The Favourite

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The Favourite

R

2018

2h 0m

Comedy

Drama

History

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Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

426 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.

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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

Feb 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

Mar 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

Feb 23, 2019

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

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Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

Jul 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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Denise Pieniazek

Puesta en Escena (AR)

Jan 27, 2024

9/10

The most interesting proposal of The Favourite is the change of socially imposed roles regarding gender, here these canonical mandates are transgressed and inverted. While the men flirt and use makeup, the women have the real power.

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Serena Seghedoni

Loud and Clear Reviews

Aug 3, 2023

4.5/5

Yorgos Lanthimos defies expectations and gives us a slow-burning analysis of politics and power dynamics that might be set in the 18th Century but couldn’t be more relevant to our day and age.

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Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026

wow I just love a good lesbian period piece this plot and scene structure and betrayal for power and control is astonishing the way Abigail evolves from this peasant maid to assistant then takes over sarah’s position what an ending it’s what makes this film a masterpiece must I say the costuming was gorgeous and so is emma stone amazing acting performance by olivia colman.

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R M

@RT83024318 Jul 30, 2026

Fun movie. It had some genuinely funny moments. The characters pissed me off the whole time, which just shows how well the actors did. That said, the film is way too slow and draggy. The character development is kinda poor, but it's decent enough for a casual evening watch... I guess.

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Thyaagu C

@Thyaagu May 9, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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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Yorgos Lanthimos

Director

Olivia Colman

Queen Anne

Rachel Weisz

Lady Sarah

Emma Stone

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Nicholas Hoult

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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, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Film4
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, History
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)

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