Working Girls

Working Girls

Year: 1987

Runtime: 93 min

Language: French

Director: Lizzie Borden

Drama

Louise Smith portrays Molly, a photographer documenting a day in the life at a Manhattan brothel. The film offers a nuanced look at the realities of sex work, exploring the interactions between the women and their clients. It examines the challenges they face, the relationships they forge, and the difficult choices they make as they navigate a world of blurred boundaries and complex personal lives.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Working Girls 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!

Working Girls (1987) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Working Girls (1987) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the restless heart of Manhattan, a world often hidden behind neon signs and whispered conversations comes into view through the lens of a determined observer. Molly—a keen‑eyed photographer played by Louise Smith—spends a day wandering the corridors of a downtown brothel, where the ordinary and the extraordinary intersect in quiet moments. The film adopts a vérité style, letting light and shadow reveal the rhythm of a place where work, survival, and humanity intertwine.

The tone balances cool journalistic curiosity with an intimate, almost reverent compassion. As Molly captures candid exchanges between the women and their clients, the camera becomes a conduit for stories that are rarely spoken aloud, hinting at the personal dreams, anxieties, and bonds that sustain them. The setting—an urban oasis of resilience amid the city’s relentless pace—offers a nuanced backdrop that feels both gritty and surprisingly tender, inviting viewers to look beyond stereotypes and see the people behind the façade.

At the center of this portrait stands Molly, whose outsider perspective grants her a fresh lens on the lives unfolding around her. Her own curiosity drives her forward, and her steady presence encourages the residents to reveal fragments of their private worlds. Through her eyes, the audience is drawn into a tapestry of relationships and choices, each thread hinting at deeper currents without spelling them out. The film promises an immersive experience that lingers, as the quiet strength of its subjects and the understated elegance of its storytelling leave much to ponder long after the final frame.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 13:40

Unlock the Full Story of Working Girls

Don't stop at just watching — explore Working Girls 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 Working Girls is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Working Girls Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Working Girls, 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.

Working Girls Summary

Working Girls Timeline

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

Working Girls Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Working Girls

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Working Girls. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Working Girls

More About Working Girls

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Working Girls: 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 Working Girls

Similar Movies to Working Girls

Discover movies like Working Girls 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.