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Sister My Sister

  • 1994
  • R
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Sister My Sister (1994)
Two sisters are reunited when they are hired as maids for a stern widow and her daughter. Tension turns to violence when the widow discovers the taboo sexual attraction between them.
Play trailer2:03
1 Video
13 Photos
Psychological ThrillerDramaThriller

Two sisters separated in childhood reunite years later as servants at a household in France. Their happiness to be reunited spirals into an incestuous relationship.Two sisters separated in childhood reunite years later as servants at a household in France. Their happiness to be reunited spirals into an incestuous relationship.Two sisters separated in childhood reunite years later as servants at a household in France. Their happiness to be reunited spirals into an incestuous relationship.

  • Director
    • Nancy Meckler
  • Writer
    • Wendy Kesselman
  • Stars
    • Julie Walters
    • Joely Richardson
    • Jodhi May
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    3.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nancy Meckler
    • Writer
      • Wendy Kesselman
    • Stars
      • Julie Walters
      • Joely Richardson
      • Jodhi May
    • 28User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    Trailer

    Photos13

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    Top cast9

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    Julie Walters
    Julie Walters
    • Madame Danzard
    Joely Richardson
    Joely Richardson
    • Christine Papin
    Jodhi May
    Jodhi May
    • Lea Papin
    Sophie Thursfield
    • Isabelle Danzard
    Amelda Brown
    Amelda Brown
    • Visitor
    Luzita Pope
    • Visitor
    • (as Lucita Pope)
    Kate Gartside
    Kate Gartside
    • Sister Veronica
    Aimee Schmidt
    • Young Lea
    Gabriella Schmidt
    • Young Christine
    • Director
      • Nancy Meckler
    • Writer
      • Wendy Kesselman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews28

    6.53.8K
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    Featured reviews

    9strangeland_tours

    Disturbing

    The song at the start lets you know it won't be all pretty, it's a film loaded with repression, fears, despair and a developing mental breakdown.

    I strongly recommend everyone (who likes that kind of things) to watch it and are looking for a film that will make you think about how society can isolate it's members from both sides.

    I do not think homosexuality is the big factor here, watch closely and you'll see it's more about hitting bottom line.

    There are other movies based on sisters Papin, unfortunately I haven't watched any of these, I can tell all of you tho, that these British actresses are of very fine quality, the entire ambient is dark and makes you inhale deeper.

    This is my first review ever, so I hope it helps anyone to decide on whether watch Sister my sister or not.
    fedor8

    Finally a horror-drama that isn't stupid or dull.

    The first fifteen-twenty minutes don't promise that much, but after that the film gets more and more interesting, all the way to the fascinating and brutal finale. Well-made, very well-acted, and an intelligent story (based on a real case) of sexual, emotional and any-other-kind-you-can-think-of repression. The director intentionally didn't show any men, even when their voices are heard (the photographer, the lawyers); this was done to try to show just how isolated and in their own world the two nun-turned-maid sisters really were. The characterization is flawless, and the increasing tension in the house is reflected by suitably atmospheric direction.
    by-tor-2

    this hauntingly lurid movie is powerful

    It could be said that good acting is that which requires a minimum of words to convey its idea or stir up the viewer's emotions. In this way, Jodhi May has proven herself as an astounding actress. Meek, yet passionate in her role as a sweet repressed sister, she steals the show with a third the dialogue of her costars. The movie demonstrates how facile the wealthy can be in their overestimation of the subservient's tolerance for callousness and mistreatment. This is a quiet movie that seems to soak in the sound around its viewing space like air through a partially open door---a phantom moving silent through the room, but not without leaving its indelible footprints behind.
    all-briscoe

    Powerfully Dark

    A film featuring lesbian incest and violence could easily descend into a sensationalist mess. This film avoids such pitfalls and is exceptionally good.

    The atmosphere throughout the film is extremely dark and is absolutely fitting for such a disturbing tale. Very rarely do any of the characters smile. Tension, guilt and suspicion are present throughout. Most of the film takes place in dark interiors and even the outdoor scenes are marked by grim weather.

    There are only four significant characters and all are splendidly written and acted. The direction and design are very strong. Very sensibly, explicit sex and violence scenes are avoided to allow concentration on character and atmosphere.Particular commendation should also go to Stephen Warbeck for his melancholy, sparse, music which fits the action perfectly.

    This is a notable film in another respect. No male character is seen at all - there are a couple of male voiceovers but otherwise this is an exclusively female performance. This is a bold move, but very successful. "Sister My Sister" should certainly appeal to any discerning viewer who appreciates thoughtful drama.
    8=G=

    A powerfully compelling psychodrama not for everyone

    "Sister My Sister" tells of two live-in sibling housemaids working for a stingy, authoritarian dowager and her homely adult daughter in 1930's France. A dark, trudging, and eerily claustrophobic psychodrama, the film's compelling story waxes in severity as unspoken pressures and silent circumstance tear a rift between maids and mistress. Although the film deals with repressed sexuality, incest, pent-up hostility, and madness, it relies more on atmosphere and finely nuanced behavior to tell its story than in-your-face graphic sex, nudity, and mayhem. A masterwork of the less-is-more school film making which shows how so much can be accomplished with so little, "SMS" is a paradigm for indie auteurs and a spellbinding watch for the few. (B+)

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    Related interests

    Rosamund Pike in Gone Girl (2014)
    Psychological Thriller
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the play "My Sister In This House", by Wendy Kesselman, which was loosely based on the true story of the Papin sisters.
    • Quotes

      Lea Papin: Tell me a story.

      Christine Papin: Oh.

      Lea Papin: Just one before we go down.

      Christine Papin: Which one?

      Lea Papin: Um, when I was little.

      Christine Papin: You're still little.

      Lea Papin: No, I mean really little. The one with the horse.

      Christine Papin: Don't you ever get tired of it?

      Lea Papin: No, tell me.

      Christine Papin: When you were just a tiny thing, mama sent me out one day to get bread. You came with me the way you always did. And as we were walking, you let go of my hand and ran into the street.

      Lea Papin: Tell it slower. you're telling it too fast.

      Christine Papin: It was a long narrow street. You remember... on a hill. At the top of the hill, a horse and carriage was galloping down, right towards you. I ran into the street. I pulled you across. I pushed you down in the gutter with me... what a noise when the horse galloped by. And everyone was screaming. And when we stood up, we were both bleeding. But it was the same wound. It started on my arm and went down across your wrist. And look, we have it still.

      Lea Papin: And mama, what did she say?

      Christine Papin: Mama, you know how she gets. She screamed at us.

      Lea Papin: And then what happened?

      Christine Papin: Well, then there was the gypsy. Mad Marguerite they used to call her.

      Lea Papin: And what did she say?

      Christine Papin: You... you know it so well.

      Lea Papin: No, tell me again, Christine. Tell me again.

      Christine Papin: They're bound for life, Mad Marguerite said... bound in blood.

    • Alternate versions
      There may be another version of this movie, as both justwatch.com and themoviedb.org have a listed Runtime of 1h 44m.
    • Connections
      Version of Stuepigerne (1962)
    • Soundtracks
      Primavera
      Music by Louis Bénech

      Lyrics by Ernest Dumont

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Sister My Sister?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 14, 1995 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mi querida hermana
    • Filming locations
      • Amiens, Somme, France(exterior scenes)
    • Production companies
      • British Screen Productions
      • Channel Four Films
      • Film Four International
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $217,881
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $17,907
      • Jun 25, 1995
    • Gross worldwide
      • $217,881
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 26m(86 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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