• Trending
    • Certified Fresh & Verified Hot
    • TV Premier dates
    • New horror Movies
    • Best Movies of All Time
  • Movies
    • Movies In Theaters
    • Movies at Home
  • TV Shows
    • New TV
    • Most Popular TV
  • News
    • What to Watch
    • Guides
    • RT News
    • Awards
  • Games
    • Find Your Next Horror Watch
  • Video
  • Showtimes
  • Fanstore
  • About Rotten Tomatoes
  • Critics
  • Download the App Now
  • Logout
Rotten Tomatoes
Suggestions will appear as you start typing. Submit search Movies Tv shows RT App New News Showtimes

Secretary

Play trailer Poster for Secretary R,  2002,  1h 52m,  Drama/ Comedy/ Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 78% 150 Reviews Tomatometer 82% 50,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 150 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young woman with a history of severe emotional problems, is released into the care of her overbearing parents following a stay at a mental institution. She finds work as a secretary for a rigid and demanding attorney, E. Edward Grey (James Spader), and starts dating the kind but dull Peter (Jeremy Davies). However, Lee soon realizes she's turned on by Grey's stern demeanor, and begins a sadomasochistic relationship with him.
Secretary

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Maggie Gyllenhaal impresses in this romantic comedy with a kinky twist.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Barbara Ellen The Times (UK) Jan 2, 2018
Spader handles a tricky role beautifully, but this is Gyllenhaals's tour de force. She is remarkable and original. Go to Full Review
Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online Sep 11, 2017
B
... Secretary shows how one woman stopped at nothing to get her love. But I'm still scratching my head at the whole thing. Go to Full Review
David Ansen Newsweek Nov 1, 2007
A feel-good movie about sadomasochism, the seriocomic Secretary manages to be simultaneously subversive and sweet...In the wrong hands, the conceit could have turned ugly and offensive. But Spader and Gyllenhaal have a hushed, hilarious chemistry. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mar 14, 2026
3/4
An honest and nonjudgmental movie about the unorthodox ways that lonely people often connect in an increasingly disconnected world. Go to Full Review
Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media Jan 13, 2026
3/5
This film treats the subject of submission and domination with great seriousness but also with a comic whiff that slyly questions what society accepts as normal. Go to Full Review
Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine Sep 30, 2022
4.5/5
Feels more like something A24 would release in 2022 than a Lionsgate movie from 2002, even though it's actually the latter (20th anniversary) Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Hagrid G Sep 7, 2018 Old film worth seeing. Gyllenhaal is wonderful and you will alternate between laughing and cringing. At the end love triumphs but it is difficult getting there. See more
Sep 5, 2018 Great movie. One of my favorites. Watch it!!!
Aug 26, 2018 The best adaptation into the world of BDSM. Doesn't get the fanfare of 50shades, but a much better movie, even copied perhaps. See more
Rey L Apr 3, 2018 Love this film. It's unconventional and entertaining.
Luke M Feb 7, 2018 This one was for real, soo much better than Fifty Shades Of Crap. Maggie Gylenhaal is awesomely impressive and James Spader spectacular as the leads. I think they might be the cutest S&M couple and yes I just said that. Brilliant "romantic comedy". See more
Albus R Jan 16, 2018 I liked it! The dark side of love I would say. In romantic movies there is much more to say then last minute runs at airports, and this film it's a nice reminder. See more
Read all reviews
Secretary

My Rating

Read More Read Less WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW POST RATING

Cast & Crew

View All

Steven Shainberg

Director

James Spader

E. Edward Grey

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Lee Holloway

Jeremy Davies

Peter

Patrick Bauchau

Dr. Twardon

Stephen McHattie

Burt Holloway

Movie Clips

View All

Secretary

View more videos

More Like This

View All
Brothers 88% 85% Brothers Watchlist After the Wedding 87% 87% After the Wedding Watchlist Atanarjuat the Fast Runner 93% 83% Atanarjuat the Fast Runner Watchlist The Piano Teacher 74% 81% The Piano Teacher Watchlist Mondays in the Sun 79% 86% Mondays in the Sun Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All
View All

Secretary

Secretary (2002) James Spalder and Maggie Gyllenhaal. James Spalder and Maggie Gyllenhaal. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young woman with a history of severe emotional problems, is released into the care of her overbearing parents following a stay at a mental institution. She finds work as a secretary for a rigid and demanding attorney, E. Edward Grey (James Spader), and starts dating the kind but dull Peter (Jeremy Davies). However, Lee soon realizes she's turned on by Grey's stern demeanor, and begins a sadomasochistic relationship with him.
Director
Steven Shainberg
Producer
Andrew Fierberg, Amy Hobby
Screenwriter
Mary Gaitskill, Erin Cressida Wilson
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Production Co
Slough Pond, TwoPoundBag Productions, Double A Films
Rating
R (Language|Behavioral Disorders|Some Nudity|Strong Sexuality)
Genre
Drama, Comedy, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 20, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.0M
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Join The Newsletter Join The Newsletter Cookie Settings