The Beguiled (2017)

Directed by Sofia Coppola, this chilling war drama is set at a mysterious, secluded boarding school for girls in Virginia during the American Civil War. The school is run by Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman), who prays to be able to keep the young women in her care safe from harm until the end of the war.

She succeeds, until a wounded soldier, played by Colin Farrell, appears on the school grounds. He’s on the run, and at death’s door, and so Miss Martha takes him in. Along with her students, she nurses him back to health. But none of them have any idea of the danger he poses.

Kirsten Dunst plays Edwina and Elle Fanning plays Alicia, two of the girls who find themselves competing for the corporal’s affections and sexual attentions.

This is Coppola’s interpretation of the original film from 1971, and though some critics prefer the original, The Spectator says, “This is clever, tense, gripping, told at a lick – it’s less than 90 minutes – and while revenge is a dish best served cold, it’s pretty good served this way too.”