Synopsis
Set in early 18th century England, 'The Favourite' follows the volatile Queen Anne, whose fragile health and emotional instability leave a power vacuum exploited by her close confidante Lady Sarah. When Sarah's younger cousin Abigail arrives destitute and schemes her way into the Queen's affections, a vicious battle for influence, love, and power erupts between the two women. Director Yorgos Lanthimos crafts a darkly comedic and visually stunning portrait of manipulation, desire, and court politics.
Why Watch It
Yorgos Lanthimos transforms palace intrigue into darkly comic theatre, complete with fish-eye lenses and anachronistic needle-drops that make 18th-century court politics feel visceral and modern. Emma Stone, Olivia Colman, and Rachel Weisz deliver performances so magnetic they could power a small kingdom, spiking every whispered insult and sideways glance with genuine menace. It's a films that treats power, desire, and female rivalry with the weight of tragedy and the bite of satire.
Did You Know?
- Yorgos Lanthimos used fisheye lenses to distort the royal palace interiors.
- The film features 17 real rabbits owned by Queen Anne.
- Olivia Colman won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
- The script took nearly a decade to reach production.
- No artificial lighting was used in many indoor scenes.
Iconic Quotes
- I like it when she puts her tongue inside me. Your Majesty.
- You look like a badger.
- I will not be trifled with. I am a queen.
- Sometimes a lady likes to have some fun.
- I have a curiosity that must be satisfied, whatever the cost.
