Story / Plot
Directed by Jane Campion (The Piano), Holy Smoke! is an unconventional and daring drama that explores faith, obsession, and power struggles. The story follows Ruth Barron (Kate Winslet), a young Australian woman who, after a trip to India, becomes deeply involved with a spiritual guru. Her family, alarmed by what they believe is a cult brainwashing, lures her back to Australia under false pretenses.
Enter P.J. Waters (Harvey Keitel), an American “cult deprogrammer” hired to break Ruth free. What begins as an intense confrontation between belief and skepticism soon spirals into a psychological power play where the lines between savior and manipulator blur.
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Kate Winslet as Ruth
This is one of Kate Winslet’s most fearless and raw performances. Coming fresh off the global success of Titanic, she could have easily chosen safer roles. Instead, she delivered something completely unexpected—bold, challenging, and at times deliberately uncomfortable.
- Complexity: Ruth isn’t portrayed as a passive victim. Winslet plays her as strong-willed, defiant, and sensual, which makes the battle with Keitel’s character feel like a clash of equals.
- Physicality: Winslet fearlessly embraces the role’s nudity and vulnerability, using her body as part of the storytelling rather than just shock value.
- Emotion: Whether channeling devotion to her guru, anger at her family, or confusion about her own desires, Winslet captures Ruth’s contradictions with stunning honesty.
Curious to see her transformation? Stream Holy Smoke! online
What Works
- Fearless performances
Both Winslet and Keitel fully commit, making the film’s strange dynamics feel alive and intense. - Jane Campion’s direction
Campion isn’t afraid of discomfort. Her direction forces the audience to question who holds the power and whether “liberation” can be just another form of control. - Themes
The film wrestles with identity, sexuality, faith, and manipulation. It’s messy, but deliberately so—mirroring the complexity of real human struggles.
What Falls Short
- Not for mainstream audiences
The film’s unflinching approach to nudity, sexual tension, and psychological games can be off-putting. - Uneven pacing
At times, the film meanders, with scenes that feel drawn out. - Ambiguity overload
While some appreciate the film’s refusal to give easy answers, others find it frustratingly unresolved.
Overall Thoughts
Holy Smoke! isn’t an easy film to digest. It’s provocative, unsettling, and often uncomfortable—but that’s exactly what makes it memorable. Kate Winslet proves her range here, shedding any “Titanic sweetheart” image to deliver a fearless portrayal of a woman caught between devotion, desire, and rebellion.
Rating: 3.5/5 — Bold, daring, and divisive. Worth watching for Winslet’s performance alone.
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