It’s Margot Robbie And Nicole Kidman Versus Toxic Men In The Trailer For ‘Bombshell’

In 2016, midway through one of the ugliest elections in American history, Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson accused that company’s CEO Roger Ailes of sexual harassment.

Ailes, the very picture of a morally dubious, power and money-grubbing tycoon, denied the charges. But within months, six other women came forward to accuse Ailes — including Megyn Kelly, another anchor and journalist who was also singled for sexist invective out by Presidential candidate Donald Trump for daring to criticise him. In the ensuing media furore, Ailes stepped down. A little while later, Trump became the President.

The incident was something of a flashpoint. Months later, allegations against Harvey Weinstein would kick off the #MeToo movement. And the case against Ailes was seen as something of a groundbreaker, the first crack in the sheen put up by wealthy and powerful men.

Now, the Ailes case has been turned into a film, directed by — of all people — Jay Roach of Austin Powers fame.

Starring Nicole Kidman as Carlson, Charlize Theron as Kelly, and Margot Robbie as a composite character, based on the allegations of a number of key anonymous witnesses, the film charts the downfall of Ailes (played by John Lithgow in astonishingly convincing make-up.) Of course, Donald Trump makes a few appearances in the film, played by himself.

The film is already receiving considerable Oscar buzz — it’s seen as a shoe-in for a range of acting nominations, including nods for Theron, Kidman and Robbie.

But it also looks like the kind of prescient film with an impact beyond just Awards season. These times still need big films that speak truth to power. And Bombshell, a withering takedown of men intoxicated with their own power, appears to be exactly that.

Watch the trailer in full below, and then get ready for the film’s release in late December.