The very existence of She Said might elicit a sense of dread, given the sometimes bombastic way that Hollywood handles these kinds of stories.

It’s a hesitancy that makes sense. After all, the Weinstein scandal not only exposed the horrific sexual abuse committed by one man, but an entire network of cover-ups and internal protection that created a cascade of falling dominoes across the entire entertainment industry.

It does seem unsettling, then, that the very same industry should peddle a retelling of the very controversy that almost broke it. Is this a sincere act of repentance, or a hollow gesture?

This, added to the unavoidable question of “Too soon?” that inevitably latches itself onto the film, means that it’s almost impossible to go into She Said without a feeling that you’re about to see something misguided or clumsy.

But in reality, it’s impossible to leave without feeling a sense of understanding, of heavy relief, and intense respect for both the film and the real-life subjects.

She Said review: how this gripping retelling of the Weinstein scandal keeps its focus firmly on the victim’s stories