Secretary
Secretary Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Movie Overview: Secretary
| Movie | Secretary |
| Release Year | 2002 |
| Director | Steven Shainberg |
| Genre | Romance / Drama / Comedy |
| Runtime | 111 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Secretary (2002) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.8/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Romance.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Secretary are led by James Spader . The supporting cast, including Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jeremy Davies , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Secretary stands out as a strong entry in the Romance genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Romance narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Secretary has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Romance fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Secretary
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2002, Secretary is a Romance, Drama, Comedy film directed by Steven Shainberg. The narrative explores the complexities of love and relationships with emotional depth and authenticity. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving James Spader.
Story Breakdown
The title presents its narrative with careful attention to pacing and character development. A young woman, recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer, where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one. The story unfolds naturally, allowing viewers to become invested in the outcome while maintaining engagement throughout.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The title establishes its world and central conflict efficiently in the opening act.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. James Spader's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The climax brings together the narrative threads, providing resolution while staying true to the established tone.
Ending Explained: Secretary
Secretary Ending Explained: Directed by Steven Shainberg, Secretary wraps up the main storyline while leaving some interpretation to viewers. The ending highlights the core romance themes developed throughout the film.
The emotional resolution focuses on the transformation of its main characters, particularly in scenes involving James Spader. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the romance themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Secretary reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Secretary?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Romance films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of James Spader or the director
- Want solid genre entertainment
Box Office Collection: Secretary
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.0M |
| Worldwide Gross | $9.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Secretary Budget
The estimated production budget for Secretary is $4.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Secretary
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Secretary Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Lionsgate Play🎟️ Rent on
Amazon VideoSecretary Parents Guide & Age Rating
2002 AdvisoryWondering about Secretary age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Secretary is 111 minutes (1h 51m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.8/10, and global performance metrics, Secretary is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2002 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Secretary worth watching?
Secretary is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Romance movies. It has a verified rating of 6.8/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Secretary parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Secretary identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Secretary?
The total duration of Secretary is 111 minutes, which is approximately 1h 51m long.
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How Secretary Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Secretary
Dominance and submission at the office (um... no) RELEASED IN 2002 and directed by Steven Shainberg, "Secretary" is a romantic dramedy about a young woman (Maggie Gyllenhaal) who spent some time at a mental hospital for self-harm (e.g. cutting). She apprehends a job as a secretary to a quirky, arduous lawyer (James Spader) wherein their employer-employee bond turns increasingly sexual in a dominant/submissive way. This is the first mainline film in America to breach the difficult topic of BDSM, walking the balance beam between being either too amusing or too offensive. For those not in the know, BDSM is an overlap of acronyms: BD stands for Bondage and Discipline; DS for Dominance and Submission; and SM for Sadism and Masochism. I didn’t really know the movie tackled BDSM before viewing it; I thought it was simply a romance-in-the-office type flick with maybe some kinky elements. The movie is polarizing, unsurprisingly. I read a few reviews by respectable critics and one was fascinated by it, giving it an incredible 10/10 Stars (Why Sure!), while another wrote it off as a film for sick people, granting it 1/10 Stars. Whilst I find the romance-at-the-office element interesting, I could care less about the BDSM angle. Regardless, the first half is amusing enough and Maggie is a winsome treat, but the second half gets a little too deviant and borders on porn. Yet the movie ends well with a well-intentioned message: This is a story about two people who have an affinity for DS that find each other and their relationship may or may not work (no spoilers). I suppose the movie is trying to get across that pain can be therapeutic as long as it's applied by the right hand with the right intention. Thus two people with an affinity for BDSM can develop a relationship that works, for them. But not me; no thanks. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 47 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles. WRITERS: Mary Gaitskill (short story) and Erin Cressida Wilson & Shainberg (screenplay). GRADE: C-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
