Wicked Little Letters turns a scandal in a small English town into an engaging study of prejudice and relationships. Thea Sharrock's film gains much of its emotional force from Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley.
In Littlehampton during the 1920s, anonymous, offensive letters disturb the community. Suspicion falls on the outspoken Rose Gooding, while police officer Gladys Moss begins to question the apparent explanation. The accusations threaten more than Rose's reputation.
Colman and Buckley make Edith Swan and Rose distinct, complicated people. Their changing relationship gives the film an emotional center, moving between connection and mistrust. Anjana Vasan contributes an effective presence as Gladys.
Sharrock's direction and Jonny Sweet's screenplay connect the period setting with concerns that remain recognizable. Costumes and production design establish the town's world, while Ben Davis's images support the mood and the characters.
For me, the film succeeds as entertainment with something to consider beneath the scandal. Rumor and false accusation can tear a community apart quickly; determination and the willingness to question assumptions become essential. The performances give those themes human consequences, making the story emotionally involving without losing its lively character.
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