Netflix has added 'Eileen', a 2023 psychological thriller that has been called one of the most divisive films of the decade. Based on Ottessa Moshfegh's debut novel, the film stars Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie and follows two women working at a juvenile detention centre in 1960s Massachusetts.
The film earned an 81% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes but only 53% from audiences, reflecting its polarising nature. After its Sundance premiere in January 2023, critic Amanda the Jedi noted on X: 'EILEEN is so far the biggest well that took a turn movie of the fest. Gonna be polarising but a lot of people will love it.'
Viewers have been divided over the unpredictable plot and shocking finale. One five-star Google review called it 'a little gem' and praised the score, while another said: 'Very original. Unpredictable. I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen next but I was always wrong.'
However, some found the ending frustrating. One viewer commented: 'The plot twist hit me so hard it lost me... so many questions that needed answers.' Another added: 'The ending can get you a little mad. But I recommend watching it!'
Despite the mixed response, many thriller fans consider 'Eileen' one of the most underrated releases of the 2020s. As one review put it: 'It's perfect for those who like their thrillers with a hefty dose of bizarre and a sprinkle of existential dread.'
