Ammonite

In 1840s England, Mary Anning, a self-taught fossil hunter and palaeontologist, works along the coast while living with her mother in a small town shaped by science and superstition. A young woman named Charlotte Murchison arrives, sent by her husband to recover by the sea after a period of illness. The two women form a charged bond that grows beyond sympathy or companionship. They exchange confidences, weather the judgments of their communities, and discover that they can offer each other something long absent in their lives. Their connection becomes a consuming love that challenges class expectations and personal restraint, forcing both to confront the limits of their worlds. The film tracks their private exile, then the consequences that follow inevitably.

Directed by Francis Lee, Ammonite unfolds from an original screenplay rather than a book adaptation. Released in 2020, the drama pairs Kate Winslet as Mary Anning with Saoirse Ronan as Charlotte Murchison in a restrained, visually lush period piece.

Critics highlighted Winslet and Ronan's fearless performances and the film's tactile period details, including the chilly seascapes and appointed interiors. Some reviews noted a measured pace and an earnest tone, yet the themes matter: autonomy for women, the collision of class lines, and a forbidden love that reshapes two lives.

Beyond its romance, Ammonite sparked discussion about representing queer desire in historical settings and the role of women scientists in popular cinema. Its moody lighting, seascapes, and period costumes contributed to ongoing conversations about how love stories can foreground intellect and resilience as well as passion.

No major nominations. The film drew some attention in smaller circles for Winslet and Ronan's performances and for its production design, but it did not secure widespread industry nominations. This contrast with the film's strong critical praise underscores a divide between prestige and recognition.