Elizabeth Banks Joins Forces With Underground Abortion Network
The film, set in Chicago before abortion was legal, premiered at Sundance before it became even more timely with the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

The film, which premiered at Sundance, has become even more timely since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion and allowing states to regulate the procedure.
Directed by Phyllis Nagy and inspired by true events, Call Jane stars Banks as suburban housewife Joy, whose pregnancy leads to a life-threatening heart condition. Told that the only treatment is “to not be pregnant” but facing barriers to that procedure, Joy stumbles across an ad for Jane, the clandestine Chicago group that helped women obtain safe, affordable abortions in the late ’60s and early ’70s when the procedure was a crime in Illinois and other states.
The trailer shows the group going through messages from women seeking abortions, including an 11-year-old, a woman with cancer and one who was raped.
After someone says it’s “life or death for some of them,” Mosaku’s Gwen clarifies, “It’s life or death for all of them.”
Later, Virginia is shown saying, “We have something that works. We are of use. Yeah, it’s not perfect, but it works. I’m not scared of jail. I’m scared there won’t be anyone left to answer the phone.”
The film comes after The Janes documentary, which debuted on HBO in June, told the story of the group through firsthand accounts from its members.
Seven of the Jane members were arrested and charged with abortion and conspiracy to commit abortion after a police raid in 1972, but the case was ultimately dropped after Roe v. Wade made abortion legal nationwide.
The cast of Call Jane features Chris Messina, Kate Mara, Cory Michael Smith, Grace Edwards and John Magaro.
The Roadside Attractions film, in theaters Oct. 28, was written by Hayley Schore and Roshan Sethi. The movie is produced by Robbie Brenner, David Wulf and Kevin McKeon.