The Assistant is a 2019 American drama film directed by Kitty Green, focusing on the life of Jane, a junior assistant at a film production company. The narrative unfolds over the course of a single workday, highlighting the pervasive culture of workplace harassment and systemic oppression within the entertainment industry.
Plot Summary
Jane, portrayed by Julia Garner, has been working for five weeks as an assistant to a powerful but unseen executive. Her day begins before dawn as she performs mundane tasks such as making coffee and preparing the office for her colleagues. As the day progresses, Jane becomes increasingly aware of the toxic environment around her, characterized by verbal abuse from her boss and the objectification of women in the workplace.
Throughout her day, Jane witnesses inappropriate behavior from her boss and overhears conversations that reveal a culture of complicity among her male coworkers. When a new assistant named Sienna arrives—who Jane fears may become another victim of her boss’s predatory behavior—she decides to approach Human Resources to voice her concerns. However, she is met with condescension and dismissal from HR head Wilcock (Matthew Macfadyen), who implies that speaking out could jeopardize her career.
As Jane grapples with her own complicity in this system and the fear of losing her job, she ultimately realizes that taking a stand may come at a significant personal cost. The film concludes with Jane leaving work alone at night, reflecting on the oppressive atmosphere that defines her daily existence.
Themes
The Assistant explores themes of power dynamics, gender inequality, and the silence surrounding sexual harassment in professional settings. By focusing on Jane’s perspective and experiences without ever showing her boss directly, Green emphasizes how systemic issues can perpetuate abuse while leaving victims feeling powerless.
0 Comments