Silkwood
Like most of the people in her town, Karen Silkwood works at the local nuclear plant producing highly radioactive plutonium. Exposed one day to a lethal dose of radiation, Karen faces the blank walls of corporate indifference and denial. As her illness increases, her protest grows louder and she becomes an obvious danger to the powers that be.
Critics Sentiment
Karen dies in mysterious car accident with no documents found
Angela joins the household as Dolly's lover creating tensions
The film drops significantly during personal soap opera elements but surges powerfully in the final act as Karen's investigation reaches its tragic climax.
Silkwood receives mixed critical reception, with reviewers praising Meryl Streep's performance and the realistic portrayal of working-class life while criticizing the soap opera elements that bog down the nuclear safety story. The film builds to a powerful and memorable tragic ending that most critics found compelling and appropriately restrained. Overall sentiment reflects a well-made but uneven drama elevated by strong performances and important subject matter.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 29
Meryl Streep
Karen Silkwood
Kurt Russell
Drew Stephens
Cher
Dolly Pelliker
Craig T. Nelson
Winston
Fred Ward
Morgan
Diana Scarwid
Angela
Ron Silver
Paul Stone
Charles Hallahan
Earl Lapin
Josef Sommer
Max Richter
Sudie Bond
Thelma Rice
Henderson Forsythe
Quincy Bissell
E. Katherine Kerr
Gilda Schultz
Bruce McGill
Mace Hurley
David Strathairn
Wesley
J.C. Quinn
Curtis Schultz
Kent Broadhurst
Carl
Richard Hamilton
Georgie
Les Lannom
Jimmy
M. Emmet Walsh
Walt Yarborough
Graham Jarvis
Doctor at Union Meeting
Crew
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