This powerful drama on Prime Video was a $20 million box office bomb, but it's a masterpiece

(Image credit: Orion Pictures) Every month, Prime Video — one of the best streaming services around — updates its already extensive library with fresh new movies and TV series for your binging pleasure. August 2026 has been no different, and with that influx of new streaming options comes one of the most harrowing dramas of the past few years."Women Talking" is a Sarah Polley-directed film starring some of the industry’s finest talents (Oscar winners Jessie Buckley and Frances McDormand among them) and centered on an increasingly timely discussion of female agency, bodily autonomy and systemic abuse.If the 2022 indie sounds like a heavy watch, it’s because it is; but it’s also a vital and riveting one, thanks to that stellar all-star cast and a screenplay that nabbed Polley a deserved Academy Award. It didn’t make a ton of money at the box office (in fact, it only grossed $9 million against a $20 million budget, making it a veritable box office bomb). Still, if you weren’t one of the few who saw it in theaters, you can now catch up on the deeply moving drama on Prime Video.What is 'Women Talking' about? WOMEN TALKING | Official Trailer - YouTube Watch On Adapted from Miriam Toews's acclaimed 2018 novel of the same name, “Women Talking” centers on the tragic story of a group of Mennonite women — played by Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Judith Ivey, Sheila McCarthy, Frances McDormand, among others — who are being abused by the men in their close-knit, ultra-conservative community.Much of the action of the film revolves around, as the title suggests, discussions between the women in the days leading up to the jail release of the accused men, as the mothers and daughters try to reconcile the harsh realities of the systemic abuse with their devout faith, and vote on their future: will they continue on as usual, remain in the community but fight back against the injustice, or leave their world altogether?Why I recommend you stream 'Women Talking' (Image credit: Orion Pictures)Though woefully underseen by the public, Polley’s gripping drama did manage to score a coveted Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards, no doubt, in part, for the way the film masterfully retains its tension and intensity despite very little physical action and balances intellectual complexities with emotional depth.The raw lead performances, too, are reason enough to watch, with Jessie Buckley tapping into understandably seething fury over the hypocrisy and brutality of the community’s men, and Rooney Mara conversely offering up a quieter but no less devastating turn as a mother to be weighing what’s best for her and her child.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips."While 'Women Talking' sometimes forsakes entertaining drama in favor of simply getting its points across, its message is valuable-and effectively delivered,” reads the critical consensus over on Rotten Tomatoes, where the film has a solid 90% approval rating.Stream "Women Talking" on Prime Video now Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow Tom's Guide Entertainment on TikTok and Instagram.More from Tom's GuidePrime Video top 10 shows — here’s the 3 worth binge-watching this week3 new to Prime Video thriller movies to watch this week — including an iconic Quentin Tarantino crime epicPrime Video just added 3 must-watch classic movies — including one of the ‘80s most iconic sci-fi action films Christina Izzo is a writer-editor covering culture, food and drink, travel and general lifestyle in New York City. She was previously the Deputy Editor at My Imperfect Life, the Features Editor at Rachael Ray In Season and Reveal, as well as the Food & Drink Editor and chief restaurant critic at Time Out New York.