Is Pieces of a Woman based on a true story?
The new Netflix drama has got us all asking the same question
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to W&H Newsletter Newsletter

Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
The new Netflix drama will have you reaching for your eye cream (opens in new tab) because this tearjerker is bound to induce puffy eyes as the film focuses on a gut-wrenchingly sad topic.
Pieces of a Woman was released on Netflix just last week but already the film has been trending on Netflix and has reached the top 10 list on the site.
The film stars Vanessa Kirby (The Crown’s Princess Margaret) and Shia La Boeuf (Star of Transformers and Peanut Butter Falcon) in lead roles as a couple who grapple with the traumatic birth of their first child and deal with the fallout from the life-changing event.
A post shared by Vanessa Kirby (@vanessa__kirby) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
But the film has left viewers with one big question:
Is this based on a true story?
Be warned, there are spoilers ahead about the film Pieces of a Woman.
If the events in Pieces of a Woman seem hyper-realistic and grounded in realism, it’s because this story is sadly based on real events.
Hungarian filmmaker and director of this movie, Kornél Mundruczó, unfortunately went through a similar experience with his partner, and screenwriter of Pieces of a Woman, Kata Wéber.
The couple sadly suffered from a miscarriage years before, and used their grief as inspiration for this film that explores the loss of a child.
Weber told AnOther in an interview: “Motherhood is a taboo, female emotions are a taboo … we lost our baby during pregnancy, but at the same time we don’t talk about it. Even inside that relationship, it was a taboo. The movie was about breaking out of the silence.”
Weber went on to explain that using this experience for her writing became a form of therapy for her that help her regain her sense of self and bodily autonomy, following her miscarriage. Weber states: “I felt that my body had been taken away from me because there were all of these people around [expressing their opinions on the miscarriage]. My body wasn’t mine. I had to regain it back through writing, which was like therapy for me.”
A post shared by Vanessa Kirby (@vanessa__kirby) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
This Martin Scorcese produced movie has also received Oscar buzz from viewers who are celebrating Vanessa Kirby’s moving performance as a grieving mother in the film.
Charlotte O’Sullivan writes in the Evening Standard: “Vanessa Kirby’s work in this intimate and scaldingly raw domestic drama rightly won her the best actress prize in Venice. She’s also tipped for the same at the Oscars.”
Similarly, Kevin Meher wrote for The Times a review that is titled: “Pieces of a Woman review — crown Vanessa Kirby with an Oscar.”
Laura is a news writer for woman&home who primarily covers entertainment and celebrity news. Laura dabbles in lifestyle, royal, beauty, and fashion news, and loves to cover anything and everything to do with television and film. She is also passionate about feminism and equality and loves writing about gender issues and feminist literature.
Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.
-
-
The 11 best natural-looking mascara options for every budget
Natural-looking mascara is ideal for those days when you want more of a low-key look. Here, our beauty editor rounds up her favorites
By Rhiannon Derbyshire • Published
-
Why King Charles won't sit on the Queen's throne at his coronation
This is the real reason why King Charles won't sit on his late mother's throne at his coronation in May
By Laura Harman • Published