Evil little letters (Wicked Little Letters) is a 2023 British comedy crime film directed by Tia Sharrock from a screenplay by Jonny Sweet. The film is set to be released in the United Kingdom on 23 February 2023.
The story takes place in the small seaside town of Littlehampton in 1920. Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) is a deeply religious and respected local resident who begins receiving anonymous letters filled with obscene and offensive language. Suspicion falls on her neighbor Rose Gooding (Jesse Buckley), an Irish immigrant with a violent temper and a penchant for using foul language. Although Rose denies the charges, she is arrested and brought to trial.
Police officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) begins her own investigation, doubting Rose's guilt. With the help of other women in the community, she reveals that the real sender of the letters is Edith Swan herself, who through these actions expresses her suppressed anger towards her domineering father, Edward (Timothy Spall). Ultimately, Edith was arrested and convicted, while Rose was acquitted.
The film is inspired by the real-life "Littlehampton Letters" scandal, in which residents of Littlehampton received anonymous letters with obscene content. Initially, suspicion fell on Rose Gooding, but it was later revealed that the real culprit was Edith Swan.
„Wicked Little Letters will have its world premiere on September 9, 2023, at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the performances of Colman and Buckley, while others criticized the lack of suspense and humor in the plot.
