In 1950s New York, a department-store clerk who dreams of a better life falls for an older, married woman.
Acting
Blanchett and Mara's chemistry could power a small city.
Cinematography
16mm grain that makes 1950s America feel like a fever dream.
Score
Carter Burwell's strings: basically the third lead.
Director
Todd Haynes
Cate Blanchett
Carol Aird
Rooney Mara
Therese Belivet
Kyle Chandler
Harge Aird
Jake Lacy
Richard Semco
Sarah Paulson
Abby Gerhard
John Magaro
Dannie McElroy
Cory Michael Smith
Tommy Tucker
Kevin Crowley
Fred Haymes
Nik Pajic
Phil McElroy
Carrie Brownstein
Genevieve Cantrell
Trent Rowland
Jack Taft
Sadie Heim
Rindy Aird
Kk Heim
Rindy Aird
Amy Warner
Jennifer Aird
Michael Haney
John Aird
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Rooney Mara initially auditioned for Carol; Haynes saw Therese in her stillness and flipped the casting.
Shot on Super 16mm to match 1950s lesbian pulp novel aesthetics—grain as historical truth-telling.
US
