Horror writer Shirley Jackson (Elizabeth Moss) is suffering from writer’s block, but when her husband Stanley (Michael Stuhlbarg) invites his new teaching assistant Fred (Logan Lerman) and his wife Rose (Odessa Young) to stay it reinvigorates her.

Shirley is one of the more unconventional biopics I have ever watched. Based on the 2014 novel by Susan Scarf Merrell it is a largely fictional story that has been constructed to evoke the work and style of the author herself. Unfortunately, my lack of culture meant that I have not read the source material this film is based on, nor any of Shirley Jackson’s work including the incredibly famous The Haunting Of House Hill. Which I am afraid to say resulted in me finding the subject matter quite opaque and hard to enjoy. There was a revelatory moment in the final 5 minutes of the 107 minute film that made everything make sense and give me a much greater appreciation of the plot, but it seemed frustrating that perhaps some prior knowledge was needed to appreciate this during the film.

The plot revolves around the relationship that Shirley builds with Rose and how it gives her the inspiration to write her novel Hangsaman. When we meet Shirley she is suffering from intense agoraphobia and has not left the house in months. She has a rather unhealthy relationship with her husband Stanley who it appears is both a philanderer and someone who is intensely jealous of his wife’s talent as a writer. Rose and Fred have a newly burgeoning relationship. They have just married and Rose is pregnant whilst Fred has started on his journey to become a professor like Stanley. Their initially temporary stay results in Rose being forced into the 1950’s gender stereotype of leaving her career behind to clean the house, cook for everyone and become a mother.

The main focus seems to be about gender roles in the 1950’s and how Shirley both breaks them and is trapped by them. All set within a plot that is part thriller, part horror and part erotic fantasy. As I said, it all beautifully makes sense when you know what it is trying to do and I have to say I felt a little dumb for not understanding until the final moments.

In terms of historical accuracy this is not the film for you. It purposely has little bearing in reality to tell its story. Inaccuracies include, Shirley was a mother of three at the time she was writing Hangsaman, Rose and Fred are entirely fictional, Shirley’s agoraphobia and alcoholism did not set in till later in her life and Shirley and Stanley had moved from the university town the film is set at this point in their life. In fact the only thing that does appear to be accurate is the unhappy marriage Shirley is trapped in.

Performances are all round good with Stuhlbarg the stand out for me with his jealous professor who is both creepy and charismatic.

Go in with some knowledge of the subject matter and I suspect there is some enjoyment to be had.