Notes on a Scandal
Available to Stream
Watch Now
Subscription
Availability may vary by region.
Some streaming links are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through them, VidScio may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Overview
Bitter, cynical, and lonely Barbara Covett (Dame Judi Dench) is a tough and conservative teacher, near to retirement, who is loathed by her colleagues and students. In the loneliness of her apartment, she spends her spare time writing in her journal, taking care of her old cat Portia, and missing her special friend Jennifer Dodd. When Sheba Hart (C...
Director / Creator
Richard Eyre
Writers
Patrick Marber, Zoë Heller
Top Cast
About Notes on a Scandal (2006)
Filmoverview · cast · reception · where to watch
Overview
Notes on a Scandal (2006) is a Crime, Drama, and Romance film from United Kingdom and United States. the film was directed by Richard Eyre from a screenplay by Patrick Marber and Zoë Heller. It runs 1 hour and 32 minutes and was produced primarily in English and French.
What it's about
Bitter, cynical, and lonely Barbara Covett (Dame Judi Dench) is a tough and conservative teacher, near to retirement, who is loathed by her colleagues and students. In the loneliness of her apartment, she spends her spare time writing in her journal, taking care of her old cat Portia, and missing her special friend Jennifer Dodd. When Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) joins the high school as the new art teacher, Barbara dedicates her attention to the newcomer, writing sharp and unpleasant comments about her behavior and clothes. When Barbara helps Sheba in a difficult situation with two students, the grateful Sheba invites her to have lunch with her family. Sheba introduces her husband and former professor Richard Hart (Bill Nighy), who is about twenty years older than her; her rebellious teenager daughter Polly (Juno Temple); and her son Ben (Max Lewis), who has Down's Syndrome. Barbara becomes close to Sheba, but when she accidentally discovers that Sheba is having an affair with fifteen-year-old student Steven Connolly (Andrew Simpson), Barbara sees the chance to manipulate and get closer to Sheba, hiding the secret from the school headmaster. When Portia dies and Sheba does not stay with Barbara in the veterinary office to see Ben in a theater play, Barbara plots a Machiavellian revenge against Sheba, creating a scandal and consequent turmoil in their lives.
Cast and crew
The film stars Cate Blanchett, Judi Dench, and Andrew Simpson in supporting roles. Writing credits go to Patrick Marber and Zoë Heller, whose work establishes the story structure and dialogue throughout.
Critical reception
On IMDb, Notes on a Scandal holds a rating of 7.4/10 based on 86,909 user votes. Rotten Tomatoes lists a critical score of 87%. Metacritic aggregates a score of 73/100 from professional reviewers. Notable recognition: Nominated for 4 Oscars. 16 wins & 74 nominations total. These numbers place Notes on a Scandal within the broader landscape of Crime and Drama cinema from 2006, giving viewers a benchmark before deciding to watch.
Where to watch
Notes on a Scandal is currently available to stream with a subscription on Disney Plus or Amazon. Streaming rights move between platforms regularly, so the providers shown above reflect current availability based on the most recent data we have on file.
Why Notes on a Scandal is worth knowing
If you enjoy Crime or Drama films, Notes on a Scandal offers a representative example of the genre's conventions and storytelling style. As a 2006 release, it sits within a specific moment in film history, making it a useful reference point for understanding how crime evolved during that period. Performances from Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench are central to the work, and tracking their broader filmographies can lead to other titles you may want to add to your watchlist. Use VidScio to identify scenes, find related movies, and keep Notes on a Scandal on your watchlist for later.
Identify a movie from a scene, plot, or URL
Discover details about Notes on a Scandal (2006). VidScio helps you identify movies from scenes, plots, or vague descriptions.