A stunning character study, an unnerving portrait of the female experience in the 19th century, and a tense psychodrama.

Despite a questionable revision of the Leskov novella upon which the film is based, a most compelling work that prioritizes mis-en-scene over dialog.

Every stitch of every bloomer and ruff feels authentic but the energy feels current, even though the cinematography and editing is formal and precise. Crisp, thrilling, sometimes very funny, and sharp as milk thistle.