Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- sweeping
- intense
- volatile
- historical epic night
- war film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly admired the film’s epic scale, battle sequences, and the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby, while finding its compressed historical narrative and bloated direction uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film moves rapidly through Napoleon’s rise, military campaigns, imperial power, and downfall while centering his relationship with Josephine.
Large-scale battle sequences emphasize cavalry, artillery, mud, snow, water, and bodily peril with highly crafted period imagery.
Napoleon’s relentless pursuit of military success and political power forms the film’s central trajectory.
Napoleon’s volatile, addictive relationship with Josephine repeatedly intersects with his identity and authority as emperor.
Films like Napoleon, and why
Kingdom of Heaven
grand-scale historical warfare, imperial ambition, and an emotionally complicated central marriage
Alexander
biographical historical epic combining political power, military campaigns, and a commanding lead performance
The Last Emperor
lavish period spectacle focused on a controversial ruler's ascent, authority, and private life
The Imitation Game
ambitious historical war drama portraying a national leader through intimate psychological and romantic conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Release Date
- 2023-11-22
- Runtime
- 158 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (3276)
Cast
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Vanessa Kirby
- Tahar Rahim
- Rupert Everett
- Mark Bonnar
- Paul Rhys
- Ben Miles
- Riana Duce
- Edouard Philipponnat
- Miles Jupp
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Apple TV Store
- 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 Napoleon about?
- A sweeping, bruising portrait of Napoleon’s ascent and collapse, refracted through his volatile bond with Josephine.
- What is Napoleon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Napoleon as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Napoleon violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Napoleon as graphic.
- What did critics think of Napoleon?
- Critics broadly admired the film’s epic scale, battle sequences, and the performances of Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby, while finding its compressed historical narrative and bloated direction uneven.
- Which films are like Napoleon?
- Films with a similar feel include Kingdom of Heaven, Alexander, The Last Emperor, and The Imitation Game.
- How long is Napoleon?
- Napoleon runs 158 minutes.
- Where can I watch Napoleon?
- In United States, Napoleon streams on Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Channel.
