The Favourite

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2:07

The Favourite

R

2018

2h 0m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

430 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.

Critics Consensus

The Favourite sees Yorgos Lanthimos balancing a period setting against rich, timely subtext - and getting roundly stellar performances from his well-chosen stars.

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Molly Haskell

Film Comment Magazine

02/27/2020

It's a dark view, but dark views, like sunny views, have to come from somewhere. Where is Lanthimos's dark sun? I don't know, but I'll definitely keep watching.

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Cate Young

IndieWire

03/10/2019

Yorgos Lanthimos' dryly funny historical feature is all about power, and that means literally wearing the pants in a strange time.

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Jourdain Searles

Bitch Media

02/23/2019

In the end, The Favourite is a haunting reminder of the limits of control.

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JD Duran

InSession Film

08/07/2024

The Favourite is a wild and hilarious romp that is equal parts everything I love about Yorgos Lanthimos, but it’s also quite unique and different for him as well.

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

07/14/2024

4/5

In between its stylish costumes and jovial soundtrack is a film with plenty to say on power, and how it’s most suited to the merciless and the conniving rather than the good natured.

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Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

07/02/2024

Yorgos Lanthimos’ trip to 18th century England is so irreverent in its jabs at the power dynamics of high society that I half expected to see cameo appearances by the cast of Monty Python.

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Thyaagu C

@Thyaagu 6d

What a ride! Lust, greed, power games, revenge, survival - every emotion getting poked and prodded in the most delicious way. Visually gorgeous, constantly weird, never boring. And the three women? Absolute domination. Simply awesome.

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Paul S

@PManRager May 8

This movie is amazing! It provides one of the most hilarious depictions of Britain's aristocracy, and Olivia Colman's portrayal of Queen Anne was truly breathtaking. I definitely recommend this for history and drama fans!

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Pedro Henrique C

@Pedro2005 Mar 28

The Favourite (2018) The film is well-made and has a great team. The costumes and sets are the highlight, the acting is great, only the final scene is quite strange and illogical.

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Karla A

@KarlaAhumada Mar 18

The Favourite appears as a beautifully crafted film, replete with sarcastic academicism, and narrated with a feigned enthusiasm; this relates to the film's own tone, not without certain social undertones, opting for a cynical and biting perspective on everything surrounding the narrative core formed by this destructive yet captivating love triangle.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone Mar 9

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Jake L.

@JJL-42 Mar 2

Truly amazing. One of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Casually absurd, delightfully dark.

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Yorgos Lanthimos

Director

Olivia Colman

Queen Anne

Rachel Weisz

Lady Sarah

Emma Stone

Abigail

Nicholas Hoult

Harley

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The Favourite: Trailer 1

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The Favourite: Teaser Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne's ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
Producer: Yorgos Lanthimos, Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday
Screenwriter: Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara
Distributor: Fox Searchlight
Production Co: Waypoint Entertainment, Film4
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 2018, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.2M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)