Is Wicked Little Letters Based on a True Story? Check Plot, Cast, Trailer and more
by Deepika V
Updated Feb 19, 2024
Wicked Little Letters
"Wicked Little Letters" is a 2023 British black comedy mystery film directed by Thea Sharrock and written by Jonny Sweet. The movie features a star-studded cast including Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan, Joanna Scanlan, Gemma Jones, Malachi Kirby, Lolly Adefope, Eileen Atkins, and Timothy Spall.
The film is based on a true scandal that shocked England in the 1920s, focusing on neighbors Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton. When a series of obscene letters target Edith and others, suspicion falls on Rose. As the letters escalate, Rose faces the risk of losing both her freedom and custody of her daughter.
Police Officer Gladys Moss is determined to uncover the real culprit and, along with a group of women, seeks to solve the mystery."Wicked Little Letters" promises to captivate fans of thriller stories and movies. Directed by Thea Sharrock, the film is set to hit theaters on February 23, 2024.
Inspired by a true story, the movie delves into the scandalous events of the 1920s UK. In the film, Olivia Colman portrays Edith Swan, a conservative local who forges a friendship with her neighbor Rose Gooding, played by Jessie Buckley. The movie explores the plot inspired by the real-life incident that took place during that era.
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Is Wicked Little Letters Based on a True Story?
The story is based on a true event that shocked England in the 1920s. It focuses on neighbors Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton. Residents of the town started receiving anonymous and vulgar letters in 1920, mainly targeting a woman named Edith Swan, played by Colman in the film. The letters insulted her with names like 'cow' and 'whore,' and they became increasingly explicit, even criticizing the appearance of the cakes she made in a very graphic way.
In the judgmental Edwardian era, it was considered improper for women to use even mild curse words, making the scandal surrounding the letters even more significant. The blame quickly fell on Rose Gooding, an outspoken Irish woman known for her colorful language, portrayed by Buckley. The incident was dubbed 'the Seaside Mystery' by The Daily Mail, leading to investigations by reporters and police detectives in the seaside town.
This investigation led to a witch hunt and a highly publicized court case. Interestingly, Henri-Georges Clouzot's 1943 film "Le Corbeau," which deals with a series of inflammatory letters causing chaos in a French town, was also inspired by a real-life event from the same period. In 1917, the town of Tulle in Limousin, France, was similarly divided by an anonymous letter-writer known as 'the Raven.'
Wicked Little Letters Cast
Olivia Colman is known for her diverse roles, including portraying Queen Elizabeth II, Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables, and Sophie in Peep Show. In her latest role, the 50-year-old actress plays conservative local Edith Swan, who is framed by the rowdier Rose Gooding, portrayed by Jessie Buckley.
Colman, an Academy Award nominee, has also appeared in the HBO miniseries Chernobyl and the critically acclaimed film Lost Daughter, earning nominations for the BAFTA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
The rest of the cast includes Anjana Vasan as WPC Gladys Moss, Timothy Spall as Edward Swan, Gemma Jones as Victoria Swan, Alisha Weir as Nancy Gooding (Rose's daughter), Hugh Skinner as Constable Papperwick, Richard Goulding as Mr. Scales, Jason Watkins as Mr. Treading, and Krishni Patel as Winnie Moss, Gladys' niece.
Cast
Character
Olivia Colman
Edith Swan
Jessie Buckley
Rose Gooding
Anjana Vasan
WPC Gladys Moss
Timothy Spall
Edward Swan
Gemma Jones
Victoria Swan
Alisha Weir
Nancy Gooding (Rose's daughter)
Hugh Skinner
Constable Papperwick
Richard Goulding
Mr. Scales
Jason Watkins
Mr. Treading
Krishni Patel
Winnie Moss (Gladys' niece)
Wicked Little Letters Plot
In "Wicked Little Letters," the narrative delves into a scandal that rocked Littlehampton, an English town, during the 1920s. The film unfolds in Sussex and revolves around two neighbors: Edith Swan, a local with conservative values portrayed by Olivia Coleman, and Rose Gooding, an Irish migrant portrayed by Jessie Buckley. Despite their differences, their friendship grows as they bond over knitting sessions and recipe exchanges.
The tranquil atmosphere of the town is shattered when residents, including Edith, start receiving offensive and vulgar letters. Suspicion quickly falls upon Rose Gooding, who becomes the primary suspect behind the disturbing letters. Rose finds herself in legal trouble, facing charges related to the letters, leading to a trial.
However, as the trial progresses, it becomes evident that Rose is innocent, while the true perpetrator manages to escape justice. Despite enduring hardships, including losing custody of her daughter, Rose's innocence eventually comes to light.
As suspicion continued to surround Gooding and the trial dragged on, Edith escalated the situation by writing more letters, leading to a dramatic conclusion in "Wicked Little Letters." Inspector George became suspicious and enlisted the help of other women. Policeman Gladys Moss was assigned to monitor Edith, catching her in the act. Edith hurled a series of vulgar insults at him.
Further investigation, including handwriting analysis, confirmed that Edith was the true culprit, manipulating the situation and blaming it all on Rose for her gain. Despite the truth coming to light, Edith faced consequences for her actions, even after the revelation, due to her privileged status in society.
Wicked Little Letters Trailer
Where to Watch Wicked Little Letters?
You can watch "Wicked Little Letters (2023)" online for free on various streaming platforms like 123movies, Reddit, or TV shows available on HBO Max or Netflix!
Also, this movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023 and is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2024.
A 1920s English seaside town bears witness to a farcical and occasionally sinister scandal in this riotous mystery comedy. Based on a stranger-than-fiction true story, this film follows two neighbors: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley).
When Edith and her fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women - led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) - begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all.
Is Wicked Little Letters Based on a true story - FAQ
Yes, the film is based on a true event that occurred in 1920s England, focusing on neighbors Edith Swan and Rose Gooding in the seaside town of Littlehampton.
Olivia Colman portrays Edith Swan, while Jessie Buckley plays Rose Gooding.
Residents of Littlehampton begin receiving anonymous and vulgar letters targeting Edith Swan, escalating from mild insults to explicit criticisms.
In the judgmental Edwardian era, it was considered improper for women to use even mild curse words, intensifying the scandal surrounding the letters.
Police Officer Gladys Moss is determined to uncover the real culprit behind the letters and, along with a group of women, seeks to solve the mystery.