The Favourite

Set in early 1700s England, The Favourite follows a tenuous bond at the palace where Queen Anne's confidants navigate loyalties as the throne's favors shift. When a sharp new ally, Abigail Hill, enters the court, the queen's affection becomes a bargaining chip. Sarah Churchill, once the queen's closest ally, watches her own power wane as Abigail schemes to win the monarch's trust. The film watches their clash with sly humor, vivid performances, and a court thrilled by backroom plots, whispered alliances, and extravagant gestures. Harley and Masham, played by Nicholas Hoult and Joe Alwyn, complicate the court's power play. Tension lingers.

Released in 2018, The Favourite features Emma Stone as Abigail Hill, Olivia Colman as Queen Anne, and Rachel Weisz as Lady Sarah. It is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos with a script by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. Critics praised visuals.

With a budget of 15,000,000, the film grossed 95,918,706 worldwide, signaling solid performance for a period piece and underscoring Lanthimos's ability to draw both critics and audiences. A strong performer among prestige dramas. It resonated with international audiences and critics worldwide.

Its audacious humor paired with sumptuous costumes and a pared down score earned praise from critics and viewers, making the film a talking point about female agency and power at a time when the court defined fate. Its dialogue and visual tone linger after the credits across multiple generations worldwide.

Critical response highlighted the film's tonal balance of sly comedy and serious drama, with emphases on ambition, favoritism, and political maneuvering inside a fragile monarchy. The performances by Colman, Stone, and Weisz anchor a story that lingers beyond the final scene for repeat viewings and invites new discussion on power.