GoodWatchSign up

The Scarlet Letter

1995·Movie
2h 15min·R

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Scarlet Letter fingerprint

Strong craft, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Spectacle6
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Moving and romantic

  • Pathos8
  • Romance7
  • Melancholy7

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Satire & Parody4
  • Dark Humor4
  • Wit & Wordplay3

World

History, society, and mystery

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout characters

  • Character Depth8
  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

When intimacy is forbidden and passion is a sin, love is the most defiant crime of all.

Set in puritanical Boston in the mid 1600s, the story of seamstress Hester Prynne, who is outcast after she becomes pregnant by a respected reverend. She refuses to divulge the name of the father, is "convicted" of adultery and forced to wear a scarlet "A" until an Indian attack unites the Puritans and leads to a reevaluation of their laws and morals.
Historical RomancePuritan EraAdulterySocial OutcastMelodramaMoral ConflictIntense Drama17th Century Boston

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Scarlet Letter

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Scarlet Letter legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Scarlet Letter worth watching?

32
BadGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 33/100 (IMDb 5.4 and Rotten Tomatoes 13%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Scarlet Letter rated?

RSexual contentViolence

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: sexual content and violence.

How long is The Scarlet Letter?

2 h 15 min

The Scarlet Letter runs 2 h 15 min.

Is The Scarlet Letter based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Scarlet Letter?

Critics13
Audiences48

Not quite. Audiences rate The Scarlet Letter higher (48) than critics (13). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was The Scarlet Letter a box office hit?

Budget$50 million
Box office$10 million

No. It cost about $50 million to make and earned $10 million worldwide, 21% of its budget.

What language is The Scarlet Letter in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Scarlet Letter?

46ARATAUBOBRBZCACLCOCRCZDEDKDO+32

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Scarlet Letter in 46 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Scarlet Letter use?

The Scarlet LetterManga ClassicsThe Scarlet Letter (1926)The Scarlet Letter (1995)Meg FosterJohn UpdikeEasy A

TV Tropes lists 7 storytelling tropes for The Scarlet Letter, including The Scarlet Letter, Manga Classics, The Scarlet Letter (1926).