile unknown and the 1929 Plymouth Sedan.

All 7 cars
  • 1940 Oldsmobile unknown in Professor Marston & the Wonder Women 1940 Oldsmobile unknown Minor role
  • 1929 Plymouth Sedan in Professor Marston & the Wonder Women 1929 Plymouth Sedan Minor role
  • unknown in Professor Marston & the Wonder Women unknown Minor role
  • 1946 De Soto Custom in Professor Marston & the Wonder Women 1946 De Soto Custom Background role
Details

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women Also Known As

32 alternative titles, including “Professor Marston e as Mulheres-Maravilhas” and “פרופסור מורסטון ונשות הפלא”.

Also known as
  • Professor Marston e as Mulheres-Maravilhas
  • פרופסור מורסטון ונשות הפלא
  • 원더우먼 스토리
  • פרופסור מרסטון והוונדרוומן
  • פרופסור מרסטון ונשות החיל
  • פרופסור מרסטון ונשות הוונדרוומן
  • פרופסור מרסטון ונשות הוונדר
  • La genesi di Wonder Woman
  • El profesor Marston y las mujeres maravilla
  • Wonder Women y el profesor Marston
  • ワンダー・ウーマンとマーストン教授の秘密
  • My Wonder Women
+20 more
  • Профессор Марстон и его Чудо-женщины
  • 马斯顿教授与神奇女侠
  • Професор Марстън и Жените чудо
  • El profesor Marston y Wonder Women
  • Ο Καθηγητής Μάρστον και η Wonder Woman
  • פרופסור מרסטון והוונדר וומן
  • Professor Marston e as Mulheres Maravilha
  • Profesor Marston i Wonder Women
  • Marston professzor és a két Wonder Woman
  • El profesor Marston y la Mujer Maravilla
  • Profesör Marston ve Wonder Women
  • Profesorul Marston și femeile fantastice
  • Professor Marston a Wonder Women
  • Profesors Marstons un viņa Brīnumsievietes
  • Profesorius Marstonas ir nuostabiosios moterys
  • Професор Марстон і Диво-жінки
  • 佔.誘神奇女俠
  • 神力女超人的秘密
  • กำเนิดวันเดอร์วูแมน
  • Sự Hình Thành Nữ Thần Chiến Binh

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FAQ

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Professor Marston & the Wonder Women, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Professor Marston & the Wonder Women?

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).

When was Professor Marston & the Wonder Women released?

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women was released on October 13, 2017.

Who directed Professor Marston & the Wonder Women?

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women was directed by Angela Robinson.

More films by Angela Robinson

Who is in the cast of Professor Marston & the Wonder Women?

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women stars Luke Evans as William Moulton Marston, Bella Heathcote as Olive Byrne and JJ Feild as Charles Guyette, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Professor Marston & the Wonder Women make at the box office?

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women grossed $1.9 million worldwide ($1.6 million domestic, $314,856 international) on a budget of $7 million.

How is Professor Marston & the Wonder Women rated?

Professor Marston & the Wonder Women has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Does Professor Marston & the Wonder Women have a post-credit scene?

No. Professor Marston & the Wonder Women has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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