The Favourite (2018): A Darkly Witty Tale of Power and Deception

The Favourite (2018), directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, is a lavish, darkly comedic exploration of political intrigue, power struggles, and personal ambition set in the early 18th-century English court. With its razor-sharp script, stellar performances, and unique visual style, the film offers a bold and subversive take on historical drama.

The story centers on the ailing and mercurial Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), whose fragile health and emotional instability leave her reliant on her close friend and confidante, Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz). Their dynamic is upended with the arrival of Abigail Hill (Emma Stone), a cunning and ambitious servant who quickly rises through the ranks to become a rival for the Queen’s favor. As tensions escalate, a fierce battle for influence unfolds, blending manipulation, loyalty, and betrayal in equal measure.

Visually, The Favourite is a feast for the eyes. Robbie Ryan’s cinematography uses wide-angle lenses and natural lighting to capture the opulence of the court and the claustrophobic intensity of its power struggles. The elaborate costumes by Sandy Powell, paired with meticulously designed sets, bring the decadent world of Queen Anne’s reign to life, contrasting its outward grandeur with the pettiness and cruelty of the characters’ behavior.

The performances are extraordinary. Olivia Colman delivers an Oscar-winning portrayal of Queen Anne, blending vulnerability, volatility, and unexpected humor to create a deeply humanized monarch. Rachel Weisz is magnetic as the sharp-tongued and fiercely loyal Sarah, while Emma Stone brings charm and cunning to Abigail, a character whose motivations shift in fascinating and often chilling ways. Together, they form a trio of complex, dynamic women who drive the story with their rivalries and alliances.

At its heart, The Favourite is a satirical commentary on power and its corrupting influence. It explores themes of ambition, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to secure their place in a world ruled by hierarchy and privilege. Lanthimos’s direction injects the film with his signature dark humor and surreal edge, creating a historical drama that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.

Nominated for 10 Academy Awards and winning one for Best Actress (Olivia Colman), The Favourite is a critically acclaimed film that pushes the boundaries of its genre.

For those who enjoy sharp wit, intricate character dynamics, and bold storytelling, The Favourite is an unmissable cinematic experience. Dive into the world of intrigue and ambition where the stakes are high, and nothing is as it seems.