Girl, Interrupted (1999)

James Mangold's haunting drama about identity, sanity, and survival inside a 1960s psychiatric institution, anchored by unforgettable performances from Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie.

Girl, Interrupted - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Girl, Interrupted
  • Release Year: 1999
  • Directed by: James Mangold
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Drama
  • Age Rating (US): R
  • Runtime: 2h 7m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): December 21, 1999 (Finland - K-16), January 14, 2000 (United States - R), March 24, 2000 (United Kingdom - 15), June 15, 2000 (Germany - 12), March 29, 2000 (France - TP), January 20, 2000 (Australia - MA15+), January 14, 2000 (Brazil - 16), March 24, 2000 (Italy), June 24, 2000 (South Korea - 18)
  • Alternative Titles: 女生向前走 (CN), Дівчина, яку зупинили (UA), 처음 만나는 자유 (KR), Stulna år (SE), Une vie volée (FR), Garota, Interrompida (BR), 我有無問題 (HK), Durchgeknallt - Girl, Interrupted (DE)
  • Production Companies: Red Wagon Entertainment, Columbia Pictures
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Girl, Interrupted - Plot

Set in the changing world of the late 1960s, Susanna Kaysen's prescribed "short rest" from a psychiatrist she had met only once becomes a strange, unknown journey into Alice's Wonderland, where she struggles with the thin line between normal and crazy. Susanna soon realizes how hard it is to get out once she has been committed, and she ultimately has to choose between the world of people who belong inside or the difficult world of reality outside.

Girl, Interrupted - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the world of Claymoore come to life:

Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to go a little crazy.

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Girl, Interrupted - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • James Mangold

Main Cast

  • Winona Ryder
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Clea DuVall
  • Brittany Murphy
  • Elisabeth Moss
  • Jared Leto
  • Jeffrey Tambor
  • Vanessa Redgrave
  • Whoopi Goldberg
  • Angela Bettis

Writers

  • Lisa Loomer
  • James Mangold
  • Anna Hamilton Phelan

Producers

  • Cathy Konrad
  • Douglas Wick

Girl, Interrupted - FAQs

Is Girl, Interrupted based on a true story?

Yes, Girl, Interrupted is based on Susanna Kaysen's 1993 memoir of the same name. Kaysen was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and spent nearly two years at McLean Hospital in Massachusetts during the late 1960s. The film closely follows her real experiences and the people she met there.

Who are the main actors in Girl, Interrupted?

Winona Ryder leads the cast as Susanna Kaysen, with Angelina Jolie delivering a scene-stealing performance as Lisa. The ensemble also includes Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Leto, Jeffrey Tambor, Vanessa Redgrave, Whoopi Goldberg, and Angela Bettis.

Did Angelina Jolie win an Oscar for Girl, Interrupted?

She absolutely did. Angelina Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her electrifying portrayal of Lisa, the charismatic and manipulative patient who dominates the ward. She also took home the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for the same role that year.

What is Girl, Interrupted about?

Set in the late 1960s, the film follows Susanna Kaysen, a young woman committed to a psychiatric hospital after a suspected suicide attempt. There she befriends a vivid cast of fellow patients and wrestles with questions of identity, sanity, and whether she truly belongs inside — or out in the world.

Where can you stream Girl, Interrupted?

You can watch Girl, Interrupted for free with ads on Pluto TV and Tubi TV. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand.

What is the age rating for Girl, Interrupted?

Girl, Interrupted is rated R in the United States. The rating reflects the film's mature themes, including mental illness, suicide, self-harm, and strong language. It's intended for adult audiences and is not recommended for younger viewers without parental guidance.

What does the ending of Girl, Interrupted mean?

By the film's end, Susanna chooses to leave the hospital and re-engage with the real world, rejecting the seductive comfort of institutional life that Lisa represents. Her departure signals hard-won self-awareness — she recognizes her own agency and refuses to let her diagnosis define or confine her.

How long is Girl, Interrupted?

Girl, Interrupted has a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes (127 minutes). Directed by James Mangold, the film moves between intimate character moments and more intense dramatic sequences, making its running time feel both immersive and well-paced throughout.

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