May (2002)

Psychological horror about a lonely young woman traumatized by a difficult childhood, and her increasingly desperate attempts to connect with the people around her. (imdb)
Cast and Information
Directed By: Lucky McKee
Written By: Lucky McKee
Starring: Jeremy Sisto, James Duval, Anna Faris, Angela Bettis, Kevin Gage, Nora Zehetner, Nichole Hiltz, Will Estes, Merle Kennedy, Rachel David, Chandler Hecht
Genres: Drama, Suspense/Thriller, Horror
Country: USA
Where to Stream
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May belongs to 23 collections
1. Onion AV Club: The New Cult Canon (collaborative: moderated by theficionado - 28 stars)
2. Directorial debut (collaborative: moderated by djross - 16 stars)
3. B-Movie (collaborative - 15 stars)
4. Films available in HD (collaborative: moderated by kubricksucks - 13 stars)
5. Rue Morgue Magazine's 200 Alternative Horror Films You Need to See (public: jimmyjazz - 12 stars)
6. Body horror (collaborative: moderated by mattburgess - 8 stars)
7. Arthouse Horror (collaborative: moderated by BeeDub - 6 stars)
8. Psychotic women (collaborative: moderated by mattburgess - 5 stars)
9. Lesbian Character(s) in a Non-Gay Themed Film (collaborative: moderated by bobyang - 4 stars)
10. Capsules, guest reviews, list candidates... (366weirdmovies) (collaborative: moderated by sesito71 - 4 stars)
11. edkrak films to see (public: edkrak - 4 stars)
12. Horror (public: horrorjames - 4 stars)
13. weirdos (collaborative: moderated by monclivie - 2 stars)
14. Blindness (collaborative: moderated by djross - 2 stars)
15. Biopunk (collaborative: moderated by mattburgess - 2 stars)
16. Unravelling the Narrative (public: lillakniven - 2 stars)
17. The 25 best horror movies since 2000 - The AV Club (public: TychoCelchuu - 1 star)
18. movies to buy (public: gsb)
19. 2002: Year in Review (public: polanski28)
20. Favorites: Underrated (public: KasperL)
21. Horror/Suspense Movies I Own (public: Lord Moe)
22. Filmspotting Ratings Project: Week 34 (public: PeaceAnarchy)
23. Disturbing surreal (public: Bawdabaw)
Browse the full list of collections
Stars | User | Rating | |
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Barthalen | 79 77th |
First half might have broken my 'most cringes per minute' record, previously set by that time I accidentally bit my exes' nose during my sister's wedding party (true story please don't ask). Angela Bettis is amazing as the titular May, she carries the film seemingly with no effort. Apparently I have a major weakness for super awkward laydees despite signs of them being mentally unbalanced. No wonder I get stabbed at least twice every weekend.
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KasperL | 85 93rd |
Angela Bettis creates a creepy, unforgettable psycho in this amazing and very original film! In spite of Ebert giving it four stars, it has sadly been severely overlooked. Just waiting to be discovered, 'May' hopefully in time will take its deserved place among the genre classics, as it is a must-see for everyone with a taste for horror.
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KMcNeil | 8 84th |
One of the most underrated horror movies of all time? Bettis is at once frightening and frighteningly endearing. A rare film that manages to kick off as drama (effectively) and then cross over to horror (effectively).
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DavidBlast | 45 36th |
It's hard not to compare May to Carrie, both cute, fragile and victims of circumstance. But what made the movie 'Carrie' horrible was the feeling that you could have saved the girl. 'May' is more of a comedy that way. Things I learned from this movie: If someone asks you if you're a pirate, you say YES!
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PeaceAnarchy | 79 57th |
Descent into madness played with a strong dose of absurdity but also with an underlying emotional sincerity. The balance between the two is quite effective, with the opening half hour making me wonder how this was a horror film and the last half hour being obviously horror, yet the transition is very smooth so that every scene makes sense in the context of the previous one. The supporting performances are pretty good, matching the film's tone of increasing surrealism.
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nilkynarfy | 85 86th |
Half-horror, half-indie drama. You'd probably have to be more receptive to the drama elements to really get into it, but overall, I'd say it's more than worthwhile and should have been more appreciated than it was.
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chemical404 | 69 80th |
Look at the poster of this film. Read a plot summary. Check the genres. Create expectations. TWIST: they are wrong! Lovely, original and offbeat film. Hard to label it, but you don't have to be a horror fan to enjoy it. Bettis is perfect for the role. It wouldn't be the same without her as May. Very underrated and underseen (fuck-off spellcheck). (Over)thinking why lead to some brilliant and self-affirming discoveries! (note to future self: prefrontal corvex).
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Paxton | 62 40th |
I had trouble fully emerging myself in the story despite having my own awkward experience while trying to assist blind children. Long story.
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TripleSH | 84 77th |
In a word: unsettling. May is a breath of fresh air into the horror genre, telling a good story that, aside from the ending...could maybe just happen. That's pretty creepy when you think about it.
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1 | JoshStew06 | 75 52nd |
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Creepy and strange, but with good acting, and a typically awesome Anna Faris.
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fabfunk | 85 79th |
Funny, strange, sexy- a genre classic already. See it with someone you want to eat.
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lrampartl | 87 88th |
A very well-done horror film.
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1 | mrsamberj | 95 88th |
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I LOVE this movie. I am not a big horror fan, but wow. is all i can say. Perfectionism isnt all its cracked up to be....to many perfect parts not enough perfect wholes....oh god that was classic :)
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Pickpocket | 1 12th |
What a horrible movie. I was on board for like 30 minutes and then it just became an exercise in how much stupid shit can you handle? It wasn't even a plausible scenario so therefore how can it be scary if it's set in a real world setting? Structurally, it was the equivalent of a limp penis. The payoff was so unsatisfying and all these sideplots that went nowhere. Really terrible
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1 | jmiracle | 95 97th |
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awesome
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AFlickering | 5 75th |
FRANKENSTEIN and MANIAC in the screenplay, argento on the walls, the breeders on the soundtrack and anna faris as a lesbian nympho would be fun enough, but the real calling card here is a perfectly pitched performance from angela bettis as a mentally ill twenty-something whose lazy eye has left her infantilised, cripplingly lonely and desperately lusting for perfection. she converts what might've been mere perverse pulp into a sad, excruciating little character drama.
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Suture Self | 7 67th |
D'awww, I thought the ending was cute.
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brando814 | 81 74th |
Absurd and lovely film about how we deal with disappointment. It may not be rational but its therapuetic to watch.
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1 | Dustyd | 85 94th |
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very effective Horror film with a great lead performance
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Luna6ix | 68 29th |
Poorly edited, and carried out in a slow, dissatisfying manner. I would say McKee should look into going to film school, and if he already has, then going back. The first fifty minutes do nothing but to set up a quite lackluster ending. Perhaps if May went off the rocker about half an hour earlier, and had a higher body count--then and only then would I recommend this to anybody.
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ivyt | 90 93rd |
Underrated, an awesome movie. Full of fuckin creepy-ass scenes to piss yourself with and also has some humor to go along with it as well. The main actress does a wonderful job with her role and everyone else isn't bad. So mesmerising.
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yawkcorb | 95 97th |
Fantastic!
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Henrik | 80 80th |
The best slasher since John Carpenter invited to 'Halloween'. That's right! It's been a bad few decades for the subgenre.
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jamesdepaolo | 87 81st |
this is a modrern day carrie-ish horror movie. Its smart and witty and at times so smart. Angela Bettis really made this movie special...I will say this movie is a must for any horror fan who is sick of a simple formula of brain dead kids, blood and gore..this is fresh and smart
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1 | quez2go | 89 89th |
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This is just hands down one of the best horror movies I have ever seen. Highly recommended.
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Barraoc | 80 85th |
May is creepy, a little awkward, and she has one or two issues relating to her childhood, but you know what? She's still kinda likeable. Oh, and the ending was strangely satisfying.
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Average Percentile 48.51% from 1073 Ratings | ![]() |