Charlie Says (2019)
Graduate student helps rehabilitate three women imprisoned for notorious murders, exploring complex themes. Fans of true crime will enjoy.
Genres: Drama, Crime
Cast
- Cast member 1
- Cast member 2
- Cast member 3
- Cast member 4
- Cast member 5
- Cast member 6
- Cast member 7
- Cast member 8
- Cast member 9
- Cast member 10

Your Status
Charlie Says(2019)
Overview
Three young women were sentenced to death in the infamous Manson murder case, but when the death penalty was lifted, their sentence became life imprisonment. One young graduate student was sent in to teach them – and through her we witness their transformations as they face the reality of their horrific crimes.
My Friends' Ratings
None of your friends have rated this yet.
Cast
Full Cast & Crew
Hannah Murray
Leslie Van Houten

Sosie Bacon
Patricia Krenwinkel

Marianne Rendón
Susan Atkins

Merritt Wever
Karlene Faith

Matt Smith
Charles Manson

Suki Waterhouse
Mary Brunner

Chace Crawford
Tex Watson

Annabeth Gish
Virginia Carlson

Kayli Carter
Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme

Cameron Gellman
Bobby Beausoleil

Matt Riedy
Police Chief Davis

Grace Van Dien
Sharon Tate

Lindsay Farris
Jay Sebring

Julia Schlaepfer
Sandra Good

James Trevena
Dennis Wilson

Bridger Zadina
Paul Watkins

India Ennenga
Linda Kasabian

Dan Olivo
Leno LaBianca

Jackie Joyner
Rosemary LaBianca

Morgan Melton
Ruth Ann Moorehouse
Featured Comments/Tips
“We wanted to believe something big was going to happen” - Leslie ‘Lulu’ Van Houten Just couldn’t like the story. Not real sure the feelings it wanted. With that said I was impressed with some of the performances like Hannah Murry 'amp; Susie Bacon. They are the only reason for my 2 stars. :clapper::clock5::black_joker:
It’s not fair for me to rate this, as I don’t like real life horror, it actually makes me feel ill. It wasn’t my choice to watch it and actually fell asleep during it as I wasn’t watching out of choice. Nor do I know a great deal about the Manson murders. The little I did watch seemed to be done well, good acting etc. I liked the focus on the female members of his cult and it shown in another perception. How much of it is true I don’t know. I don’t know if the females were in away victims or not; they still committed horrendous crimes. If you enjoy true life horror events, you’ll probably enjoy it, but it’s not for me. So no ratings for me, nor is it in my lists.
The Manson story has been told countless times before, but by placing a focus on the rehabilitation of his graduates, this offers more interest than it might otherwise have done. Great performances too, especially from Matt Smith who disappears into the role.
Featured User Reviews
Let me start out by saying that this looks like a medium to create sympathy for the three women still in jail as they are repeatedly refused parole for their life sentences. Manipulated or not, these "girls" brutally murdered innocents in multiple locations and did it willingly. Yes, they were weak, like most of the hippie/boomer generation, were spoiled and wanted all the privileges without any of the responsibilities required of them by society. This film pushes the touchie-feelie Liberalism that got us into the problems we now have in society. Weak-willed or not, these "harmless girls" viciously slaughtered multiple people and then were portrayed as brainwashed innocents who sweet-talked their guards, played nice-nice with any "outsider" yet had complete control over their actions. We are meant to believe that they had no choice to do what they did and were completely innocent of their malicious crimes. They "turned on, tuned in, dropped out" then looked for sympathy for their actions. This attempt to cancel out actual history for an emotional version of it made my stomach churn. Yes, I realize this film was directed at those who weren't even alive when the Manson Family committed their bloody rampage and most have very little to no actual knowledge of the violence they created in 1969. Nevertheless, this just seems like a way to soften the hearts of the parole board by creating sympathy with the general populace who never saw the brutal crime scene photos.
Charlie Says “follow my ruthless indoctrination with limited psychological depth”. Charlie also says “forget about ‘Doctor Who’, I can be a credible talent by portraying a notorious serial killer with a bushy beard and questionable accent”. What Charlie forgot to say though was “it’s still an ill-mannered interpretation of events that rarely conveys humanisation within its real-life human characters”. For a year that had approximately three feature-length titles depicting the murder of Sharon Tate, Harron’s meticulous angle is the most welcomed approach. Purely focusing on the “family” and how Manson brainwashed them into believing his own radical fantasy, the story hones in on a psychologist assisting three female followers in realising the reality of their heinous actions. Consequently, the narrative written by Turner is constructed through the tired structure of flashbacks, whilst holding an ounce of gravitas. And I can visibly touch the intangible perspective that Turner aimed for. Almost tasting its ingenuity. Proposing a psychological position of events that have been retold repeatedly within cinema, by targeting the process of curing indoctrination. Yes, Sharon Tate and other rich folk get slashed, stabbed and butchered. However, instead of showcasing those murders for the sake of fulfilling the sadism of viewers, it holds intentions. Crucial events in the escalation of Manson’s brainwashing capabilities, puppeteering his female marionettes. Producing credible grounds for psychological analysis. The fundamental issue though, is that the analysis and exploration of this psychosis is incredibly shallow. A noticeable absence of gradual cognitive dynamics between protagonist Leslie (aptly named Lulu by Manson) and her new leader. Manson’s omnipotent stance is addressed immediately with no real progressive foundations. An impressionable Leslie is recruited and just happens to follow Manson’s orders without hesitation. That inner moral conflict between everything she once knew and all that she relinquished was missing. Occasionally, her abrupt pauses and glistening eyes, which were portrayed eloquently by Murray, illustrated indications of self-questioning. Yet somehow felt forced, juxtaposing her initial stance when recruited. Fortunately their incarceration at the institution meant that their ideals and beliefs could be interrogated, likening Manson’s infectious faith to an extreme Christian denomination. Although not as much of the runtime was expended on this acute angle that would’ve made for a more engaging psychological drama. A shame really as it wastes the talent of Wever. Smith offered a credible portrayal of the eponymous murderer, yet personally was unable to break away from his usual quirks cemented in his stint on ‘Doctor Who’. The whole talking to inanimate objects and nonsensical splurges about nothing. It must be infuriatingly difficult for him, but he did a decent job by showcasing his versatility. Even if his Northamptonshire accent popped in to say “alright mate?” from time to time. Overall, a frustrating biographical film, I must say. The approach to the “family” was, dare I say, near-perfect. However the absence of emotional, psychological and structural depth resulted in a middling drama that simply retold events, rather than powering them. Charlie said “jump!” but Harron and Turner were unable to reach his intended height. Missed opportunity to title this “Charlie’s Angels” though...
You might also like...

68 Kill
2017

J. Edgar
2011

Kill the Messenger
2014

Life
2015

Lizzie
2018

Lovelace
2013

Low Down
2014

Mr. Nice
2010

The Glorias
2020

On the Basis of Sex
2018

Suffragette
2015

The Better Angels
2014

The Notorious Bettie Page
2005

The Whistleblower
2010

Trial by Fire
2019

Tumbledown
2016

Rust Creek
2019

Bombshell
2019

True History of the Kelly Gang
2019

Radioactive
2020

Dalíland
2022

White House Plumbers
2023

The Wizard of Lies
2017

Alias Grace
2017

Griselda
2024
Videos
Leave a Comment/Tip
Write a Review
Set Alert
We'll notify you when Charlie Says becomes available on:
Report an Issue
What's wrong with this page?
Create New List
Examples:
- Sci-Fi Classics
- Date Night Movies
- Shows to Watch with Kids
- Award Winners
Charlie Says Poster

Available in 5 Countries
Select Your Region
Choose your region to see available streaming services and content in your area.