The Accused (1988)

The Accused is a 1988 American legal drama film directed by Jonathan Kaplan and written by Tom Topor, loosely inspired by the 1983 gang rape of Cheryl Araujo in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Starring Kelly McGillis and Jodie Foster, the film follows Sarah Tobias (Foster), a waitress who is gang raped by three men at a local bar. With the help of District Attorney Katheryn Murphy (McGillis), she sets out to prosecute the rapists, as well as the men who encouraged the assault.

The Accused was theatrically released in the United States on October 14, 1988, and was screened at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival on February 13, 1989, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear. The film was highly controversial upon release due to its graphic portrayal of gang rape and was credited as one of the first mainstream films to deal with the horrors of rape and its aftermath on a victim's life. Despite this, it received widespread acclaim from critics, with many praising the performances of the cast and authentic portrayal of its subject matter. The film was chosen by the National Board of Review as the 3rd-best film of the year. Foster's performance marked her breakthrough into adult roles, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama.