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Drama thriller

The Tale (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Tale (2018) movie poster

The Tale is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Jennifer Fox, starring Laura Dern as Jennifer, Isabelle Nélisse and Common. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes and earned $2.7 million worldwide. It earned 3 award nominations, including Best Editing at the Spirit Awards 2019. Critics gave it 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 90 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
99%
worldwide gross
$2.7M
award nominations
3
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The Tale (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 54m (114 min)
Director
Jennifer Fox
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Tale About?

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

A journalist and professor believes she has a stable and successful life, but her past unexpectedly returns through a childhood story titled "The Tale." This forces her to revisit unsettling memories of her youth spent on a horse farm in Carolina. There, two adult coaches exerted a significant influence over her life, and she must now confront the dark secrets and unsettling truths hidden within those formative years.

The Tale Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 1970s
  • sexual abuse
  • teenage girl
  • 13 year old
  • horse
  • coach
  • mother daughter relationship
  • based on true story
  • abuse
  • trauma
  • college professor
  • documentarian
+38 more
  • child rape
  • riding instructor
  • sexual grooming
  • pedophile
  • vomiting
  • flashback
  • interracial romance
  • forced sex
  • 13 year old girl
  • title directed by female
  • bare chested male
  • virginity
  • college
  • manipulation
  • child abuse
  • large family
  • horseback riding
  • diner
  • ignored by parents
  • body double in sex scene
  • female director
  • interracial relationship
  • first sexual experience
  • virgin
  • filmmaker
  • autobiographical
  • letter
  • rape
  • rape of a child
  • child raped by teacher
  • horse farm
  • autism
  • sex scene
  • sibling relationship
  • growing up
  • childhood
  • childhood sexual abuse
  • rich family
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Cast & crew

The Tale Cast & Characters

Laura Dern leads the cast as Jennifer, with Isabelle Nélisse as Jenny (13 Years) and Common as Martin. Directed by Jennifer Fox; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Tale

· 7 more
Ratings

The Tale Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Tale 99% on Rotten Tomatoes and 90 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 86/100, strongest in character & emotion (95) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

86 /100

The Tale Echo Score Breakdown

This film’s strengths lie in its commanding performances and precise direction, which establish an intense and thoughtful portrayal of memory and trauma. Critics and viewers alike praise Laura Dern’s nuanced performance alongside compelling supporting roles and a script that balances autobiographical intimacy with universal resonance. The measured pacing and inventive narrative structure provide an engaging but sometimes unsettling flow that reflects the protagonist’s emotional journey. Overall, The Tale leaves a lasting impact through its careful craftsmanship and emotional candor.

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

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film excels in purposeful direction and striking cinematography that underscore its intimate subject matter. The measured compositions and effective production design create an immersive visual landscape, while the editing’s clarity supports the nonlinear structure. The visual cohesion enhances the narrative’s emotional weight. Altogether, the film’s craftsmanship in art and technique is compelling.

  • Character & Emotion 95

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, performances carry the film with nuanced depth and resonance. Laura Dern’s layered portrayal anchors the narrative, complemented by powerful turns from Elizabeth Debicki and Isabelle Nélisse that articulate internal conflict and growth. The compelling emotional chemistry among characters heightens the film’s authenticity, forging a poignant connection with the viewer throughout. The result is a richly human ensemble experience.

  • Story & Flow 80

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film offers an original autobiographical narrative with measured pacing and clear thematic intent. The nonlinear structure weaving past and present fosters engagement, though some viewers note occasional incoherence in plot transitions. The script’s incisive focus on memory and denial sustains interest, even as its discomforting rhythm challenges expectations. Overall, the narrative remains compelling despite moments of uneven coherence.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to Sensory Experience, the film delivers a cohesive visual style with understated sound design that supports its intimate tone. The score’s restraint allows the narrative’s tension to build organically, while crisp dialogue mixing and ambient effects enrich the setting’s authenticity. The visual palette’s controlled color scheme and consistent image quality maintain immersion. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce the film’s emotional impact.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s thoughtful construction and thematic depth suggest meaningful engagement on repeat viewings. The layered storytelling and nuanced performances may reveal additional insights into memory’s complexities, rewarding attentive viewers. Yet the film’s discomforting subject matter and intense tone could limit its appeal for subsequent watches. Overall, its lasting resonance balances the challenging emotional experience.

Plot

The Tale Plot Summary

What happens in The Tale from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Based on the real-life experiences of director Jennifer Fox, this poignant film introduces us to Jennifer “Jenny” Fox, portrayed by Laura Dern, an accomplished documentary filmmaker in her late forties. Jenny is currently engrossed in a project capturing the harrowing stories of women and girls in third-world countries who have faced sexual assault or harassment. While attending a women’s rights protest in Africa, she decides to participate, despite warnings of potential violence. Alongside her professional life, she juggles personal issues in her interracial relationship with her caring boyfriend Martin, played by Common, as they navigate the complexities of commitment and intimacy.

Full summary

The whole story of The Tale, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Tale Box Office

The Tale grossed $2.7 million worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.7M

International
$2.7M
Awards

The Tale Awards & Nominations

The Tale earned 3 award nominations, including Best Editing at the Spirit Awards 2019.

3 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

The Tale Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 teaser.

Official Trailer
  • Teaser
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Tale?

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

Who plays the role of Jennifer 'Jenny' Fox in 'The Tale'?

Details

The Tale Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Разказът” and “더 테일”.

Also known as
  • Разказът
  • 더 테일
  • Le passé recomposé
  • Рассказ
  • 이야기
  • Приказката
  • Öykü
  • הסיפור
  • Příběh
  • A történet
  • 信笺故事
  • Opowieść
+11 more
  • O Conto
  • El Cuento
  • The Tale - Die Erinnerung
  • Stāsts
  • Príbeh
  • Povestea
  • The Tale : le conte
  • ジェニーの記憶
  • 女孩回憶錄
  • Pasaka
  • Оповідання

Seen The Tale?

FAQ

The Tale FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Tale, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Tale?

The Tale runs 1 hour 54 minutes (114 minutes).

When was The Tale released?

The Tale was released on May 26, 2018.

Who directed The Tale?

The Tale was directed by Jennifer Fox.

More films by Jennifer Fox

Who is in the cast of The Tale?

The Tale stars Laura Dern as Jennifer, Isabelle Nélisse as Jenny (13 Years) and Common as Martin, among 11 credited actors.

How much did The Tale make at the box office?

The Tale grossed $2.7 million worldwide.

How is The Tale rated?

The Tale has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, 90 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Was The Tale nominated for any awards?

The Tale received 3 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does The Tale have a post-credit scene?

No. The Tale has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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