Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- bombastic
- witty
- lush
- history film night
- shakespeare film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly admired the cast, visual recreation of Elizabethan London, and energetic storytelling while faulting the confusing time shifts, historical implausibility, and bombastic Shakespeare authorship premise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film presents Edward de Vere as Shakespeare's true author while reworking Tudor political history.
Edward's writing must be concealed behind William Shakespeare as a public frontman.
Digitally enhanced Elizabethan London, candle-lit interiors, and recreated theatrical spaces dominate the film's presentation.
The plot links Elizabethan succession politics with secret lovers, rival factions, and disputed royal lineage.
Films like Anonymous, and why
Shakespeare in Love
lush historical intrigue, contested authorship, and theatrical power struggles
Elizabeth
Elizabethan court politics, romantic entanglements, and stylized period spectacle
The Other Boleyn Girl
literary ambition, political conspiracy, and revisionist historical drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Roland Emmerich
- Release Date
- 2011-10-21
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (815)
Cast
- Jamie Campbell Bower
- Rhys Ifans
- David Thewlis
- Joely Richardson
- Vanessa Redgrave
- Sebastian Armesto
- Rafe Spall
- Edward Hogg
- Xavier Samuel
- Sam Reid
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 Anonymous about?
- A lavish revisionist Tudor conspiracy recasts Shakespeare's literary legacy as the dangerous secret of a nobleman trapped between art, desire, and power.
- What is Anonymous like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Anonymous as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Anonymous violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Anonymous as moderate.
- What did critics think of Anonymous?
- Critics broadly admired the cast, visual recreation of Elizabethan London, and energetic storytelling while faulting the confusing time shifts, historical implausibility, and bombastic Shakespeare authorship premise.
- Which films are like Anonymous?
- Films with a similar feel include Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, and The Other Boleyn Girl.
- How long is Anonymous?
- Anonymous runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch Anonymous?
- In United States, Anonymous is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
