The Women

The Women

Year: 2008

Runtime: 114 min

Language: French

Director: Diane English

Budget: $16M

DramaComedy

When Mary Haines discovers her husband's infidelity, her life is thrown into turmoil. Seeking support, she turns to her close circle of friends who work in Manhattan’s competitive publishing, fashion, and finance worlds. Led by the ambitious Sylvie Fowler, the women offer comfort and advice, but as Mary confronts the complexities of her situation, their own relationships and loyalties are challenged. The film explores the intricacies of female friendship and the difficulties of navigating love, loss, and betrayal.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Women yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – The Women (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Women (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary (early 2000s)

The events unfold in a contemporary setting, reflecting the fashion industry and social dynamics of the era. The movie uses recognizable locations and a modern, media-driven social circle to explore relationships, career, and reputation. It portrays a time when magazines, retail power players, and gossip columns shape a woman's life and choices.

Location

Connecticut, New York City

The story is anchored in a stylish suburban home in Connecticut, signaling a life of comfort and social polish. The fashion world of New York City looms large, with Sylvie steering a high-profile magazine and Saks Fifth Avenue as backdrop for the affair. The contrast between the intimate, polished home life and the glittering, demanding urban scene underscores the tension between personal happiness and public image.

🏠 Suburban life 🗽 Fashion industry cityscape 💎 Wealthy social circle

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:28

Main Characters – The Women (2008)

Meet the key characters of The Women (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Mary Haines (Annette Bening)

Mary is a devoted wife and mother who appears to have a perfect suburban life. When she confronts her husband's affair, she moves from shock to determination, ultimately choosing independence and a fresh start while attempting to repair her marriage. She channels resilience into launching her own clothing line and rebuilding her family relationship.

💼 👩‍👧‍👦 🎨

Sylvie Fowler (Meg Ryan)

Sylvie is a powerful editor navigating the pressures of fashion media. She initially supports Mary but betrays her to protect her own career, revealing the fragility of loyalty in a gossip-driven industry. She later steps away from her job, reflecting a personal reckoning with ambition and friendship.

📰 💃 🏙️

Crystal

Crystal is the perfume salesgirl whose affair with Mary's husband catalyzes the central conflict. She embodies the collision of personal desire and social fantasy within a consumerist setting, becoming a catalyst for upheaval in the women's lives.

💎 💄 🧪

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:28

Major Themes – The Women (2008)

Explore the central themes of The Women (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🤝 Friendship

The four women form a tight-knit circle that supports each other through personal upheaval. They navigate loyalty, jealousy, and the balancing act of careers and family. The film tracks how trust can fracture under strain, and how reconciliation requires humility and sacrifice.

🗞️ Betrayal & Gossip

Gossip and media attention drive much of the conflict, turning private pain into public spectacle. Mary's discovery of her husband's affair, and Sylvie's decision to share the affair for professional gain, expose how reputations are managed in a fashionable, judgmental world. The narrative shows how truth can be weaponized in service of ambition.

💪 Independence

Mary reclaims her agency by starting her own clothing line, challenging the traditional roles expected of her. The pursuit of personal and professional autonomy is a throughline that culminates in her fashion show and renewed focus on daughter Molly. The film frames empowerment as a process of rebuilding life on one's own terms.

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:28

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about uplifting reinvention like The Women

Stories about finding strength and a new direction after a major personal crisis.If you enjoyed watching Mary Haines rebuild her life in The Women, you'll appreciate these other films about personal reinvention. Discover movies like The Women that focus on finding strength after heartbreak, navigating career shifts, and the empowering support of friendship.

empoweringresilienthopefulintrospectivesupportiveupliftingdramatic

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character through a devastating personal event that shatters their existing life. Instead of succumbing to despair, they slowly and deliberately begin to rebuild, often with the help of a strong support system. The story arc is defined by personal and professional growth, leading to a resolution that is more hopeful and fulfilling than the character's starting point.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared journey from crisis to hopeful renewal. They feature a moderate emotional weight, a steady pacing that allows for reflection and growth, and a tone that is ultimately hopeful and empowering, focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel.

Dramas about female friendship similar to The Women

Films exploring the intricate dynamics and unwavering support of women's friendships.Fans of The Women's portrayal of female camaraderie will find more to love in these films. Explore movies similar to The Women that center on the power, drama, and support of complex female friendships, set against the backdrop of modern life and career challenges.

supportivedramaticcomplex relationshipselegantconversationalempoweringintrospective

Narrative Summary

The plot is driven by the interactions, conflicts, and unwavering support within a close-knit circle of female friends. While external events like romantic entanglements or career hurdles provide context, the core of the story is how these friendships are tested, strengthened, and ultimately serve as the primary source of strength for the characters. The narrative often weaves together the individual storylines of each woman.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their primary focus on the nuances of female relationships. They share a moderate complexity due to multiple character arcs, a steady pacing that allows for rich character development, and a mood that is both dramatic and ultimately supportive, highlighting the power of female solidarity.

Unlock the Full Story of The Women

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Women in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Women is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Women Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Women, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Women Summary

The Women Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Women with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Women Timeline

The Women Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Women that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Women Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Women

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Women: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Women

Similar Movies to The Women

Discover movies like The Women that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.