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Silkwood
1983 131 min United States of America R 16+
★7.4
Drama
Director: Mike Nichols
Trailers
Description
Like most of the people in her town, Karen Silkwood works at the local nuclear plant producing highly radioactive plutonium. Exposed one day to a lethal dose of radiation, Karen faces the blank walls of corporate indifference and denial. As her illness increases, her protest grows louder and she becomes an obvious danger to the powers that be.
Budget:
$10M
US Gross:
$35.62M
Worldwide:
$35.62M
Starring
Meryl Streep
Actor
Kurt Russell
Actor
Cher
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Supporting Actress
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Actress
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Screenplay
Academy Awards 1984
— Best Supporting Actress
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Director
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Picture (Drama)
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Supporting Actress
BAFTA 1985
— Best Supporting Actress
BAFTA 1985
— Best Actress
Golden Globe 1984
— Best Actress (Drama)
Key opinion
Silkwood is widely praised for its grounded, intimate portrayal of corporate negligence and Meryl Streep's transformative lead performance. While the film is lauded for its realistic depiction of union activism, critics remain divided on whether Mike Nichols’ restrained direction successfully captures the story's emotional weight or feels overly detached.
| Acting | Meryl Streep delivers a soulful, multi-faceted performance that serves as the film's indispensable anchor. | |
| Acting | The supporting cast, particularly Cher and Kurt Russell, provide strong, immersive contributions that bolster the film's realistic ensemble dynamic. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay effectively balances the tension of corporate corruption with the grit of Karen Silkwood's personal life. | |
| Direction | Mike Nichols’ direction is polarized: some applaud the commitment to social realism and intimacy, while others feel his approach lacks the necessary emotional depth to match the gravity of the subject. |