Oscar-Nominated: Best Actress. “Isabelle Huppert wields a Dirty Harry-style handgun at one point in this payback thriller by Dutch director Paul Verhoeven (The 4th Man; Basic Instinct). Make no mistake, though, about what the real firepower is: Huppert’s own furious energy, as she fearlessly assumes the role and creates one of the year’s most potent cinema experiences.
“Huppert deserves serious awards consideration for one of the most significant roles of her remarkable career: a woman who seeks unusual closure after a masked stranger rapes her in her home.
“Equal parts sexploitation drama, social satire and empowerment fantasy, Elle leaves us unsure of what we’re watching and how we should respond. The film challenges genre conventions and also notions of the 'correct' response to sexual assault.” -Toronto Star