If you're looking for a tense, atmospheric drama to sink into this October, Sofia Coppola's The Beguiled has just landed on YouTube and The Criterion Channel—and it's completely free to watch. The 2017 film brings together an incredible trio of actresses—Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning—in a story that feels tailor-made for today's streaming era.
Set during the American Civil War, The Beguiled unfolds at a secluded girls' boarding school in Virginia. When a wounded Union soldier (Colin Farrell) stumbles onto the property, the headmistress (Kidman) and her small community of women and students are thrown into a delicate, dangerous game of hospitality and desire. What starts as an act of compassion quickly spirals into jealousy, manipulation, and betrayal.
The film is a remake of the 1971 Clint Eastwood thriller of the same name, but Coppola brings her own signature restraint and visual elegance to the material. It premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival before hitting theaters via Focus Features, and it's easy to see why it earned a spot on so many year-end lists.
Critics were largely on board, with the film holding a “Certified Fresh” 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus praises Coppola's “restrained touch” and the strong performances from the cast. It's the kind of slow-burn, character-driven piece that feels like a modern A24 release—think The Beguiled as a moody, Southern-gothic cousin to Midsommar or The Witch.
For Kidman, The Beguiled was just one stop on a relentless run of high-profile projects. She's since dominated both TV and film with hits like Lioness, Nine Perfect Strangers, and Margo's Got Money Problems. Dunst, meanwhile, has been vocal about wanting to be part of a blockbuster, and she's got some big ones on the horizon, including The Housemaid's Secret and Another Minecraft Movie.
Fanning, who plays one of the students, has only seen her star rise further. She earned an Oscar nomination for Sentimental Value, and has appeared in A Complete Unknown and Predator: Badlands. Next up, she'll join the Hunger Games universe in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Despite its pedigree, The Beguiled didn't set the box office on fire—it grossed around $28 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. But that's hardly a mark against it; Coppola's Priscilla (2023) had a similar financial profile, and both films have found devoted audiences in the years since.
If you're in the mood for a slow-burning thriller with gorgeous cinematography and powerhouse performances, The Beguiled is an easy pick. And since it's free on YouTube, there's no excuse not to give it a shot. For more streaming recommendations, check out our list of Steve Carell's comedy classic or Jennifer Carpenter's horror gem.
