Why a 1989 revenge comedy became a Hollywood curiosity starring two unlikely leads

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When director Susan Seidelman cast Meryl Streep and Roseanne Barr in She-Devil, Hollywood viewed the pairing as a curiosity rather than a standard blockbuster move. Released alongside a major competitor, this dark comedy about a scorned housewife’s meticulous vengeance remains a fascinating case study in unconventional casting and studio scheduling.

Released in December 1989, She-Devil was a loose adaptation of Fay Weldon’s 1983 novel. The film follows Ruth Patchett, a housewife who systematically dismantles her husband’s life after he leaves her for a romance novelist. Director Susan Seidelman chose Roseanne Barr for her film debut, believing her persona fit the character’s larger-than-life nature, while Meryl Streep played the glamorous antagonist. The production was marked by personal milestones for Seidelman, who was five months pregnant during filming and gave birth the week the movie premiered.

The film’s release strategy faced significant hurdles. Orion Pictures insisted on launching it the same weekend as The War of the Roses, a competing revenge film featuring established stars Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. Seidelman noted that the studio machine was difficult to stop once marketing was set, and the decision likely hampered the film’s theatrical performance. While critics offered mixed reviews—with some praising Streep’s comedic range and others finding the script uneven—the film eventually found a stronger audience in ancillary markets like television and home video.

The production utilized distinct locations across the New York City area, including a 30-bedroom estate in Port Jefferson that served as the antagonist’s mansion. This historic home, built in 1870, was demolished in 2017. Despite the competitive pressure at the box office, Streep’s performance earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. The film’s legacy persists through its unique blend of dark humor and its status as a notable experiment in pairing a television star with a dramatic heavyweight.

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