---
title: "Miss Sloane"
year: 2016
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/miss-sloane"
fi1m_id: "miss-sloane"
imdb_id: "tt4540710"
tmdb_id: 376290
wikidata_id: "Q22350785"
fi1m_score: 65
critics_score: 62
critics_reviews: 25
published: "2026-10-04T07:59:50.893747+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-04T07:59:51.744816+00:00"
region: "RS"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Miss Sloane (2016)

Directed by John Madden · 2h 13m · Thriller, Drama, Crime

## Identity

Miss Sloane

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/miss-sloane
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** miss-sloane
- **IMDb ID:** tt4540710
- **TMDB ID:** 376290
- **Wikidata ID:** Q22350785
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4540710/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/376290, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22350785

**Fi1m score: 65** · Critics 62 from 25 reviews

*In a sentence:* Jessica Chastain never sleeps, never blinks and never loses an argument, until the script decides to win one for her

> John Madden’s lobbying thriller is quick, talkative and better company than it has any right to be, with Jessica Chastain at full tilt in nearly every scene. The final twenty minutes pull a stunt that costs it most of what it earned.

## Synopsis

Washington, DC. Madeline Elizabeth Sloane (Jessica Chastain) is the most feared lobbyist in the city, a woman who works through the night on pills and plans every meeting as a fight she has already won. Bill Sanford (Chuck Shamata) of the gun lobby asks her to help sell firearms to women; she laughs in his face and refuses the account. Rodolfo Vittorio Schmidt (Mark Strong), who runs a smaller firm backing a bill to tighten background checks on gun sales, hires her the same week. She defects, taking most of her team and leaving her protégée Jane Molloy (Alison Pill) behind with her old boss Pat Connors (Michael Stuhlbarg). All of it is told from a Senate hearing at which Sloane is the witness.

## Review

Sloane tells us in the first minute what the film will do to us. Lobbying, she says to camera, is about foresight: anticipate your opponent’s moves, devise countermeasures, play your trump card just after they have played theirs. Make sure you surprise them. John Madden’s film spends 133 minutes doing as she says, and for about 110 of them it is a brisk, talkative, enjoyable thriller about a woman who is better than anyone at a job nobody admires. Then it plays its trump card, and it is a cheat.

Jessica Chastain plays Sloane as a machine that has stopped pretending otherwise. She does not sleep, keeps upright on pills, and pays a man (Jake Lacy’s Forde) by the hour so as not to need a private life. She talks faster than anyone else on screen and listens faster too, and Chastain lets us see the half-second in which Sloane has won before the other person has finished the sentence. Jonathan Perera’s script gives her almost no inner life; she builds one anyway, mostly in Forde’s hotel room, where she is briefly allowed to be tired.

Madden has cast actors who can hold a long sentence. Mark Strong’s Rodolfo Vittorio Schmidt runs the smaller firm she defects to, and Strong plays him as a decent man who has hired a weapon and keeps checking which way it is pointing. Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s Esme Manucharian is the colleague whose past Sloane will find a use for, and Mbatha-Raw is the only person on screen who feels things at an ordinary speed. Michael Stuhlbarg’s Pat Connors, the old boss, sneers well. Alison Pill’s Jane Molloy, the protégée left behind, is given less than she deserves.

Sebastian Blenkov shoots Washington as glass and grey: see-through office walls, corridors lit by the city outside. Matthew Davies builds the two firms so one cut tells you where you are, dark wood and long tables at the old one, smaller and brighter at the new. Georgina Yarhi keeps Sloane in black and white with hard shoulders, and gives her one red dress for the night she means to be looked at. Max Richter’s score is a low pulse of piano and strings, and never tells us when to be excited. Alexander Berner cuts the first act tight and drops the Senate hearing in at intervals, so it keeps interrupting the story.

The script has one voice, and it is hers. Everyone speaks in finished paragraphs with the comeback already loaded, and after an hour it feels like one clever person arguing with herself. The film is built around a bill to tighten background checks on gun sales and is not interested in guns. The bill is there to give Sloane something to win; when the film needs her on the right side of it, somebody says so and we move on. Fine for a thriller. Not fine for a film that keeps asking whether its heroine has a conscience.

For two hours we were enjoying ourselves, the slightly guilty enjoyment of watching somebody be ruthless with people who had it coming, and a sequence in which Sloane ambushes the other side with something they believed was secret had us leaning forward. Then the last act arrived and we felt that we had been played rather than surprised. Sloane told us at the start that the trick is to anticipate. The film’s own trick depends on our not having been given anything to anticipate with. We will not say what it is. We will say it made the previous two hours smaller.

Madden made [*Shakespeare in Love*](https://film.one/film/shakespeare-in-love) (1998) and [*The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*](https://film.one/film/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel) (2011), and he is a director of actors rather than arguments, which suits this. Set against [*Michael Clayton*](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton) (2007) it is quicker and shallower: Gilroy let his fixer be ashamed and did not rescue him; Perera lets Sloane be tired and then wins the case for her. Watch it at home, with somebody who likes a fast talker. When the hearing calls its witness back for the last time you will know the moment. We did not think what follows was fair, and we were still glad of the evening.

*Fi1m score 65, published 4 October 2026.*

## Straight answers

**Is Miss Sloane worth watching?**

*Miss Sloane* is worth an evening for anyone who enjoys a fast talker and a sharp political thriller, and we scored it 65. Jessica Chastain is at full tilt in nearly every scene and the first two hours are brisk and enjoyable, but the last twenty minutes pull a stunt that costs the film most of what it earned.

**How long is Miss Sloane, and what is it rated?**

*Miss Sloane* runs 2h 13m. It is a thriller and drama film.

**Where can I watch Miss Sloane in Serbia?**

*Miss Sloane* is not on any streaming or rental service in Serbia at the moment. It is available in 25 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is Miss Sloane, and is it suitable for children?**

*Miss Sloane* is a UK 15 and it is talk rather than violence that earns the certificate: a lobbyist who lives on pills, pays a man by the hour for company, and is ruthless with everyone in her way. There is little to frighten anyone, but it is an adult film about adult work and too wordy and sour for children.

**How does Miss Sloane compare to Michael Clayton?**

*Miss Sloane* is the quicker, shallower cousin of [*Michael Clayton*](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton), which is the film it is reaching for. Gilroy lets his fixer be ashamed and does not rescue him; Madden lets Sloane be tired and then wins the case for her. The earlier film is the better and more honest of the two, though Sloane is the livelier company.

**What should I watch after Miss Sloane?**

After *Miss Sloane*, try [*Michael Clayton*](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton) (2007, Fi1m 86): The fixer film this one is reaching for, slower, sadder and more honest about the cost. Then [*The Insider*](https://film.one/film/the-insider) (1999, Fi1m 89): Michael Mann’s tobacco whistleblower drama: the same corridors at half the speed and twice the weight; and [*Borgen*](https://film.one/tv/borgen) (2010, Fi1m 84): Danish series about a prime minister and her spin doctor, where every vote costs somebody something.

### Reviews we read (25)

- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (4/5): O’Sullivan calls the film entertaining, cynical and fantastical, and hopes it will connect with European audiences. She singles out Sloane’s iconoclasm and unconventional femininity as especially compelling. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/miss-sloane-film-review-icy-jessica-fights-the-gun-lobby-a3680841.html)
- **The i Paper**, Matthew Turner (★★★★): Turner finds the political thriller compelling and well-paced, despite a final act that stretches credulity. He singles out Jessica Chastain’s mesmerising, powerhouse performance for praise. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/miss-sloane-film-review-jessica-chastain-64825)
- **Total Film**, Neil Smith (4/5): The critic calls the film a twisty, tense and engrossing political thriller. They praise Jessica Chastain’s riveting central performance and the accomplished screenplay. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/miss-sloane-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (75/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film smart, solid, and bracing, though its intricate political drama might suit television better. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s tour-de-force portrayal of the ruthless, emotionally complex lobbyist. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/miss-sloane-review-945899/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (70/100, inferred): Chang finds the film a smart, entertaining political melodrama whose timely intrigue and suspense make it enjoyable despite over-the-top twists. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s riveting performance and tightly controlled emotional intensity. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-miss-sloane-review-20161119-story.html)
- **Empire**, Anna Smith (65/100, inferred): Smith finds the film entertaining despite its difficult-to-root-for protagonist and occasionally exhausting dialogue. She especially praises Jessica Chastain’s commanding, intensely focused performance. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/miss-sloane-review/)
- **RogerEbert.com** (64/100, inferred): The page content is unavailable, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint can be reliably identified. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/festivals/afi-fest-2016-miss-sloane)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (64/100, inferred): The accessible page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is hidden behind the access prompt. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the available text. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/miss-sloane-review/5111181.article)
- **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (64/100, inferred): The page could not be read, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No specific element praised or criticized is available from the accessible text. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/24/movies/miss-sloane-review-jessica-chastain.html)
- **Slant Magazine**, Kenji Fujishima (2.5/4): The review finds the film entertaining and intriguing, though it ultimately slips into pat moralism and wish-fulfillment. It praises Jessica Chastain for bringing emotional nuance to an otherwise enigmatic, narrowly drawn character. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/miss-sloane/)
- **The Guardian**, Nigel M Smith (3/5): The review finds the film compulsively watchable despite its increasingly ludicrous, twist-filled final stretch. It praises Jessica Chastain’s forceful, melancholy performance for keeping the story grounded. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/nov/11/miss-sloane-review-jessica-chastain-washington-lobbyist-film)
- **Time Out**, Cath Clarke (3/5): Clarke finds the political thriller just about enjoyable, with Jessica Chastain’s performance helping it succeed. She singles out Chastain’s impressive range and portrayal of a ruthless lobbyist. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/miss-sloane)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (C): Hassenger finds the film slick and watchable but ultimately a square melodrama that mistakes verbosity and bombast for cool sophistication. He praises Jessica Chastain’s commanding charisma, while noting the role gives little room for her subtlety. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/even-with-jessica-chastain-in-the-role-miss-sloane-is-1798189627)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (55/100, inferred): Debruge finds the political thriller smart and often electrifying, despite a contrived, disappointing ending. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s commanding performance and the film’s tense verbal sparring. [Read](https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/miss-sloane-review-jessica-chastain-1201914941/)
- **Little White Lies**, Matt Thrift (4/2/2): Thrift finds the film engaging but says its preposterous ending undermines what came before. He praises Jessica Chastain’s performance while criticizing the film for failing to meaningfully explore political ethics. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/miss-sloane)
- **Radio Times**, Tom Baldwin (30/100, inferred): Baldwin gives the film a negative verdict, criticizing its portrayal of lobbyists as crusaders against corrupt politics. He objects that this makes them seem separate from the problem they help create. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/a-former-spin-doctor-on-political-thriller-miss-sloane-such-a-hackneyed-caricature-could-have-been-delivered-by-trump-or-nigel-farage/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (80/100, inferred): Hammond calls the film an explosive, highly entertaining political thriller, though he wonders whether its timing will help or hurt. He especially praises Jessica Chastain’s sensational lead performance and the film’s dizzying pace. [Read](https://deadline.com/2016/12/miss-sloane-review-jessica-chastain-lobbyist-john-madden-1201862913/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Stefan Pape (75/100, inferred): The review finds the film an engaging, pertinent courtroom drama, despite its contrived dialogue and heightened style. It especially praises Jessica Chastain’s compelling performance and her ability to make the flawed protagonist sympathetic. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/miss-sloane-review/)
- **Den of Geek**, David Crow (3.5/5): The critic finds the political thriller worthwhile despite familiar plotting and some clichéd subplots. Jessica Chastain’s powerhouse performance is singled out for elevating the film from amusing to riveting. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/miss-sloane-review/)
- **Consequence**, Randall Colburn (65/100, inferred): Colburn finds the film brisk, suspenseful, and entertaining, though its moral double standard and unresolved character portrait keep it from fully satisfying. He praises Jessica Chastain’s compelling screen presence, especially in quiet moments. [Read](https://consequence.net/2016/12/film-review-miss-sloane/)
- **Eye for Film**, Jane Fae (65/100, inferred): Fae finds the film clever and engaging but ultimately hard to believe, despite its strong execution. She particularly praises Jessica Chastain’s near-constant, immaculate performance. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/miss-sloane-2016-film-review-by-jane-fane)
- **The Playlist** (65/100, inferred): The page is blocked by anti-crawler protection, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. The URL headline praises Jessica Chastain, but the review’s specific assessment is unavailable. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/jessica-chastain-force-of-nature-miss-sloane-review-20161122/)
- **Collider**, Brian Formo (C-): Formo finds the film an overlong, over-plotted political thriller that is nevertheless a timely crowd-pleaser. He singles out Jessica Chastain’s fierce central performance as the film’s biggest selling point. [Read](https://collider.com/miss-sloane-review/)
- **Paste**, Jacob Oller (4.2/10): Oller pans the film as dull and dramatically unconvincing. He singles out its derivative, monotonous dialogue as the central weakness, despite solid supporting performances. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/miss-sloane/miss-sloane)
- **The Wrap** (35/100, inferred): The critic finds the film undermined by shallow characterization and contrived late twists. Chastain’s performance and the depiction of lobbying’s legislative tactics are singled out for praise. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/miss-sloane-review-jessica-chastain/)

## Details

- **Director:** John Madden
- **Director:** John Madden
- **Writer:** Jonathan Perera
- **Cinematography:** Sebastian Blenkov
- **Editor:** Alexander Berner
- **Music:** Max Richter
- **Production design:** Matthew Davies
- **Costume design:** Georgina Yarhi
- **Producer:** Ben Browning, Ariel Zeitoun, Kris Thykier
- **Cast:** Jessica Chastain as Madeline Elizabeth Sloane; Mark Strong as Rodolfo Vittorio Schmidt; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Esme Manucharian; Alison Pill as Jane Molloy; Michael Stuhlbarg as Pat Connors; Jake Lacy as Forde; David Wilson Barnes as Daniel Posner; Dylan Baker as Jon O'Neill
- **Runtime:** 2h 13m
- **First release (the US):** 11 November 2016
- **Genres:** Thriller, Drama, Crime
- **Budget:** $13 million
- **Box office:** $9 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9NRIUYvOfo

## Where to watch in Serbia

Not streaming, renting or buying in Serbia at the last check.

Also available in: AR, AT, AU, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, IE, IN, IT, JP, MX, NO, NZ, PA, SE, US. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *Michael Clayton* (2007), Fi1m 86: The fixer film this one is reaching for, slower, sadder and more honest about the cost. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/michael-clayton.md)
- *Thank You for Smoking* (2005): A lobbyist who enjoys his work, played for comedy and sharper about the trade.
- *The Insider* (1999), Fi1m 89: Michael Mann’s tobacco whistleblower drama: the same corridors at half the speed and twice the weight. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-insider.md)
- *Borgen* (2010), Fi1m 84: Danish series about a prime minister and her spin doctor, where every vote costs somebody something. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/tv/borgen.md)
- *The Candidate* (1972): Robert Redford runs for the Senate and learns what he has to say to win.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/miss-sloane