2018, History, Comedy
WISE Score
Power, rabbits, and period-accurate pettiness. It's a deliciously mean-spirited triangle of manipulation that makes Mean Girls look like a tea party.
7.5
The Favourite is a 10/10 movie that is a 0/10 for a family movie night. It is brilliant, cynical, and visually arresting, but it's also crude and intentionally uncomfortable.
If you're looking for an 'inspiring' historical tale, keep moving. But if you want a sharp-edged comedy about three women dismantling each other's lives for a seat next to the throne, this is as good as it gets. Just wait until the kids are asleep—or maybe in college.
This is strictly for adults or very mature older teens (17+). It’s a 'period drama' in the same way a cage match is 'physical education.' Do not let the costumes fool you into thinking this is for the Bridgerton-curious middle schooler.
This is a movie about people being absolutely terrible to each other. It trades kindness and cooperation for manipulation, betrayal, and a very cynical view of human relationships.
Yorgos Lanthimos brings a wildly original eye to the period drama genre. Between the fisheye lenses, the bizarre court dances, and the surreal tone, it’s a creative powerhouse.
Hard R-rating for a reason. It features strong graphic language, sexual content (including nudity and simulated sex), and a generally 'crude and seedy' vibe that isn't for kids.
The acting is elite—Olivia Colman’s Oscar-winning performance is a masterclass in portraying grief and power. It's a deep dive into the psychology of loneliness and the corrupting nature of influence.
If you’re expecting the polite, hushed tones of a typical British costume drama, you’re in the wrong palace. This movie is aggressive. Director Yorgos Lanthimos treats the 18th-century English court less like a historical landmark and more like a high-security asylum run by the inmates. The cinematography uses wide, distorted lenses that make the hallways look stretched and warped, mirroring the chaotic state of Queen Anne’s mind.
It’s a "grimy and seedy" take on royalty. Instead of sweeping romances, you get duck racing, pomegranate throwing, and a lot of very creative swearing. It’s "wonderful, nasty fun" for an adult audience, but it’s designed to make you feel a little bit sick of the people on screen even as you’re laughing at them.
The entire 120-minute runtime rests on the shoulders of three women who are essentially playing a three-way game of chess where the loser gets exiled. Olivia Colman’s Queen Anne is a tragic figure—grieving, gout-ridden, and surrounded by 17 rabbits—but she’s also a spoiled child with absolute power.
The real friction comes from the battle between Sarah and Abigail. We see Rachel Weisz playing the role of the cold, calculating power-behind-the-throne. If you've seen her in more traditional roles, this is a sharp pivot into someone much more manipulative and sharp-edged. Opposite her is Emma Stone, who starts as a literal "scullery maid" and weaponizes her supposed innocence to climb the social ladder. It’s a masterclass in manipulation. If your teen is obsessed with the social hierarchy of shows like Succession or the backstabbing of high-stakes reality TV, they’ll recognize the moves here, even if the setting is three centuries old.
There is a specific kind of trap with movies like this. We often assume that because characters are wearing wigs and silk breeches, the content is automatically "prestige" and therefore safe for a wider audience. It’s a similar logic to why people get caught off guard by The Bounty. Just because it's based on historical events doesn't mean it isn't loaded with graphic situations.
The Favourite is a "crude, grimy, seedy, bawdy drama." It doesn't care about being wholesome. It cares about showing how power rots people from the inside out. The "lust, intrigue and deceit" mentioned by critics isn't just background noise; it’s the entire point. If you’re looking for something to watch with a kid who has a history project due, this will likely provide more awkwardness than actual helpful facts. Keep this one for a solo watch or a night when the kids are firmly out of the house.
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