Misbehaviour (2020) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In the bustling heart of 1970 London, the Miss World competition shines like a glittering beacon of post‑war confidence, its live television splendor amplified by the wry repartee of Bob Hope. Beneath the sequins and polished stage lies a society still wrestling with rigid gender expectations, and the glitzy spectacle becomes a flashpoint for a growing cultural conversation. The film captures the era’s vibrant optimism while letting the undercurrents of sexism and commercial exploitation ripple just out of view, setting a tone that feels both celebratory and sharply observant.

Enter Sally Alexander, a sharp‑minded history student at University College London whose academic curiosity quickly collides with activism. At a women's‑rights conference she encounters Jo Robinson, a charismatic feminist determined to give voice to the movement’s grievances. Drawn together by a mix of idealism and personal stakes—Sally’s strained relationship with her mother and the steady support of her partner Gareth—the duo finds themselves at the center of a daring plan to make the Miss World stage a platform for protest. Their preparation is as much about confronting internal doubts as it is about challenging the external status quo, creating a compelling personal dynamic that drives the story forward.

Amid the pageantry, the contestants themselves bring nuanced perspectives to the mix. Pearl Jansen, representing a contested region, navigates the political complexities of her appearance, while Jennifer Hosten, a poised representative from Grenada, confronts the weight of expectations placed upon her. Marjorie Johansson, the favourite from Sweden, quietly reveals the pressures of being the face of an idealized beauty. As the live broadcast looms, the film balances the dazzling allure of the competition with the simmering tension of a movement ready to speak out, leaving the audience poised on the edge of a historic showdown where glamour and rebellion intersect.