Overview
A love that defies boundaries and challenges the status quo in a tumultuous era.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- sincere
- romantic
- moving
- historical drama night
- romantic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film well acted, competently crafted, absorbing, and worthy as a true-life love story, while noting its conventional and sometimes sentimental treatment.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Seretse and Ruth’s marriage directly challenges colonial authority, local anxieties, and South African apartheid politics.
British officials attempt to manage Bechuanaland’s leadership and its relationship with neighboring apartheid South Africa.
The couple must preserve their relationship while addressing succession, citizenship, and the future of their people.
The film contrasts British interiors and official spaces with Botswana landscapes and royal environments.
Films like A United Kingdom, and why
Loving
true-life interracial romance confronting institutional racism and political opposition
Belle
biographical historical drama about a couple whose relationship challenges racial injustice
The Last Emperor
uplifting period romance shaped by colonial politics, prejudice, and social change
The Painted Veil
well-acted historical romance centered on love under oppressive racial structures
Movie Details
- Director
- Amma Asante
- Release Date
- 2016-11-25
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (554)
Cast
- David Oyelowo
- Rosamund Pike
- Tom Felton
- Jack Davenport
- Terry Pheto
- Laura Carmichael
- Jessica Oyelowo
- Vusi Kunene
- Nicholas Lyndhurst
- Arnold Oceng
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is A United Kingdom about?
- A devoted royal couple confronts colonial power, racial prejudice, and political exile as their marriage reshapes Botswana’s future.
- What is A United Kingdom like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A United Kingdom as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A United Kingdom violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in A United Kingdom.
- What did critics think of A United Kingdom?
- Critics broadly found the film well acted, competently crafted, absorbing, and worthy as a true-life love story, while noting its conventional and sometimes sentimental treatment.
- Which films are like A United Kingdom?
- Films with a similar feel include Loving, Belle, The Last Emperor, and The Painted Veil.
- How long is A United Kingdom?
- A United Kingdom runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch A United Kingdom?
- In United States, A United Kingdom is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
