The Assistant

A young woman, Jane, lands her dream job as a junior assistant to a powerful executive in the cutthroat world of New York media. Day after day, she endures grueling hours, demeaning tasks, and a pervasive sense of unease as she witnesses the toxic work environment and the casual abuse of power. The film follows her attempts to navigate this oppressive system and grapple with her complicity, or lack thereof, in the face of mounting ethical dilemmas.

The Assistant was widely praised by critics for its subtle yet powerful portrayal of workplace abuse and its unnerving atmosphere. Many lauded Julia Garner's performance and Kitty Green's sharp, observational direction. While some found the film's deliberate pacing and quiet intensity challenging, the overwhelming consensus was that it offered a vital and timely commentary on systemic inequality and the silencing of victims in corporate settings.

• Praised for its chillingly realistic depiction of a toxic workplace.

• Julia Garner's performance is a standout, embodying quiet desperation.

• Critiqued by some for its slow-burn pacing and lack of explicit narrative resolution.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's realistic portrayal of workplace dynamics and the nuanced performance by Julia Garner. Some viewers found the story relatable and impactful, while others felt it was too understated or lacked a satisfying conclusion.

Screened in competition at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019. Nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language at the British Independent Film Awards.

Director Kitty Green drew inspiration for the film from numerous interviews she conducted with women who had worked in assistant roles in various industries, hearing firsthand accounts of the subtle and overt forms of abuse and harassment they experienced.