Overview
A forbidden romance unfolds against the backdrop of a tumultuous monarchy.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- oppressive
- romantic
- historical film night
- costume drama marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a lavish, sumptuous costume drama supported by a compelling historical story and strong performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Caroline and Struensee's secret affair threatens the reform project carried out through Christian VII.
Struensee uses the king's influence to introduce sweeping reforms opposed by conservative court interests.
The film emphasizes royal interiors, period costumes, court ceremony, and the social hierarchy of eighteenth-century Denmark.
Caroline's letter to her children provides a framing perspective for the remembered royal affair.
Films like A Royal Affair, and why
The Duchess
shared lavish period setting, forbidden romance, political upheaval, and tragic melodrama
Elizabeth
shared historical romance, court intrigue, constrained women, and sumptuous costume design
Belle
shared Enlightenment-era politics, secret love, reformist idealism, and historical tragedy
The Favourite
shared royal court setting, psychological instability, romantic betrayal, and oppressive power structures
Movie Details
- Director
- Nikolaj Arcel
- Release Date
- 2012-03-29
- Runtime
- 137 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (964)
Cast
- Alicia Vikander
- Mads Mikkelsen
- Mikkel Boe Følsgaard
- Trine Dyrholm
- David Dencik
- Thomas W. Gabrielsson
- Cyron Melville
- Bent Mejding
- Harriet Walter
- Laura Bro
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
- 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 A Royal Affair about?
- A forbidden love affair at an eighteenth-century Danish court accelerates an Enlightenment reform movement before royal power turns against its architects.
- What is A Royal Affair like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of A Royal Affair as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is A Royal Affair violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in A Royal Affair as mild.
- What did critics think of A Royal Affair?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a lavish, sumptuous costume drama supported by a compelling historical story and strong performances.
- Which films are like A Royal Affair?
- Films with a similar feel include The Duchess, Elizabeth, Belle, and The Favourite.
- How long is A Royal Affair?
- A Royal Affair runs 137 minutes.
- Where can I watch A Royal Affair?
- In United States, A Royal Affair streams on Philo, Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel.
