Professor Marston & the Wonder Women

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Professor Marston & the Wonder Women

R

2017

1h 48m

Biography

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

180 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

If behind every great man is a great woman, then Harvard psychologist and inventor Dr. William Moulton Marston has the good fortune of having two -- his wife Elizabeth and their mutual lover Olive Byrne. In addition to helping him perfect the lie detector test, the two women also inspire him to create one of the greatest female superheroes of all time -- the beloved comic book character Wonder Woman.

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Critics Consensus

Professor Marston & The Wonder Women winds a lasso of cinematic truth around a fascinating fact-based tale with strong performances from its three stars.

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Heather Hogan

Autostraddle

Jul 2, 2018

She's brought an ardent screenplay, a soaring score, and unapologetically gauzy sunlight to bear on the story of the man, his wife, and their lover who created the most iconic female superhero of all time.

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Mark Matousek

Slant Magazine

Dec 13, 2017

2/4

This is a film about eroticism and passion that is neither erotic nor passionate.

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Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

Nov 16, 2017

3/5

At times the movie veers into sentimentality and the pacing slacks off in the final 30 minutes, but it never loses its magnetic focus on those three strong, central performances.

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Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

Dec 14, 2022

Robinson explores their love with great sensitivity and eroticism and without sensationalism and also celebrates the power of creativity and intellectual curiosity.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 18, 2021

3/4

The breezy first half gives way to a more cumbersome second part, but the film never loses altitude in either its open-minded approach or in its pointed criticism of conservative prudery and anti-intellectualism.

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Jason Best

What's On TV

Dec 20, 2020

4/5

This decidedly odd and kinky tale is evidently a passion project for writer-director Angela Robinson (maker of cheeky teen spy spoof D.E.B.S.), and she brings a sly wit and touching sweetness to her telling of it.

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SIMAS C

@simas_eros 12 hrs ago

More than just an excellent film on every level, this movie surprises by revealing a little-known story about the creator of the comic book character Wonder Woman. The very same man who—through his work as a researcher, psychologist, and inventor—created the polygraph (the "lie detector"), also applied his discoveries and theories regarding the human mind and sexuality both subliminally within his comic books and in his own personal life. A brilliant biographical film about a unique life that is simply unforgettable.

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BJ M

@HotMovieStar Aug 22, 2026

Really interesting story, well acted. I really enjoyed the film but I can understand that some people who are very prudish about sex would not like the premise and pan the movie for that reason.

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Priya C

@Sci-FiTrekkie Jun 26, 2026

Really strong performances from the three main cast members and I loved seeing the origins of Wonder Woman. I was disappointed with some things but overall it's a good film.

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Meri S.

@mschroeder Mar 20, 2026

What an interesting story I knew nothing about. The family dynamic was, and probably still is, so unconventional Kept my attention and hard to believe at times, but based on a true story. So there’s that.

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KURT G

@HonestReviewer2000 Mar 17, 2026

The only reason I gave it 2 stars was for the fact that it explains the origins of the lie detector machine...the vast majority of the movie is disturbing, disgusting and disheartening.

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G.D. 0

@Daniel-jgm1 Feb 21, 2024

Love this movie so much

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Angela Robinson

Director

Luke Evans

William Moulton Marston

Rebecca Hall

Elizabeth Marston

Bella Heathcote

Olive Byrne

Connie Britton

Josette Frank

Monica Giordano

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Synopsis

If behind every great man is a great woman, then Harvard psychologist and inventor Dr. William Moulton Marston has the good fortune of having two -- his wife Elizabeth and their mutual lover Olive Byrne. In addition to helping him perfect the lie detector test, the two women also inspire him to create one of the greatest female superheroes of all time -- the beloved comic book character Wonder Woman.

Director: Angela Robinson
Producer: Terry Leonard, Amy Redford
Screenwriter: Angela Robinson
Distributor: Annapurna Pictures
Production Co: Strongman, Stage 6 Films, Topple Productions, Boxspring Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Brief Graphic Images|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 13, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 48m

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