Overview
A surprising friendship blossoms between a queen and her unlikely companion, challenging the norms of royalty.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- warm
- witty
- wistful
- historical film night
- quiet weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film entertaining and visually polished, with Judi Dench's commanding performance and the central friendship compensating for an imbalanced narrative and questionable historical liberties.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim form a devoted alliance despite their radically unequal positions within the royal household.
Abdul's position as an Indian Muslim servant in the late Victorian court makes the friendship inseparable from British imperial hierarchy.
Royal jubilees, palace interiors, court costumes, and formal compositions create a visually detailed Victorian world.
Victoria questions the restrictions of her long-held position and joyfully reconnects with her humanity through Abdul's companionship.
Films like Victoria & Abdul, and why
The Favourite
shared historical drama, royal setting, class tension, and central relationship shaped by social hierarchy
The Queen
shared biographical period drama, british aristocratic setting, witty social observation, and a powerful older woman at the center
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
shared historical friendship drama, cross-cultural encounter, colonial context, and gentle emotional tone
Gandhi
shared period biopic framework, british imperial setting, political pressure, and a charismatic central performance
Movie Details
- Director
- Stephen Frears
- Release Date
- 2017-09-13
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (1230)
Cast
- Judi Dench
- Ali Fazal
- Tim Pigott-Smith
- Suzy Eddie Izzard
- Adeel Akhtar
- Michael Gambon
- Paul Higgins
- Olivia Williams
- Fenella Woolgar
- Julian Wadham
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- 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 Victoria & Abdul about?
- An aging Queen Victoria finds unexpected companionship and renewed humanity in Abdul Karim, an Indian clerk whose presence unsettles the rigid British court.
- What is Victoria & Abdul like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Victoria & Abdul as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Victoria & Abdul violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Victoria & Abdul.
- What did critics think of Victoria & Abdul?
- Critics broadly found the film entertaining and visually polished, with Judi Dench's commanding performance and the central friendship compensating for an imbalanced narrative and questionable historical liberties.
- Which films are like Victoria & Abdul?
- Films with a similar feel include The Favourite, The Queen, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and Gandhi.
- How long is Victoria & Abdul?
- Victoria & Abdul runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Victoria & Abdul?
- In United States, Victoria & Abdul streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
