The Favourite (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

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Where to Watch The Favourite What to Know Critics Reviews Audience Reviews My Rating Cast & Crew More Like This Related Movie News Videos The Favourite Photos The Favourite

93%

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430 Reviews

70%

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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The Favourite

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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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Critics Reviews

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The Favourite (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Molly Haskell

Film Comment Magazine

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.

Feb 27, 2020

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The Favourite (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

Cate Young

indieWire

Yorgos Lanthimos' dryly funny historical feature is all about power, and that means literally wearing the pants in a strange time.

Mar 10, 2019

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The Favourite (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Jourdain Searles

Bitch Media

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

Feb 23, 2019

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The Favourite (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

JD Duran

InSession Film

The Favourite is a wild and hilarious romp that is equal parts everything I love about Yorgos Lanthimos, but it’s also quite unique and different for him as well.

Aug 7, 2024

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The Favourite (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Calum Cooper

Source (Scotland)

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.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 14, 2024

Full Review

The Favourite (2018) | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Brendan Cassidy

InSession Film

Yorgos Lanthimos’ trip to 18th century England is so irreverent in its jabs at the power dynamics of high society that I half expected to see cameo appearances by the cast of Monty Python.

Jul 2, 2024

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Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Great story about loyalty and betrayal, greed and sacrifice, all set against the backdrop of queen Anne's court. This is classic eye candy mixed with humor and drama, well acted and well shot. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/31/24 Full Review Audience Member So boring. Unwatchable. Dont get the hype. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 10/24/24 Full Review Dionisis T Scary good for a Giorgos Lanthimos film, beautiful and definitely one of his I would like to see again in the future for sure! Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/18/24 Full Review Aurora W Brilliant absolutely Brilliant Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/11/24 Full Review Mason M I'm not sure if I liked The Favorite, but it was a very interesting film and I'm glad that I watched it. Beautifully shot and looks amazing on the big screen with it's fish eye lense shots and the seemingly yellow candlelight during the night scenes. Nevertheless it's also a very rough watch that I probably won't want to watch again. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/08/24 Full Review MA k Great acting overall, the costumes where amazing but it was quite boring from time to time. Rated 2.5/5 Stars • Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

Yorgos Lanthimos Director Olivia Colman Queen Anne Rachel Weisz Lady Sarah Emma Stone Abigail Nicholas Hoult Harley Joe Alwyn Masham

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The Favourite

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The Favourite

The Favourite (2018)

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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: Film4, Waypoint Entertainment
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Strong Sexual Content)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
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)