Taking the Battle of the Sexes literally! Set during the Civil War, 2017 film Beguiled centers on a Southern girls' boarding school helmed by headmistress Kidman, that takes in a wounded soldier (Colin Farrell). The inevitable sexual tension turns violent, leading to a story of seductive competition, mysterious vengeance and a cat-and-mouse chase with deadly consequences. Kirsten Dunst and Elle Fanning co-star as a teacher and rebellious student, respectively.