‘Shirley’ Review: Elizabeth Moss portrays Jackson as a character in her own psychological horror stories

Elizabeth Moss’s portrayal of the American writer Shirley Jackson in Hulu’s biopic film ‘Shirley’ is as intriguing as the characters in her novels. Releasing on June 5 on Hulu, the film created by Sarah Gubbins has added a bit of sinister edge to Jackson’s semi-fictionalized character, which leaves you with a lot to think about. 

‘Shirley’ is built around Jackson’s tumultuous relationship with her Bennington college professor-husband Stanley Hyman (Michael Stuhlbarg), and darkness it brings into the life Rose and Fred Nemser (Logan Lerman), a couple who come to Vermont in the 1960s to stay with the writer and her husband for a short period of time.

Jackson is introduced as an eccentric intellectual, sipping scotch in a room full of other intellectuals, who are eager to learn about the estranged woman whose rare appearance always leaves the people of the town in shock. Though the characters in Jackson's stories talk about the oppression of women back in time and the writer often finds an escape through her fantasies, in real life, she continues to subject herself to patriarchy in the hands of a cheating husband.  

Jackson, who attempts drowning her sorrows in alcohol finds peace in Rose’s presence while treating the latter as a subject for her new novel. When Rose’s husband, apart from assisting Stanley as a scholar, follows in his footsteps by getting involved with his female students, Rose begins to re-think her decisions and priorities. 

The female characters clearly take the center stage in the movie, peeling layers of different relationships and emotions through their respective roles. ‘Shirley’ portrays ideas and beliefs through Shirley and Rose, way ahead of their time. However, the movie isn’t just fragmented from Jackson’s real-life incidents driven by emotions and social issues. ‘Shirley’ narration is slightly hallucinogenic as it switches between story arcs often, and as the plot progresses, it’s difficult to tell Jackson’s fantasies and real-life apart. But that is what makes Josephine Decker’s direction stand out. The scenes showcasing life in the Victorian era are a feast for the eyes and display of homosexuality in a time when women were devoid of a voice and choice, strangely soothing to watch. 

As far as Moss’s acting is concerned, she has done an exceptional job in bringing Jackson’s character to life. Meanwhile, Odessa Young has aced Rose’s role as a submissive ‘wifey’ to her husband and Jackson’s secret lover. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Susan Scarf. The book follows a twisted writer and her treacherous husband who tricks a young into becoming their servant. Meanwhile, ‘Shirley’ primarily explores the relationship between Jackson and Rose, besides retaining the infidelity and horror-thriller aspects. 

‘Shirley’ dropped on Hulu on June 5.