Hysteria review

A mostly true story about the invention of the vibrator

Why you can trust 12DOVE Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

You'd think it'd be a tall order to make a film about vibrators that’s completely devoid of eroticism, but director Tanya Wexler has just about pulled it off.

Twee, feather-light and determinedly quaint, Hysteria centres on the mostly true story of an idealistic doctor (Hugh Dancy) who invents the first vibrator as a means of managing ‘hysterical’ (read: sexually frustrated) housewives.

Maggie Gyllenhaal’s feisty turn almost saves it, but it’s tough to imagine what the audience for this will be – too unsexy for a date movie, too much fingering for a see-with-your-mum movie.

Writer

Emma Didbin is a writer and journalist who has contributed to 12DOVE, The New York Times, Elle, Esquire, The Hollywood Reporter, Vulture, and more. Emma can currently be found in Los Angeles where she is pursuing a career in TV writing. Emma has also penned two novels, and somehow finds the time to write scripts for Parcast – the Spotify-owned network that creates thrilling true crime and mystery podcasts.