Summary
Freshman high-school student Melinda has refused to speak ever since she called the cops on a popular summer party.
Good for
- Friends night
- Thought-provoking
- Adults
Where to watch
Fingerprint
At a glance
Critics vs audiences
Critics and audiences agree
Critics 80Audiences 76GoodWatch 77
Tomatometer80%
Audience score78%
Letterboxd · 220 K ratings3.9/5
IMDb7.2
Running time
1 h 33 min
Shorter than most dramas, −16 min on the typical 109
typical 10993Half of all dramas run 98–125 min.
Reach
Streams in 3 countries, rent or buy in 1 more
Released
2004
January 20, 2004
22 years ago
Genre
DramaLanguage
English
Original language
Made in
- United States
Rated
- PG-13United States
Better for older viewers: it's rated PG-13 in the United States for sexual content, strong language, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for adults.
What's in it
- ViolenceModerate
- Gore, disturbing imagesLittle or none
- Frightening scenesMild
- Sex, nudityLittle or none
- Dark themesStrong
- Strong languageNamed in the advisories
In white: what the content advisories name. Levels from the title analysis.
Viewing guide
AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-ProvokingNot listed for kids or family movie night.
22 of 22
Kristen StewartMelinda Sordino
Elizabeth PerkinsJoyce Sordino
Steve ZahnMr. Freeman
Michael AngaranoDave Petrakis
D. B. SweeneyJack Sordino
Hallee HirshRachel Bruin
Robert John BurkeMr. Neck
Allison SikoHeather
Eric LivelyAndy Evans- RHRichard HagermanSchool Bus Driver
- RBRemy BrommerYearbook Photographer
- GAGrace AmeterEmily
- TRTyanna RolleyNicole
Leslie LylesHairwoman- KKKimberly KishMs. Keen
- MPMegan PillarIvy
- JLJamie Lee WhiteSocial Studies Student
- CHChristina HardebeckMeg
Caitlyn FolleyGirl at Pep Rally- TRTony RoseboroPrincipal
Susan GardnerGuidance Counselor
Arron KinserArt Student
Directing · 4
- Jessica Sharzer Director, Screenplay, Co-Producer
- Gloria Pichhadze Script Supervisor
- Daniel J. Shaw First Assistant Director
- Kathie Tull Second Assistant Director
Writing · 2
- Annie Young Frisbie Screenplay, Co-Producer
- Laurie Halse Anderson Novel
Production · 4
- Jerry Offsay Executive Producer
- Matthew Myers Producer
- Fred Berner Producer
- Rebecca Rivo Production Supervisor, Associate Producer
Camera · 2
- Andrij Parekh Director of Photography
- Bob Izzo Key Grip
Sound · 8
- Christopher Libertino Original Music Composer
- Damian Volpe Supervising Sound Editor
- Jay Peck Foley Artist
- Dave Paterson Sound Re-Recording Mixer
- Boris Esposito Sound Mixer
- David Ellinwood Dialogue Editor, Sound Editor
Art · 2
- Laura Ballinger Production Design
- Ethan Brooke Art Direction
Costume & Make-Up · 4
- Rebecca Gregg Costume Design
- Kathy Karbowski Wardrobe Supervisor
- Darylin Nagy Makeup Department Head
- Melissa Forney Key Hair Stylist
Lighting · 1
- Frank Stubblefield Gaffer
Other crew · 1
- Lisa France Stunts
Tropes
More like this
Similar
Most like Speak overall
Nearest on the related map: closest in everything it does to you, not one trait
- L.I.E. (2001)
GoodWatch score 75 - Boy A (2008)
GoodWatch score 79 - I Killed My Mother (2009)
GoodWatch score 79 - Margaret (2011)
GoodWatch score 67 - River's Edge (1986)
GoodWatch score 74 - Ben Is Back (2018)
GoodWatch score 70 - White Oleander (2002)
GoodWatch score 69 - What Maisie Knew (2013)
GoodWatch score 77 - Snow Angels (2007)
GoodWatch score 67 - Sling Blade (1996)
GoodWatch score 85 - Adolescence (2025)
GoodWatch score 84 - Short Term 12 (2013)
GoodWatch score 86 - In a Better World (2010)
GoodWatch score 74 - A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)
GoodWatch score 70 - Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)
GoodWatch score 82 - Fat Girl (2001)
GoodWatch score 70
Same genre
More drama movies
- Jojo Rabbit (2019)
GoodWatch score 68 - Top Gun (1986)
GoodWatch score 60 - Life Is Beautiful (1997)
GoodWatch score 78 - Unbreakable (2000)
GoodWatch score 70 - Captain Phillips (2013)
GoodWatch score 83 - Apocalypto (2006)
GoodWatch score 72 - Changeling (2008)
GoodWatch score 69 - Sense and Sensibility (2026)
GoodWatch score 74