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Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots

Drama · History · 2018

In 1561, Mary Stuart, widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland, reclaims her rightful throne and menaces the future of Queen Elizabeth I as ruler of England, because she has a legitimate claim to the English throne. Betrayals, rebellions, conspiracies and their own life choices imperil both Queens. They experience the bitter cost of power, until their tragic fate is finally fulfilled.

Movie details

Mary Queen of Scots

“Bow to No One”

2018 Drama · History 2h 4m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.6 / 10

Community rating

In 1561, Mary Stuart, widow of the King of France, returns to Scotland, reclaims her rightful throne and menaces the future of Queen Elizabeth I as ruler of England, because she has a legitimate claim to the English throne. Betrayals, rebellions, conspiracies and their own life choices imperil both Queens. They experience the bitter cost of power, until their tragic fate is finally fulfilled.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Mary Queen of Scots?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Josie Rourke

Written by

Beau Willimon

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan

Mary Stuart

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie

Queen Elizabeth I

Jack Lowden

Jack Lowden

Lord Darnley

David Tennant

David Tennant

John Knox

Guy Pearce

Guy Pearce

William Cecil

Gemma Chan

Gemma Chan

Bess of Hardwick

James McArdle

James McArdle

James, Earl of Moray

Court is in session

Put Mary Queen of Scots on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.