Jonathan Kaplan directed The Accused, a 1988 American courtroom drama film based on a script by Tom Topor. Sarah Tobias, a teenage waitress, gets gang-raped by three men at a small tavern, and Jodie Foster plays her.
She sets out to prosecute the rapists as well as the men who assisted in the assault with the help of attorney Kathryn Murphy (Kelly McGillis). In supporting roles, Bernie Coulson, Leo Rossi, Ann Hearn, Carmen Argenziano, Steve Antin, and Tom O’Brien appear.
It is partially inspired by the 1983 gang rape of Cheryl Araujo in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and the ensuing prosecution, which got national attention. It is set in Washington state but filmed primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia. Classism, misogyny, post-traumatic stress disorder, slut shaming, victim-blaming, and women’s empowerment are all explored in the film.
The Accused made its world premiere at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival, where it was nominated for a Golden Bear. It was premiered in restricted theatres on October 14, 1988, and was highly controversial at the time of its release, owing to its violent depiction of gang rape. The film was a critical and commercial triumph, generating over $92 million worldwide on a $13 million budget, and was named the third-best picture of the year by the National Board of Review.
The film’s audacity, the sincerity of its presentation of its subject matter, and its status as one of the first films to deal with the horrors of rape and the consequences on a victim’s life were lauded by critics. Foster’s performance in the film signaled her transition into adult roles, and she received multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actress.
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