Is She Said Based on a True Story, Is it Real? Check Here!
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Apr 19, 2023
Is She Said Based on a True Story?
She Said, a critically acclaimed film of the 2022-2023 awards season, depicts the true story of journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor from The New York Times as they investigated and exposed the decades of sexual abuse and misconduct by Harvey Weinstein, a powerful figure in Hollywood. The journalists' findings, along with on-the-record testimonies from Weinstein's victims, were published on Oct. 5, 2017.
Following the publication, over 80 women came forward with their own allegations against Weinstein, demonstrating the power of "safety in numbers," a theme highlighted in the film. She Said is a remarkable example of how to adapt a news article into a meaningful and coherent story that weaves together multiple characters and an expansive timeline.
Despite its portrayal of a menacing villain, the film culminates in a satisfying ending with the justice served after an investigation and a series of trials that led to Weinstein's conviction and 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault in New York, which he is currently serving.
She Said is a true story based on the efforts of Twohey and Kantor to investigate the allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein, and how he paid off women to remain silent. The film mainly focuses on the details of the investigation, including the experiences of the women who spoke to Twohey and Kantor about Weinstein, and the obstacles they faced in publishing their findings.
The film draws heavily from Twohey and Kantor's 2019 book, She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement. While the New York Times article is a crucial part of the story, the film is more about the journey of the investigation and the bravery of those who came forward to expose Weinstein's actions.
She Said Ending Explained
When facing an impending New York Times article detailing his alleged sexual misconduct, Harvey Weinstein turned to Variety and the Hollywood Reporter for support. As a result, these publications published their own articles about the Times' forthcoming piece, erasing any confidentiality surrounding the investigation. With time running out, journalists Jody and Megan needed solid evidence to publish their articles.
Ashley Judd and former Weinstein assistant Laura Madden provided crucial testimony, and the article was finally published, prompting Weinstein to take a leave of absence from his company. Within a month, 82 women accused Weinstein of sexual assault. In 2020, he was convicted of rape and sexual assault and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Jodi and Megan's investigative work not only led to significant legal and structural changes but also sparked a global conversation about sexual harassment in the workplace and beyond. Their groundbreaking journalism will go down in history as a catalyst for progress.
She Said Movie Info
She Said is a biographical drama film released in 2022, directed by Maria Schrader and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, based on the book with the same title by reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey. The movie stars Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan as the lead characters, Twohey and Kantor, respectively, and depicts their investigative journalism that exposed Harvey Weinstein's sexual abuse and misconduct against women.
Ashley Judd appears as herself, and Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, Jennifer Ehle, and Samantha Morton are in supporting roles. The production of the film was announced in 2021 as a co-production between Annapurna Pictures and Plan B Entertainment after the book was optioned in 2018. Filming took place in New York, with Natasha Braier as the cinematographer.
The editing was done by Hansjörg Weißbrich, and the score was composed by Nicholas Britell during post-production. She Said premiered at the 60th New York Film Festival on October 13, 2022, and was released by Universal Pictures in the United States on November 18, 2022. The movie was well received by critics, who praised the screenplay and the performances of Mulligan and Kazan.
However, it underperformed at the box office, earning only $13 million against a $32 million production budget. Despite this, it was named one of the best films of 2022 by the American Film Institute.
She Said earned nominations for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Mulligan and Best Adapted Screenplay for Lenkiewicz at the 76th British Academy Film Awards, and Mulligan also received a Golden Globe Award nomination, while Lenkiewicz was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award.
She Said Plot
The story of "She Said" centers around New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey as they investigate sexual misconduct allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The investigation begins in 2017 when Kantor receives a tip that actress Rose McGowan was sexually assaulted by Weinstein.
The reporters speak with other actresses, including Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow, who also have experienced inappropriate behavior from Weinstein. The investigation is slow-going, with sources reluctant to speak due to fear of career backlash and NDAs.
Kantor and Twohey eventually track down former Weinstein assistants who share their stories, and they receive an anonymous tip from one of Weinstein's former accountants. Weinstein learns of the investigation and attempts to appease the reporters with a lawyer, but denies all wrongdoing.
The Times notifies the Weinstein Company board and asks for a statement, but Weinstein denies the allegations and pressures the reporters to name their sources. However, the Times publishes the story on October 5, 2017, leading to 82 women coming forward with similar allegations against Weinstein.
This story sparks a larger conversation about sexual misconduct in the workplace and leads to reforms in Hollywood and the legal system. Weinstein is currently serving a 23-year sentence for rape and sexual assault in New York.
Is She Said Based on a True Story - FAQs
"She Said" is a 2022 American biographical drama film directed by Maria Schrader and written by Rebecca Lenkiewicz.
Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan star as Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, respectively.
"She Said" had its world premiere at the 60th New York Film Festival on October 13, 2022, and was released in the United States on November 18, 2022, by Universal Pictures.
No, "She Said" was a box office flop, grossing $13 million against a production budget of $32 million.
After the New York Times published its article on October 5, 2017, 82 women came forward with their own allegations against Weinstein, leading to workplace and legal reforms.