Anne Hathaway had a busy 2026, starring in five films, three of which were solid hits. But buried in her filmography is a 2023 gem that barely made a ripple: ‘Eileen.’ This psychological thriller, based on Ottessa Moshfegh’s acclaimed 2015 novel, flew under the radar, yet it’s one of her best works in recent years. Moshfegh, who co-wrote the screenplay with Luke Goebel, crafted a story that debuted to rave reviews, winning awards and earning nods for prestigious prizes. The film adaptation, directed by William Oldroyd (of ‘Lady Macbeth’ fame), finally hit screens in 2023, but audiences mostly ignored it. That’s a shame, because ‘Eileen’ is a chilling, stylish ride that deserves your attention, especially if you’re looking to skip over Hathaway’s weaker efforts like the Colleen Hoover adaptation.
The movie stars Thomasin McKenzie as Eileen, a quiet, repressed secretary in a 1964 Massachusetts youth prison, trapped in a miserable life with her abusive father. Then Anne Hathaway enters as Dr. Rebecca St. John, a glamorous counselor who captivates Eileen, sparking a dark obsession. Moshfegh herself was blown away by the adaptation, calling the first cut ‘so much better than my book.’ Critics agreed, with rave reviews praising Hathaway’s magnetic performance and the film’s tense atmosphere. It earned an 81% on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers hailing it as a ‘triumphant’ success. Despite the buzz, ‘Eileen’ only pulled in $1.8 million at the box office, becoming a Sundance standout that nobody watched. If you’re a fan of Hathaway or psychological thrillers, do yourself a favor and check it out—it’s a hidden gem that’ll stick with you.
