Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017)

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is that rare biographical drama that feels truly alive: a smart, sensual, deeply human look at the messy intersection of love, ambition, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. Angela Robinson directs with a steady, empathetic hand, letting Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, and Bella Heathcote build a believable, electric triangle where intellect and desire are inseparable, and where tenderness can be as radical as rebellion. The film carries a lush, intimate vibe—part period romance, part ideas-driven character study—while quietly illuminating how Wonder Woman emerged not from a boardroom, but from a complicated household and a fiercely feminist imagination. It is candid about sexuality and power dynamics (and very much earns its R rating), so it won’t be for everyone, but if you’re open to an adult drama that treats unconventional love with seriousness and feeling, it’s a fascinating, unexpectedly moving watch.

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women wants to be a grown-up, empathetic look at the messy human story behind Wonder Woman, mixing romance, psychology, and cultural backlash into one provocative biopic. It’s at its best when it focuses on the central trio—Luke Evans, Rebecca Hall, and Bella Heathcote have real chemistry, and the film treats their relationship with more tenderness than cheap shock value. But once the setup is done, the pacing sags and the direction leans a bit too safe and sentimental, so what should feel daring can start to feel like a conventional “important true story” hitting familiar beats. If you’re expecting a sharp, propulsive deep-dive into comics history or a formally bold drama about sex and power, you may find it surprisingly tame and uneven, even if the subject matter is anything but.