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Review of "Miller's Girl" - A Tedious Erotic Drama

Tue Jul 01 2025

The Allure and Pitfalls of “Miller’s Girl”: A Review

Set against the backdrop of Tennessee, “Miller’s Girl” introduces us to Cairo Sweet (Jenna Ortega), a high school senior adrift in the solitude of her opulent home. Her parents, both high-powered lawyers, are perpetually absent, leaving Cairo to find solace in books and her own vivid imagination. Encouraged by her friend Winnie (Gideon Adlon), Cairo enrolls in a class taught by Jonathan Miller (Martin Freeman), a writer whose career never quite took off, leading him to the world of teaching. A connection sparks between the teacher and student, as they bond over their shared love for literature, attending literary events and eventually crossing the line.

Jenna Ortega as Cairo in

Jenna Ortega as Cairo in “Miller’s Girl”

A Clichéd Premise?

“I’m 18, and I’m utterly unremarkable,” Ortega’s character narrates at the film’s outset. Could there be a more overused trope for a teenage girl? From its opening scene to the final credits, “Miller’s Girl” feels like a fan fiction come to life. A mysterious protagonist resides in a dark mansion, wanders through misty forests, and yearns for a grander existence. It feels as though something extraordinary is about to happen to this young woman. For an aspiring writer stuck in rural Tennessee, there’s no room for Cairo’s ambitions. She dreams of Yale and a life brimming with excitement. She believes that becoming part of a thrilling narrative is the key to escaping her mundane reality. Seducing an older teacher seems like an opportunity to gain unique experiences that she can then translate into her writing. The writers in this film are portrayed as caricatures, wallowing in despair and desperately seeking inspiration. Freeman’s character is equally stereotypical: a failed author languishing in school hallways, hoping someone will read his book. And, of course, Cairo does.

Martin Freeman as Jonathan and Jenna Ortega as Cairo in

Martin Freeman as Jonathan and Jenna Ortega as Cairo in “Miller’s Girl”

Performances Overshadow the Narrative

Jenna Ortega struggles to break free from her “Wednesday” persona, sporting the same stoic expression and inhabiting a similarly gothic setting. For fans of the Netflix series, “Miller’s Girl” might offer a chance to see the actress in a familiar role. The lead actors are arguably the film’s only saving grace. There’s no questioning their talent, and they do their best within the confines of their characters. Surprisingly, “Miller’s Girl” once appeared on the “Black List,” a compilation of potentially successful Hollywood screenplays that have yet to be produced. It’s possible that the story of Cairo and Jonathan seemed fresh and even provocative on paper. However, the film falls apart on screen, and director Jade Bartlett, in her debut, fails to offer clear insights, instead relying on an overabundance of mystery, a tactic that can easily become tiresome for the audience.

Martin Freeman as Jonathan in

Jenna Ortega as Cairo in “Miller’s Girl”

Power Dynamics and Blurred Lines

The forbidden relationship between a teacher and student always raises questions of power dynamics. While filmmakers may have once romanticized such connections, contemporary narratives tend to explore the consequences of grooming. Without the inherent power imbalance, the dynamic between Cairo and Jonathan could resemble any story about finding a kindred spirit. The girl seeks someone who recognizes her talent, while the man longs to be seen as a genius in someone’s eyes. However, Cairo’s motivations in the film are somewhat vague. She contemplates passionate love, expresses a desire to define her greatest achievement before adulthood, and seemingly indulges in fantasies to escape her monotonous life. Jade Bartlett leaves much unsaid, but glimpses of truth about the characters’ relationship can be gleaned from the subtext. For instance, Cairo mentions blurred boundaries, for which, of course, the adult is always responsible, not the teenager. And while the girl may sometimes appear as a vengeful villain, the truth is quite clear: no one would have crossed the line if Miller hadn’t been ogling a schoolgirl in a mini-skirt and overstepping the boundaries of their professional relationship.

The film’s title carries a double meaning: Miller is not only the teacher’s surname but also a reference to the American novelist. Cairo chooses the style of Henry Miller, known for his erotic works, for an essay assignment that Jonathan gives exclusively to his favorite student. Perhaps after reading the synopsis, one might expect “Miller’s Girl” to be a profoundly intelligent film with complex characters who languidly smoke, drink tea, and discuss the power of words. Bartlett’s film tries hard to be just that—an intellectual statement on a socially relevant topic. But more often than not, the drama resembles a drawn-out music video featuring the captivating Jenna Ortega: entertaining to watch, perhaps, but ultimately inessential.