Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- oppressive
- regal
- historical drama night
- period film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually impressive and strongly acted by its well-matched leads, while judging its period politics and historical drama uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mary and Elizabeth struggle to exercise independent authority while male advisers, husbands, and religious leaders attempt to define their rule.
The queens communicate through letters, making written exchange a recurring structure for their fear, fascination, and competition.
Royal ceremonies, court interiors, elaborate costumes, and formal compositions emphasize the visual pageantry of sixteenth-century monarchy.
The film dramatizes the relationship between Mary and Elizabeth and has been criticized by historians for inaccuracies and compressed plotting.
Films like Mary Queen of Scots, and why
The Favourite
shared historical court intrigue, rival female sovereigns, lavish period design, and political drama
Elizabeth
shared sixteenth-century monarchy, religious conflict, royal succession, and stylized historical drama
Outlaw King
shared Scottish history, dynastic conflict, rebellion, and richly mounted medieval-to-early-modern spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Josie Rourke
- Release Date
- 2018-12-07
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (1974)
Cast
- Saoirse Ronan
- Margot Robbie
- Jack Lowden
- David Tennant
- Guy Pearce
- Gemma Chan
- James McArdle
- Ismael Cruz Cordova
- Martin Compston
- Joe Alwyn
Where to watch in United States
- 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 Mary Queen of Scots about?
- Two charismatic queens confront succession, betrayal, and patriarchal power as their rival claims reshape the future of Britain.
- What is Mary Queen of Scots like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mary Queen of Scots as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Mary Queen of Scots violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Mary Queen of Scots as moderate.
- What did critics think of Mary Queen of Scots?
- Critics broadly found the film visually impressive and strongly acted by its well-matched leads, while judging its period politics and historical drama uneven.
- Which films are like Mary Queen of Scots?
- Films with a similar feel include The Favourite, Elizabeth, and Outlaw King.
- How long is Mary Queen of Scots?
- Mary Queen of Scots runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mary Queen of Scots?
- In United States, Mary Queen of Scots is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
