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Sylvia

Sylvia

Life was too small to contain her.

2003100 minRMidcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films
Director
Christine Jeffs
Starring
Gwyneth Paltrow, Daniel Craig, Jared Harris, Amira Casar

Story of the relationship between the poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Sylvia?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Sylvia to rent or buy on Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Sylvia?

Sylvia earns 5 badges, led by Visual feast and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is Sylvia worth watching?

Sylvia's Midcredits score is the 52nd percentile of all films, from 22K ratings across 6 sources. 49% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

52nd percentile

Better received than 52% of films

27th percentile among Biography50th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)52nd
Approval (how many liked it)51st

62 /100

52nd percentile of all films

28th percentile among Biography51st percentile among 2000s

Critics 56 · Audience 63

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.4 — solid but not unanimous.

49% liked it

51st percentile of all films

25th percentile among Biography48th percentile among 2000s
49% rated it 7–1051% rated it 1–6

Critics 37% · Audience 56%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of audiences approved than critics.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 1 wins / 0 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

85th percentile

22K ratings across platforms

67th percentile among Biography77th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

Box office

Budget£7M

In British pound, not converted to dollars.

Opening weekend$59K
Domestic gross$1.3M
Worldwide gross$2.9M

48th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film focuses on Plath's troubled marriage to Ted Hughes rather than her poetry or inner life.

Fans praised

  • Gwyneth Paltrow's performance captures Plath's fragility and torment
  • Cinematography and period look evoke a moody, immersive atmosphere
  • Balanced portrayal of the Plath-Hughes relationship without demonizing either

Detractors panned

  • Fails to convey Plath's poetic genius or the richness of her work
  • Reduces her story to a dreary marital melodrama with little insight
  • Overwrought score and flat pacing make the film dull and uninvolving

What stands out

Cinematography80

Atmospheric, period-appropriate visual style widely noted

ActingDivisive75

Paltrow's performance praised as nuanced, but some find Craig wooden or miscast

AtmosphereDivisive70

Gloomy, claustrophobic tone mirrors Plath's depression

CharactersDivisive40

Plath reduced to jealous, neurotic housewife; Hughes one-dimensional

Plot and storyDivisive35

Narrow focus on marriage, skips childhood and earlier life

PacingDivisive35

Slow, uneven, with long stretches of tedium

Originality30

Standard biopic formula, offers no new insight

Sound and musicDivisive30

Overwrought, intrusive score detracts from mood

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 17 points higher than US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 7 points apart
  • Critics vs users 6 points apart

Watch experience

What is Sylvia like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

No single mood: browse every movie of this kindNo one kind of watch fits it, so it is described by how heavy it is.

Watch this when you are ready for heavy feelings, and you want something dark.

It is intense, takes its time and leaves you haunted. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Moods
MelancholicTense
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its material straight, treating Plath's suffering with empathy and gravity rather than distance or irony.
The rideThe mood shifts from romantic hope to growing tension and melancholy, becoming heaviest as Sylvia's plan unfolds.
StructureA straightforward chronological biopic, from the couple's 1956 Cambridge meeting through the breakdown of the marriage and its aftermath.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Haunted.

Haunting · 14% of filmsBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves the sadness of Plath's decline and the weight of her legacy lingering after the credits.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3% (this title)
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Crushed by fate: Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.

9% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeA tragic biopic tracking a poetic marriage's collapse; Plath is destroyed less by her own choices than by forces beyond her control — chronic depression and Hughes's infidelity — fitting tragedy's crushed_by_fate.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22% (this title): Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% (this title) · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% (this title) · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Self

Identity · 14% of filmsAmbition · 7% of filmsBetrayal · 5% of films
Mourns its theme: Grieves its theme, or what has been lost of it.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film explores Sylvia Plath's struggle to define herself as a poet against her husband's fame and her own mental fragility.
StanceThe film mourns the loss of a brilliant poet to a marriage that stifles her identity and ambition.

The world

Mid 20th centuryUrbanRuralRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · Gabriel Yared
SettingCambridge and London literary circles of the 1950s–60s
MusicThe score uses a classical palette to underscore the emotional weight and period setting.

Content guide

Is Sylvia okay for kids?

R

Sylvia is rated R: “Rated R for sexuality/nudity and language” (MPAA). As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (44/100), sexual content at moderate (56/100), language at moderate (53/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (40/100) and frightening material at mild (33/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UK15
  • Hungary16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 67%
Profanity
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Mild
too few votes to rank (5 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (46 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Sylvia have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Sylvia?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Gwyneth Paltrow
as Sylvia Plath
Established: A standing when this film came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Daniel Craig
as Ted Hughes
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jared Harris
as Al Alvarez
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Amira Casar
as Assia Wevill
Andrew Havill
as David Wevill
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Sam Troughton
as Tom Hadley-Clarke
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Lucy Davenport
as Doreen
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Antony Strachan
as Michael Boddy
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Blythe Danner
as Aurelia Plath
Michael Gambon
as Professor Thomas
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Sylvia?

Movies like Sylvia include Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman (2005), The Edge of Love (2008) and Revolutionary Road (2008). Of the 12 closest matches, several are stories of infidelity, and most are films set in the 1950s.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

6 of these 12 share its story type: biopic. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Sylvia?

2.8K other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: biopic. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.