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Crime Cult Classic

When the law looks away, a Brighton secretary arms herself for a weekend of brutal vengeance.

DIRTY WEEKEND

Bella has decided to take out a few men.

1993 · 1h 42m · NR · Crime / Drama / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

This is the story of Bella, who woke up one morning and realized she'd had enough. All it took was one rather nasty man to transform her from a meek and mild secretary into a murderous femme fatale.

Quick Answer

What is Dirty Weekend about?

Dirty Weekend is a 1993 British crime thriller directed by Michael Winner about a secretary named Bella who, after being harassed and threatened, decides to take violent revenge into her own hands.

Programmer's Pick

Michael Winner cranks the revenge dial up with a female lead who doesn't wait for the cavalry. Brighton's not just a backdrop—it's a pressure cooker, and Bella's transformation from secretary to avenger is a sharp jab at the system's indifference. Lia Williams gives us a protagonist who's both vulnerable and lethal.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Dirty Weekend transports viewers to Brighton, where Bella, a quiet secretary working from her basement flat, becomes the target of persistent harassment from a voyeur named Tim. Isolated and threatened by obscene phone calls and the looming threat of assault, Bella seeks help from the authorities, only to be dismissed. Turning to a clairvoyant for advice, she's encouraged to reclaim control over her own fate. The film steers into territory that blurs moral lines, following Bella as she is pushed past her breaking point in a world where institutions fail to protect her. With its gritty English seaside setting and focus on female-driven vengeance, Dirty Weekend is a provocative entry in the rape-revenge and vigilante genres.

Details & Specs

Director
Michael Winner
Writer
Michael Winner
Release
1993
Runtime
1h 42m

Why This Matters

Directed by Michael Winner and adapted from Helen Zahavi's 1991 novel, this British film features Lia Williams in a lead role and explores themes of vigilante justice and female agency.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

View all →
Director: Michael Winner Writer: Michael Winner

Why Cult

Female Vigilante Arc

Bella’s journey from mild-mannered secretary to avenging force is a rare, cold-edged twist on the vigilante genre.

British Seaside Setting

Set in Brighton, the film’s coastal location adds both charm and grit to Bella’s violent odyssey.

Rape and Revenge

Dirty Weekend dives headlong into the rape-revenge tradition, confronting misogyny with brutal, female-led payback.

Clairvoyant Catalyst

An Iranian clairvoyant’s advice pushes Bella over the edge, giving this thriller a mystical nudge before the carnage begins.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Police refusal to help Bella after threats

Threat

Targeted harassment and threats against Bella

Effect

Bella is driven to commit vigilante violence

Countermeasure

Bella takes direct, lethal action against her tormentors

Setting

Brighton, England

Questions from the Vault

Who directed Dirty Weekend? +

Dirty Weekend was directed by Michael Winner.

How long is Dirty Weekend? +

Dirty Weekend has a runtime of 102 minutes.

What genre is Dirty Weekend? +

Dirty Weekend is a crime, drama, and thriller film.

When was Dirty Weekend released? +

Dirty Weekend was released in 1993.

How does Bella begin her revenge spree? +

Bella starts her violent retaliation by breaking into Tim’s flat while he sleeps and killing him with a claw hammer after receiving no help from the police.

Trailers & Clips