Othello
A volatile Shakespearean tragedy in which a trusted ensign weaponizes suspicion against a celebrated general's marriage.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- brooding
- operatic
- intimate
- classic drama night
- literary adaptation viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film highly entertaining, with excellent performances from Laurence Fishburne and Kenneth Branagh despite feeling less than the sum of its parts.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Othello is a Moor in Venetian society, and his position as an outsider compounds Iago's campaign against his marriage.
Iago engineers suspicion through insinuation, staged evidence, and strategic manipulation of Othello and the surrounding characters.
The film foregrounds escalating suspicion, rage, and marital betrayal in a heightened tragic register.
Oliver Parker adapts Shakespeare's Othello, retaining its tragic plot of jealousy, deception, and downfall.
Films like Othello, and why
Romeo + Juliet
Shakespearean tragedy, forbidden marriage, jealousy, and psychologically intense performances
Richard III
Shakespeare adaptation centered on manipulation, political intrigue, betrayal, and stylized period drama
The Age of Innocence
Literary period romance shaped by jealousy, social pressure, and tragic emotional conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Oliver Parker
- Release Date
- 1995-12-15
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (153)
Cast
- Laurence Fishburne
- Irène Jacob
- Kenneth Branagh
- Nathaniel Parker
- Michael Maloney
- Anna Patrick
- Nicholas Farrell
- Indra Ové
- Michael Sheen
- John Savident
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- 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 Othello about?
- A volatile Shakespearean tragedy in which a trusted ensign weaponizes suspicion against a celebrated general's marriage.
- What is Othello like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Othello as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Othello violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Othello as moderate.
- What did critics think of Othello?
- Critics broadly found the film highly entertaining, with excellent performances from Laurence Fishburne and Kenneth Branagh despite feeling less than the sum of its parts.
- Which films are like Othello?
- Films with a similar feel include Romeo + Juliet, Richard III, and The Age of Innocence.
- How long is Othello?
- Othello runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Othello?
- In United States, Othello is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
