May December: A Tense Drama Exploring Scandal, Identity, and Exploitation

Loosely Based on the Mary Kay Letourneau Scandal, the Film Critiques Our True-Crime Obsession

May December, a film by Todd Haynes, is a tense drama that explores the consequences of dredging up secrets from the past. It stars Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo, a woman with a scandalous past, and Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry, an actress preparing to portray Gracie in a movie.
The film is loosely based on the real-life scandal of Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who had a sexual relationship with her 13-year-old student, Vili Fualaau, later marrying him and having children together.
Portman's character, Elizabeth, begins to imitate Gracie in preparation for her role, adopting her expressions, style, and personality. This mimicry blurs moral lines and stirs up past traumas within Gracie's family.
Charles Melton plays Joe, Gracie's husband, who was the boy involved in the original scandal. His performance has been praised as a stunning portrayal of a man grappling with his past.
The film is a critique of our current true-crime obsession, implicating not only the characters but also the audience in the exploitation and voyeurism inherent in such narratives.