Bombshell
"Based on a real scandal."
Bombshell follows a trio of women inside a towering cable news empire who confront a dominant leader who built that world. Megyn Kelly, a veteran political anchor, Kayla Pospisil, a determined producer, and Gretchen Carlson, another longtime anchor, move through a newsroom culture shaped by fear,... Read more
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About Bombshell
Bombshell follows a trio of women inside a towering cable news empire who confront a dominant leader who built that world. Megyn Kelly, a veteran political anchor, Kayla Pospisil, a determined producer, and Gretchen Carlson, another longtime anchor, move through a newsroom culture shaped by fear, loyalty, and ambition. As interviews unfold and internal documents surface, they assemble the kind of testimony that could challenge a man who has defined the network for years. The story stays focused on these women and the personal costs of speaking out, rather than chasing sensational twists or distractions. Tension builds as the women balance public reputation with private risk, revealing the heavy price of truth in a world built on spectacle.
Directed by Jay Roach and released in 2019, Bombshell draws on real life reporting about Fox News and Roger Ailes. The screenplay comes from Charles Randolph, crafting performances that anchor a dramatized look at a newsroom power struggle. The film emphasizes character choices as much as headlines.
The movie sparked conversations about harassment in media and the responsibilities of powerful institutions. It highlighted how women fought back and helped bring attention to an important chapter in the MeToo era. Performance turnarounds by Theron Robbie and Kidman were widely discussed. It also stirred debate about ethics in journalism and how networks respond to whistleblowers, while inspiring discussions about the treatment of women on air.
Reception was solid, with critics praising the brisk drama and the film's sharp look at power, accountability, and gender dynamics in a high stakes workplace. It presents a clear argument that exposure can topple entrenched privilege even when the cost is high. The film also asks how much courage the public deserves from media institutions and what accountability looks like in practice.
Awards: The performances drew attention from major awards, with Charlize Theron earning a Golden Globes nomination for her portrayal. The film's ensemble was recognized by critics groups for its timely subject matter and craft. It helped push the conversations into awards season chatter and highlighted the craft behind performances.
What Viewers Are Saying
Bombshell spots a sharp look at the women at Fox News who push back against a culture of harassment, powered by standout performances from Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie. It traces their push to bring the story to light through tense on air moments and behind the scenes pressure, ending with Roger Ailes' downfall. Some viewers feel the storytelling is a bit conventional and the filmmaking a touch safe, but the makeup and the trio's chemistry carry the film and leave you thinking about how far the fight has come and how much further it has to go.
Details
- Release Date
- December 13, 2019
- Runtime
- 1h 49m
- Rating
- R
- User Ratings
- 3,140 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Drama
- Country
- Canada
- Studio
- Lighthouse Management + Media +4 more
- Budget
- $32,000,000
- Box Office
- $61,404,394
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Charlize Theron
Megyn Kelly
Margot Robbie
Kayla Pospisil
Nicole Kidman
Gretchen Carlson
John Lithgow
Roger Ailes
Allison Janney
Susan Estrich
Malcolm McDowell
Rupert Murdoch
Kate McKinnon
Jess Carr
Connie Britton
Beth Ailes
Liv Hewson
Lily Balin
Jack Haven
Julia Clarke
Director: Jay Roach
Written by: Charles Randolph